It's almost time for the nation's largest light, art and projection-mapping festival. Are you ready?
Blink Cincinnatireturns Oct. 8-11, bringing more than 80 blow-your-mind installations to downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Whether you're a Blink veteran or planning your first visit, a little preparation can go a long way before heading to the four-day festival.
To help you make the most of the experience, The Enquirer asked Amy Fitzgibbons, vice president of marketing and communications for the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, which organizes Blink, to share her top tips for navigating the event.
No need to wander in the dark. Here's how to tackle Blink like a pro.
1. Get to Blink early
According to the Blink website, the festival drew more than 2 million attendees
in 2024. With crowds expected to fill downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky once again, many streets will be closed to vehicle traffic throughout the four-day event.
If you're planning to attend, Fitzgibbons recommends arriving early, around 5 p.m., about two hours before the lights turn on.
That extra time can be spent exploring attractions such as the Asianati Night Market at Court Street Plaza, featuring 17 food vendors, lion dancing, Japanese taiko drumming, a cosplay contest and other entertainment.
Festivalgoers can also visit hospitality hubs at Liberty and Elm streets, along Freedom Way in front of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and near Riverside Drive across from the Roebling Bridge in Covington.
2. Don't expect to see it all in one night
Pace yourself. That's the key to surviving Blink.
This year's festival features more than 80 installations spread across five zones: Over-the-Rhine, Findlay Market, Fountain Square, The Banks and Covington. Seeing everything in a single night is nearly impossible.
Instead, Fitzgibbons recommends that festivalgoers focus on one or two neighboring zones and "really explore" them.
She also suggests attending on Thursday or Sunday, when "crowds tend to be lighter."
3. Don’t overlook Blink during the day
Blink is primarily an evening festival that begins each night at 7 p.m. But Fitzgibbons says visitors shouldn't overlook the festival during the day. Many of the installations, murals and other artworks can be enjoyed before sunset.
On Saturday, Blink will host "Alley Sessions," which will bring more than a dozen artists to Sellew Alley near Findlay Market and Tobacco Alley in Covington from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Visitors can watch murals go from blank walls to finished works of art, then come back after Blink and see many of them again. The permanent murals are one of my favorite reminders that Blink leaves something behind after the lights go out," she said.
4. Check out the must-see attractions
While organizers encourage visitors to experience everything Blink has to offer, they've also identified six can't-miss installations for this year's festival. (Find those picks at bit.ly/mustseeblink.)
Fitzgibbons says that attendees should put Music Hall at the top of their list. The historic building will feature a special America 250 projection and live performance by Brett Bolton, an audiovisual artist from Las Vegas. The performance will combine live drumming with projection and light mapping synced in real time. Shows are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. each night.
5. Park once, then walk or ride
Driving between zones won't be easy because of the street closures, so Fitzgibbons recommends leaving the car behind.
If you're coming from the suburbs or out of town, find a place to park downtown or in Northern Kentucky and use an alternative way to get around. Metro is offering park-and-ride service from Cincinnati State and Crossroads Oakley from 6 p.m. to midnight each night, with buses running to the Riverfront Transit Center.
A one-day group pass for up to four people costs $8 through the Transit app. Individual one-day Blink passes are $2.20, while a four-day pass costs $8.
Once you arrive, Blink is best explored on foot, she added.
6. Download the ArtsWave App
Before heading to the festival, download the ArtsWave app. Through the Blink Hub, visitors can access festival information and exclusive experiences, including hidden menu items created specifically for the event. Think colorful cocktails at Homemakers Bar and Mazunte Centro or a cosmic macaron from Macaron Bar.
Fitzgibbons said these specialty offerings won't appear on restaurants' regular menus, so the app is the only way to discover them.
7. Dress comfortably
Blink is a walking festival, so wear comfortable shoes. You'll likely cover more ground than you expect.
It's also a good idea to dress in layers, especially if your evening plans take you near the river.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here's the ultimate Blink survival guide, according to the experts
