A major Midwestern town, Cincinnati is a vibrant cultural centre that offers a plethora of choices—from museums to buzzing nightlife and a lively festival schedule. The city’s bustling festival calendar celebrates its rich history and cultural heritage. Your options include nationally renowned music festivals across different genres, food and wine festivals, arts fests and ethnic community events. Summer and fall seasons are particularly busy times—with numerous cool festivals organised to take advantage of the pleasant weather—but there are several held in winter too. If you want to know which ones you must absolutely check out, then read on for the most popular festivals in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1. Cincinnati International Wine Festival
Held annually in March, Cincinnati International Wine Festival is a must for wine aficionados. As the event is organised by a non-profit, the aim here is to give back to society. Numerous activities are hosted in the fest, allowing you to get a deeper appreciation for wine. The most popular highlights include the Winery Dinner Series (where wine experts partner with renowned chefs in the region to present exquisite multi-course meals with wine pairings) and Grand Tastings (where you can discover wine from over 200 wineries the world over, paired with delicious food). Charity Auction & Luncheon is another popular event where you can enjoy silent and live auctions, along with a gourmet luncheon accompanied by samplings from selected wineries.
Cincinnati International Wine Festival
Address: 11159 Kenwood Rd, Cincinnati
Website: Cincinnati International Wine Festival
Takes place: March
2. Cincinnati Wine and Food Experience
Organised by USA Today Network, Cincinnati Wine and Food Experience is part of a 10-city tour that celebrates local culinary cultures. In the Cincinnati version, you will find the best food, spirits and chefs from in and around the region. Top chefs, sommeliers, food specialists and celebrities come together to participate and interact. There are cooking demonstrations, special sessions with experts and unique VIP experiences organised throughout the one-day event. The most popular event is Grand Tastings where you get a chance to taste amazing food paired with beverages.
Cincinnati Wine and Food Experience
Address: Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, 705 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati
Website: Cincinnati Wine and Food Experience
Takes place: October
3. Cincinnati Pride Festival
Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival is a colourful, family-friendly event that celebrates the LGBTQ community. The festival is held every June on the fourth Saturday and typically has a fun mix of music shows, drag queens and dance parties, along with scrumptious food and spirits. There’s also a Family Fun Zone that offers a host of games and activities for kids.
Cincinnati Pride Festival
Address: Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, 705 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati
Website: Cincinnati Pride Festival
Takes place: June
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4. Bunbury Music Festival
Bunbury Music Festival is a popular three-day event held typically at Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman’s Cove in Cincinnati. With a lineup numbering over 100 acts, the festival brings to the city several top performers across different music genres. Some of the previous artists that have performed here include Jack White, Post Malone, Tom Petty, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg.
Bunbury Music Festival
Address: Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, 705 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati
Website: Bunbury Music Festival
Takes place: May to June
5. Cincinnati May Festival
Experience exhilarating choral music at this festival that brings together Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and May Festival Chorus. Spread over a couple of weekends, the chorus made up of over 100 singers performs with renowned artists and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to present unforgettable concerts.
Cincinnati May Festival
Address: Geraldine Chavez Center for Choral Arts, 1241 Elm St, Cincinnati
Website: Cincinnati May Festival
Takes place: May
6. Cincinnati Music Festival
Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati is where thousands of visitors from around the country head each year to enjoy performances across genres of hip-hop, jazz, R&B and soul music. The festival is held over three days and is today the biggest of its kind nationally. Some of the artists who have participated previously include the likes of Duke Ellington, Mary J. Blige, Miles Davis and Aretha Franklin. On the stadium grounds, you will find plenty to check out, including brand shows, shopping, food/beverage stalls and fun games.
Cincinnati Music Festival
Address: 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Website: Cincinnati Music Festival
Takes place:July
7. Cincinnati Coffee Festival
Fans of coffee will find much to enjoy in this festival where coffee brewers, roasters from around the region, coffee shops, bakers and chocolatiers congregate. In addition to sampling delicious offerings from the participants (and buying them), you will also be able to enjoy popular events like Latte Art Throwdown (which tries to find the best latte artist) and Latte Art in Action (where you can try your hand at latte art). Additionally, skill demonstrations, live music and other related events are also held.
Cincinnati Coffee Festival
Address: Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St, Cincinnati
Website: Cincinnati Coffee Festival
Takes place: October
8. Cincinnati Food Truck Festival
Enjoy in one place food from the most iconic food trucks in the region in this one-day festival. Held at Summit Park in Blue Ash, more than 30 food trucks gather to make it a day of great food and fun times. Get to taste a wide variety of cuisine—ethnic, native or fusion—with craft beer on the side. The festival includes live music shows that go on throughout the day.
Cincinnati Food Truck Festival
Address: Summit Park, 4335 Glendale-Milford Rd, Blue Ash
Website: Cincinnati Food Truck Festival
Takes place: Usually held in June
9. Cincinnati Moon Festival
Cincinnati Moon Festival is a great way to learn more about Chinese culture and heritage. Hosted by the local Chinese community, this one-day event is held during one of the most important Chinese celebrations—Mid-Autumn Festival. The fest typically features cultural shows by Chinese artists, interactive kids activities and movie screenings. The highlights are the ethereal display of Chinese lanterns that light up the venue in the evening and, of course, the sampling of the festival’s traditional dish—the moon cake. You will also be able to savour other specialties of Chinese cuisine thanks to the food stalls set up.
Cincinnati Moon Festival
Address: Fountain Square, 520 Vine St, Cincinnati
Website: Cincinnati Moon Festival
Takes place: Usually held in September
10. Vinoklet Winery Fall Festival
At Vinoklet Winery Fall Festival, enjoy great wines along with delicious food. A major winery of the region, Vinoklet Winery holds the festival on its beautiful grounds, offering wonderful views of the lush greenery around. Relax with live music and scrumptious food at the restaurant while taking in the view. Wander around the stalls set up by local crafters and artists or head to the petting zoo with your kids.
Vinoklet Winery Fall Festival
Address: Vinoklet Winery And Restuarnt, 11069 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati
Website: Vinoklet Winery Fall Festival
Takes place: September/ October
11. Cliftonfest
Held over a weekend in October in the business district of Clifton on Ludlow Avenue, this popular art and music festival gathers together music performers and local artists. The festival’s top draws are the live art drawings on the pavements and live music shows. You will also find artists’ booths where you can pick up pieces if you want. A much-loved feature of the festival is Pet Parade, where you can join pet owners as they walk down the avenue with their pets.
Cliftonfest
Address: Clifton Plaza, 333 Ludlow Ave, Cincinnati
Website: Cliftonfest
Takes place: October
12. St. Jude Oktoberfest
Things are coming together for the Oktoberfest! Can’t wait for this weekend! #stjudesoktoberfest
Posted by St Jude's Oktoberfest on Friday, 23 September 2016
Experience an authentic German-themed Oktoberfest that is held on the grounds of the city’s St. Jude Church. This one-day festival offers loads of fun with many great entertainment options—including live music, fun booths, games, cool rides for children and loads of German American food and beer. The festival also includes a 5K marathon that is, however, held separately.
St. Jude Oktoberfest
Address: St. Jude Church, 5924 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati
Website: St. Jude Oktoberfest
Takes place: September
Explore Cincinnati's vibe through festivals
Festivals are a great way to understand a city and its culture better. You get to experience the local specialties and quirks in a relaxed atmosphere along with friends and family, which also helps make fun memories. These popular festivals in Cincinnati, Ohio, are the best ones to start your exploration, but the city hosts several more great events—such as Appalachian Festival, PNC Festival of Lights and Cincy Winter Beerfest.
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