Summertime Bliss: Cincinnati Events 2022
Written by Molly Spitzer. Photography by Chelsie Walter.
Coney Islands Summerfair
Celebrate over 300 different artists from the Greater Cincinnati area this year at Coney Island's 50th annual Summerfair on June 3 through June 5. Day admission is $10, and admission for all three days is $15. Check out the website to observe art from different categories and forms from last year's winners!
Cincy Fringe Fest
Starting June 3 through June 18, Over-the-Rhine will be hosting another annual Fringe Fest. This ongoing event is designed to highlight theater, dance, art, music, and experimentation of all art forms imaginable! Produced by Known Theater, Fringe Fest holds many events at the theater and throughout dozens of areas around O.T.R. for its hundreds of artists who attend. Fringe is open to new art forms and emphasizes the importance of independence and freedom of expression for artists who participate.
35th Annual Juneteenth Festival
Come partake in Cincinnati's 35th annual week of celebrations, starting with the Wade in the Water on June 12, raising the Juneteenth flag ceremonies, and a two-day festival on June 17 and 18 at Eden Park. With live music and dancing, food, kids’ activities, storytellers, and a parade, this is an event you don’t want to miss!
A Nanofestival of Black Joy, Liberation & Expression, with Nikki Giovanni
The Urban Consulate welcomes poet, educator, and activist Nikki Giovanni for an evening at the Mercantile Library. In addition to a conversation with Giovanni, there will be a film screening and talk with Gee Horton and Shay Narkter, and music by DJ Arie. Tickets are free and open to all ages.
Paloozanoire Juneteenth Block Party
Paloozanoire was founded in 2019 (with the help of past interviewee Rico Grant!) to celebrate and promote people of color through the arts, entrepreneurship, and building connections. On June 17, they will host their third annual Juneteenth block party at the Banks with family activities, art, food, networking opportunities, and more! Their block party is free and open to all ages!
Juneteenth Craft Festival
Esoteric Brewing and Cincinnati Music Accelerator come together for a night of fun and celebration of Black liberation and entrepreneurship. Welcome to all ages, you can drink and eat with the whole family on June 18 at Esoteric’s brew lounge in Walnut Hills.
Hamilton Juneteenth Celebration
Hamilton County will celebrate Juneteenth for its second year at Marcum Park on June 18. The day will consist of festivities with food vendors, arts, and more. Honor our freedoms with celebrations and community engagement this year!
Loc Fest Cincinnati
Woodward Theater will be hosting a celebration on June 19 for a celebration of hair and culture. Tickets for the event can be found on Eventbrite.
Cincinnati Pride Festival and Parade at Sawyer Point
Cincinnati Pride is returning this year on June 25! The city of Cincinnati is anticipating space for 60,000 participants! The parade will start at 11 a.m. at 7th street and Central Avenue downtown and finish at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove for day-long festivities.
Cincinnati Music Festival
Previously known as the Cincinnati Jazz Festival, Paul Brown Stadium will be headlining Ari Lennox, Charlie Wilson, Janet Jackson, and many more talented Black artists this July from 21 to July 23! Tickets start at $60.
Guinness Cincinnati Celtic Festival
Participate in a free event July 8 through July 10 to celebrate Celtic Heritage at E. Freedom Way Downtown Cincinnati! The event will also host live music, food and drinks, dancing performers, and more! Witness the Great American Tattoo – a performance of military display and music transformed into an art form – and participate in games such as the tallest tale, best toast, or most freckles contests'.
Cincinnati Blues Fest
The city of Cincinnati will be hosting its 28th annual Blues Fest at Schmidlapp Event Lawn on Smale Riverfront Park this year on July 16. Tickets for the event start at $25, and gates open at 2 p.m. Headliners include Toronzo Cannon, Shawn Murphy, and Marquise Knox!
The Black Family Reunion
This August, Cincinnati will host its 34th annual Black Family Reunion! Founded in 1989 by Dr. Dorthy, founder of the BLANK, this event only continues to grow and is annually held on the 3rd weekend of August. This year's event will last from August 18 through August 21 and will kick off with a breakfast followed by event speakers, a parade, a job fair, concert series, and more! Presented by U.C. Health, the event will be at Sawyer Point.