One of America's largest fireworks shows will soon light up the Cincinnati skies.
Riverfest, the Queen City's annual Labor Day affair, returns Sept. 6. The all-day event features music, food and family-friendly entertainment before concluding with a 50-minute Rozzi Fireworks display on both sides of the Ohio River.
This year's Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks show, which also celebrates Riverfest's 50th anniversary and the United States' 250th, is expected to be among the nation's largest displays. According to organizers, the show will be more immersive, with organizers stating that spectators will be "inside of the fireworks."
Here's everything you need to know about Riverfest and the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks.
When is Riverfest 2026?
The annual celebration
occurs from 3 to 10 p.m. Sept. 6 at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove.
When do the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks start?
The 50th annual Rozzi Fireworks show, hosted by the cities of Cincinnati, Covington, Newport and Bellevue, kicks off with a special drone show at 9:01 p.m. Sept. 6 followed by fireworks, which will begin around 9:05 p.m. on Sept. 6. the whole show is expected to last for 50 minutes.
Tarp setup begins at 3 p.m. on Sept. 6. Anything placed before that time will be removed and destroyed, according to WEBN's FAQ page. Tarps and blankets can only be placed with painter's, gaffer or masking tapes. They cannot be secured with duct tape, rocks, bricks, sand or gallon jugs of water.
The choreographed show, with accompanying music, will also broadcast live on WEBN and WKRC.
What's new for the 50th WEBN fireworks?
The 2026 WEBN fireworks show will feature new multi-location pyrotechnics, drone formations and architectural effects, according to a press release. A second barge zone west of the Taylor-Southgate Bridge also will be added this year, creating what organizers describe as a "panoramic, wraparound fireworks experience."
Are boats allowed to tie up this year?
Yes, boats can watch the fireworks from three designated anchorage areas on the Ohio River. According to aFacebook post from the U.S. Coast Guard Ohio Valley Sector, the recreational viewing areas will be managed by the Hamilton Boat Club, and spectators should follow directions from local personnel to secure a spot on the water.
The safety zone for the fireworks show will be in effect from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 6 and will span Ohio River miles 469.2 to 470.5 and Licking River miles 0.0 to 0.3. Vessels must be anchored in the spectator zones before 7 p.m., as traffic in and out of the area will be prohibited.
The no-wake zone, which extends from Ohio River mile markers 463 to 477 and Licking River mile markers 0.0 to 0.3, will be in effect from noon Sept. 6 until 3 a.m. Sept. 7.
A 15-minute barge cooldown will follow the fireworks display. Vessels can begin departing upriver or downriver after the show, but the Coast Guard advises boaters to be patient. Law enforcement officers will be on site managing traffic.
Do you need tickets for Riverfest?
No, Riverfest is free and open to the public.
What you can and cannot bring inside Riverfest/Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks
The following items are prohibited at Riverfest 2026:
- Large bags, framed backpacks and luggage.
- Weapons including but not limited to: knives, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, etc. People in possession of those items will be asked to remove the items from the park or dispose of them.
- Outside food and beverage, but empty plastic reusable bottles are permitted.
- Alcohol.
- Illegal drugs and paraphernalia.
- Cans, glass or metal containers.
- Coolers unless medically required. If required, an individual-sized soft-sided cooler will be permitted but will be searched and tagged at the gate.
- Animals/pets, except for service animals.
- Aerosol cans.
- Balloons, beach balls or other inflatable items.
- Fireworks or incendiary devices of any kind.
- Musical instruments.
- Noise-making devices, including whistles and air horns.
- Hula-Hoops of any size.
- Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, scooters, hoverboards, bicycles, carts, segways and personal motorized vehicles. However, all modes of ADA transportation are acceptable.
- Tools.
- Pamphlets, flyers and handbills unless approved by management.
- Large "golf" umbrellas are prohibited. Personal, folding and collapsible umbrellas will be permitted.
- Any other items deemed inappropriate or unacceptable by management.
Road closures and parking information for Riverfest
Several roads and bridges in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport will close for the festivities and fireworks. Traffic will also be rerouted in various places.
Covington has yet to announce a list of road closures and parking rules for Riverfest 2026, but here's what we know about traffic in Cincinnati and Newport.
Cincinnati traffic for Riverfest
Several roads near and around the Ohio River will close to accommodate the crowds expected to watch the fireworks from the waterfront.
Access to the Cincinnati riverfront will be limited to pedestrians only. Third Street and all streets north of Third Street will be open so people can access points throughout Downtown.
Here's what will close:
- The Purple People Bridge.
- The Roebling Suspension Bridge, Taylor Southgate Bridge and Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will all close at 6 p.m. to vehicles and pedestrians. Pedestrians may cross on the west side of the Taylor Southgate Bridge until 7:30 p.m. and the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge until 8 p.m.
- Local access to the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (I-471) from Ohio will close at 7 p.m.
The actual timing of these closures may change based on traffic volume. Drivers are encouraged to reduce their speed, be cautious and use alternate routes when traveling around the event area.
Newport traffic for Riverfest
Here's what to expect with road closures and other rules in Newporton Sept. 6:
- Riverboat Row, west of port entry to Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 8 a.m.
- Columbia Street, north of Third Street: closes at 8 a.m.
- Purple People Bridge: closes at 8 a.m. and will reopen at 2 a.m. Sept. 7.
- Taylor Southgate Bridge: closes to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 7:30 p.m.
- Monmouth Street (Third to 11th streets): closes at 7:30 p.m. No parking on Monmouth Street after 6:30 p.m.
- Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 7:30 p.m.
- I-471 ramps to Route 8 (Exit 5) both north and south: close at 7:30 p.m.
- 10th Street, between Saratoga and York streets: closes at 7:30 p.m.
- All other I-471 ramps: close at 8:30 p.m.
- Licking Pike (Route 9), north of Aspen Drive: closes at 9 p.m.
- I-471 North will remain open during the event unless the safety of the motorist determines it needs to be closed.
Here's what to know if you're leaving Newport after Riverfest:
- All traffic leaving the event will be routed to I-471 or I-275. Follow instructions even if the route differs from your preferred path. You can adjust your route once you're on the interstate.
- At approximately 9 p.m., Monmouth Street will reopen and change to a one-way street going south, to send all traffic to I-471.
- All traffic west of York Street will be directed south to 12th Street, which will become a one-way street going west to send all traffic to I-275.
- All traffic near Dave Cowens Drive will be sent to I-471 North or South.
- All traffic from Riverboat Row and Levee Garage on Columbia Street must make a right on West Third Street. A right turn will take you around the Fourth Street roundabout, where you will be directed toward Wilder (AA Highway or I-275 East/West).
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Going to Riverfest? What to know about 360-degree WEBN Fireworks show
