How locals do the nation's largest public art festival — which zones to hit, how to get around, and how to make a whole weekend of it.
Start a free chat →For four nights, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky turn into a giant glowing art show — and you get to walk right through it.
Numbers from BLINK 2026 (Oct 8–11). Next year's dates will be posted here once they're announced.
Pro tip: go over multiple nights to experience them all.
Findlay Market. Great for street food, with plenty of spots to sit, eat, and rest before heading back out.
Over-the-Rhine (OTR). Walkable neighborhood. Expect a packed, energetic street, restaurant, and bar scene.
Fountain District. Watch BLINK's projection mapping light up the historic architecture.
The Banks. The wide-open layout is what makes it a great spot for the drone show.
Covington. Across the river in NKY. New murals, amazing dining options, and a slower pace than downtown.
Things to know before you go.
Parking. Reserve a spot on BLINK's website, or use Park & Ride for a discounted pass through the Transit app.
Drop-off. Park & Ride drops you off at the Riverfront Transit Center. Accessible drop-off points and parking areas are set up near the festival footprint.
Street closures. Streets close in the evening throughout the festival footprint (6:45–11 PM nightly in 2026).
Bridge closure. The Roebling Bridge walkway closes 30 minutes before each drone show. Plan your river crossing around it.
Questions about getting around? That's what a SideKick is for.
BLINK is at night. Make a whole weekend of it.
Coffee + brunch, then Findlay Market.
Breweries, local shops, kid-friendly fun, or a run or bike ride.
BLINK. Let the lights take over.
A SideKick builds your day around your personal vibe — coffee, food, shopping, breweries, or family fun.
Chat with us on WhatsApp first — free. Tell us your vibe and we'll match you with a Cincinnati local who knows exactly where to go between the lights.
$25 for your whole trip, only once you're ready. Love it or get your money back.
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