BLINK Cincinnati
October 8–11
Back for its fifth edition, BLINK is a four-day citywide art and installation festival spanning more than 30 blocks from OTR to NKY. OvThere will be many events to accompany BLINK, as well as logistical changes around the event. Click here to go to the official website for more information about the event itself.
Events
Dates to most official BLINK events and events coinciding with the four-day festival have not yet been announced. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
Tuesday
BLINK Run the Night
Elm Street Plaza, 7:30
Nighttime run through downtown Cincinnati, complete with an immersive 2.6 mile journey through light, art, music, and creativity. Registration includes early access to select BLINK installations, commemorative finisher medal, opportunity to collaborate on an interactive art display, premium vendors, and more.
Register here
Thursday
Opening Ceremony
TQL Stadium, 4–9p
BLINK Parade
Mehring Way, 8p
The parade will start at Paycor Stadium and end at Great American Ball Park.
Click here to watch a video of the route
Transit
The most preferred mode of transportation to get to BLINK would be to find a park and ride and take the fare free Metro (free from 6p–midnight each night of the event). And, while it is encouraged for all visitors to use public transportation to get to the event, there are many different parking options and all parking garages outside of the BLINK footprint will be open at event pricing. This year you are also able to reserve parking. For all things parking and accessible transit, click here.
Tip: Park on the outskirts of the BLINK festival footprint and walk, bus, Redbike, e-scoot, or take the streetcar to get to your destination.
Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA)
CincyLink, an express bus from Butler County to Cincinnati, will shuttle attendees from Park and Rides to the Riverfront Transit Center from 5:30–11p each night of BLINK. The last shuttle will depart from the RTC at 11:30p to return to the Butler County Park and Rides.
Cincinnati Metro
Routes will be disrupted during BLINK weekend (October 17–20) and all service from Government Square will be moved to the Riverfront Transit Center. All Metro service will be fare free from 6p–midnight each night of BLINK.
Cincinnati Red Bike
Nonprofit station-based bike share system with dozens of stations around downtown and NKY. Download the Red Bike app to ride.
The Connector
Fare FREE streetcar providing ADA accessible transport from north of Over-the-Rhine south to The Banks.
Electric Scooters
Bird and Lime scooters available for rent seven days a week from 6a to 11p. Download one of their respective apps to ride.
Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK)
Including the Southbank Shuttle, a public trolley system that serves the cities of Bellevue, Newport, and Covington in Northern Kentucky; traveling to and from downtown Cincinnati in Ohio. The cost to ride the shuttle is $1 each trip. All TANK service will be fare free from 6p–midnight each night of BLINK.
Note: The Southbank Shuttle will be on a detour for all four nights of BLINK after 6p. It will connect BLINK goers with one stop in Newport, one stop in Covington, and a stop at the Riverfront Transit Center.
Tip: You can download the Transit app while you are in town to help you navigate the bus and streetcar. You can also pay for bus fare in the app.
Accessibility
BLINK festival planners, led by Accessibility Director, Holly Maniatty, have partnered with All In Events to ensure inclusivity and to provide access for patrons with disabilities, including accessible:
- Viewing areas
- Drop-off and pick-up points throughout the festival
- ASL interpreting for events and music
- and so much more
Click here for complete information regarding accessibility at BLINK.
Entertainment
There is a full lineup of entertainment all four days of the festival, featuring dozens of musicians AND performances, at several different venues. Click here for information.
Unofficial Guides
Blinkfoot
Custom routes, including family friendly and date night options.
BLONK Cincy
An unofficial app for a rogue guide to BLINK.
