4 days of festivities likely to attract more than a million spectators
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will be glowing brightly nightly from Thursday through Sunday. BLINK, Illuminated by ArtsWave, returns after a three-year hiatus, featuring more than 100 high-tech lighted murals, sculptures, projections and other installations.
Calling itself “the nation’s largest light, art and projection mapping experience,” BLINK promises that visitors can immerse themselves in the fusion of art and technology across 30-plus city blocks in the Findlay Market Zone, the Over-the-Rhine Zone, Downtown Zone, The Banks Zone and the Covington Zone. To plan your experience, view the BLINK map. Printed maps also will be available throughout the BLINK zones.
The event—from 7 to 11 p.m. each night—is free and requires no tickets, with the exception of TIMISIEN by the Architects of Air, a touring installation of monumental luminaria that has been experienced in 43 countries since 1992. TIMISIEN will be in the Over-the-Rhine Zone.
Most interactive light exhibits and displays are on a continuous loop, running between three and eight minutes. New in 2022 is the Eyes Up Drone Show, a 300-drone performance over the Ohio River at 9 and 10 p.m. Thursday and 8 and 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
This will be the third BLINK Cincinnati. In 2019, the event drew an estimated 1.3 million viewers, officials said. During its first year in 2017, officials estimated attendance at more than 1 million. It is believed to be the biggest attended event in the region’s history.
This year’s festivities also will feature the BLINK parade at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Fifth Street from Broadway Street to Elm Street.
In addition to the light installations, BLINK is offering 86 music artists on seven stages across the venues. Most shows are an hour long between 7 and 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 7 and 10 p.m. Sunday. Food and drinks will be available in multiple locations.
Driving near the light projections will not be permitted; numerous parking garages and lots will be open for a fee. The cities of Cincinnati and Covington have announced a number of traffic restrictions during the evenings in the Downtown and Over-the-Rhine areas. Visitors are encouraged to carpool and use public transportation when possible. Metro and Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) are offering park-and-ride locations and free bus service after 6 p.m. during BLINK. Visit the Metro and TANK websites for information.
Traffic and parking information, including road closures, can be found on the city of Cincinnati’s website, as well as the city of Covington’s website.
The Cincinnati Bell Connector, Cincinnati’s streetcar, will offer free rides along its route, running between the Findlay Market and The Banks areas. The city says it will add extra streetcars for BLINK.
Don’t want to walk? BB Riverboats in Newport is offering downtown riverfront cruises from 6:30 to 8 and 9 to 10:30 each night (Saturday is sold out) to view the illuminations. For tickets and information, visit BB’s website.
When you need to take a break, ArtsWave R&R+ will be available at the Aronoff Center for the Arts and the Music Hall Ballroom. Refreshments, restrooms, selfie stations, neon lights and more will be available. ArtsWave R&R+ is presented in partnership with Cincinnati Arts Association and Friends of Music Hall, which will also host BLINK in the Ballroom, featuring theater organist Trent Sims playing a medley of new and classic songs on the brightly lit 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.
