Your 2022 Cincinnati Music Festival Guide
Cincinnati Music Festival lineup
What’s happening during the Cincinnati Music Festival
Food festivals, Black vendors, keynote speakers, career fairs and more!
The Cincinnati Music Festival, traditionally known as Cincinnati Jazz Fest or the Cincinnati Jazz Festival, will take place at Paul Brown Stadium along the Ohio riverfront. Patrons can purchase tickets online. For discounted group tickets and third-party sales, call the box office at 513-924-0900.
Lineup and Tickets to the Cincinnati Music Festival:
Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Jonathan Butler, Keyshia Cole
Friday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m.
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Janet Jackson, The O’Jays, Tank, After 7, Kirk Whalum
Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
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Ticket prices range from $60 for general admission tickets to $150+ for VIP tickets. To buy tickets directly through the Santangelo Group, Inc., call 513-924-0900. Office hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. Tickets are on sale now. Sponsors include P&G, AARP and Vibe Cincinnati.
Weekend Activities:
Late Night R&B Lounge | July 22-23 | Nostalgia Wine and Jazz Lounge | Free
Nostalgia is staying open a little later during music festival weekend to bring you two nights of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s Nostalgia. No reservations. Early arrival is suggested.
Annual Chi-Town/Cincy Steppers Weekend | July 22 -23 | PRVLGD | $25-$50
Enjoy DJs, drinks, a cigar lounge, food onsite from Chef Anthony Hill, and more.
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The Frisch’s Mobile Roller Rink Pop-up | July 22-23 | 25 Race Street | $2 – $7
The Frisch’s Mobile Roller rink will be opening on Race Street near the Andrew J Brady Music Center. Outdoor roller skates will be available for rent for $5, and the price of admission will be $2. Patrons may also bring their own skates. No reservations required. Cashless payments only.
The Untold Speaker Series | July 22-23 | Multiple Locations | Free
Through data-focused presentations, best practice demonstrations and round table discussions, these events support and elevate the awareness of Visit Cincy’s broadened diversity and inclusion strategies.
Festival 513 | July 22-23 | E. Freedom Way | Free
This exciting event provides a centralized merchandise and food vending area for guests to the city and features nearly 100 merchandise and food booths. The festival is conveniently located on Freedom Way directly in front of Paul Brown Stadium. Festival 513 is free and open to the public.
COPA Music Fest Weekend | July 22-24 | COPA Lounge | Free entry before midnight
Including a Friday night celebration, a Saturday Chi-town day party with DJ B-Real, DJ Sirprize, DJ Chris Da Truth, and DJ Ty Lyles, a Saturday night celebration with DJ Band Camp and DJ Prymtime, and a Sunday brunch.
Cincy Soul Fest | July 22-24 | 5th Street & Fountain Square | Free
A collaborative effort of Black-owned restaurants, caterers, and food trucks within the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area. Hosted by Keri Hilson with performances by Raekwon, Dave Hollister, Speed Walton, and more.
Vibe Queen City 5k | July 23, 8 a.m. | Paul Brown Stadium | $25-$40
Raising money for the foundation to assist, aid, scholarships and programming for our Queen City Foundation kids, the course starts on the west side of Paul Brown Stadium, continues down the river, continues along Smale Park, and passes Great American Ball Park and Heritage Bank Arena.
CMF Outdoor Museum | July 23, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Washington Park | Free
An outdoor public art exhibition that will feature works from 15 artists of color based on the themes of community, music, and displayed across Washington Park
Related to the Cincinnati Music Festival Guide: For detailed information on the artists and entry procedures check out our Cincinnati Music Festival calendar listing.
Black Tech Week Career Fair | July 22, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Washington Park | Free
Connect with startups, tech companies, and global corporations.
The Roots of Gathering Crisis: Voting Rights and Violence | July 22, 1:30 p.m. | National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | $0-$16
A meaningful discussion of voting rights, the efforts to suppress votes and the growing plague of violence in America
America’s Truth: Cincinnati | July 23, 10:30 a.m. | National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | $0-$16
A screening of America’s Truth: Cincinnati, followed by a panel discussion with community leaders.
Black Walk of Fame Ceremony | July 23, Noon – 3 p.m. | Andrew J Brady Music Center | Free
The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame will have its Induction and Dedication ceremony featuring Zapp, Penny Ford, Hi-Tek, Midnight Star, Wilbert Longmire, and Alicia Reece.
Rock the Boat All White Boat Ride Party | July 23, 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Queen City Riverboats | $49.99
Come party at the #1 all white boat ride with 300 people on two levels as we sail on the beautiful Ohio River.
Grown and Sophisticated All White Cruise | July 23, 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. | BB Riverboats | $35+
Enjoy a multi-level boat cruising the mighty Ohio River while listening to the livest Hip-Hop and R&B music from not one but two DJs. Our All White-themed cruise is a huge hit among attendees, but it’s not required to attend the cruise.
The Esoteric Hip Hop Lounge Day Party | July 23, 3 p.m. | Esoteric Brewing Company | Free
DJ Nate the Great will be providing the finest hip hop, R&B, samples and rare grooves!
For The Culture: Black Men Edition | July 23, 7 p.m. | Smale Riverfront Park | Free
Black photographer Lè Thompson will be taking keepsake photos for young Black men.
Lando’s Old School Happy Hour | July 23, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. | Fountain Square | Free
Lando’s Old School Happy Hour on Fountain Square during The Cincinnati Music Festival will be back for the first time in years.
Kinky Boat Ride 2022 | July 23, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. | Celebration Riverboats | $56
Cruising down the Ohio River to the sounds of Dada Shock (reggae) and Dj Ant Banks (R&B Rap Soul) featuring paint and sip and more.
Kathy Wade’s Jammin’ Jazz Brunch | July 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hard Rock Casino | Price Varies
Enjoy 2x Emmy-award-winning vocalist Kathy Wade as your brunch host!
Where should I park Downtown?
Parking lots surrounding Paul Brown Stadium, downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will be open. Most lots will open at 5:30 p.m. each night. There are Reds games Friday and Saturday night and an FC Cincinnati game Saturday night. Plan accordingly for traffic and parking.
Cincy EZ Park allows you to pay for online meter parking from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Download Cincy EZ Park app
The Cincinnati Bell Connector is a free three-mile circulator that can easily move concert-goes through our downtown. Along the route, riders will travel through historic Over-the-Rhine and see Music Hall, where the symphony orchestra performs, Aronoff Performing Arts Center, shopping, festivals, street performers, outdoor concert series with free live music, nightclubs and folks out having an enjoyable time!
Learn more about the Cincinnati Bell Connector
Where can I eat during the 2022 Cincinnati Music Festival Weekend?
Book reservations at more than 50 Cincinnati Black-owned Restaurants, Eateries and Food Trucks and hundreds of downtown Cincinnati restaurants.
Related to the Cincinnati Music Festival Guide: Tips to have the most fun at what many still call the Cincinnati Jazz Festival!
Cincinnati Music Festival Guide photo provided by Cincinnati USA
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What a wonderful weekend this has been in Cincinnati we have come together for so much fun food and entertainment if only everyone could be like this every day I love my black family and friends
Always love the event. This is my 3rd visit. Looking forward to 2020 event. The people are fantastic, wish the WORLD could act this way all the time.
I agree, people just being nice and having a good time!
Kudos for the line up this year. I did not think I would be going, but I have to see Janet! I am so excited for this weekend. I always have a great time.
I can’t wait to see what other events you have added. There have been some great things going on in Cincy!
Don’t forget the CINCY Soul Festival is this weekend artist Dave Hollister, Keri Hilson in the building…fountain square!