Your 2024 Cincinnati Music Festival Guide
Cincinnati Music Festival weekend activities
What’s happening during the Cincinnati Music Festival
Food festivals, Black vendors, keynote speakers, career fairs, and more!
The Cincinnati Music Festival is back for its 35th year. The Cincinnati Music Festival, traditionally known as the Cincinnati Jazz Festival, will occur at Paycor Stadium along the Ohio Riverfront.
In addition to performances, check out various events during the Cincinnati Music Festival. Attendees can enjoy professional events, speaker series, food, shopping, parties, and more to experience Cincinnati’s Black culture. View the Cincinnati Music Festival guide below to ensure your weekend is jam-packed with fun.
The lineup for the 2024 Cincinnati Music Festival
Thursday, July 25
- MC Lyte
- EPMD
- KRS-One
- Black Sheep
- DJ Vader
Friday, July 26
- Maxwell
- Ne-Yo
- Fantasia
- October London
Saturday, July 27
- New Edition
- Kem
- Stokley
- En Vogue
- Coco Jones
Tickets to the Cincinnati Music Festival
2024 Cincinnati Music Festival tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $65 for general admission tickets to $250+ for VIP tickets. Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster on December 16 at 10 a.m.
To buy tickets directly through the Santangelo Group, Inc., call 513-924-0900. Office hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. Please note there is a 3% credit card fee and a $5 per ticket charge.
Events happening during the Cincinnati Music Festival
Check back to see everything happening during the week leading up to the Cincinnati Music Festival and Cincinnati Music Festival Weekend with this Cincinnati Music Festival guide. Many events have a ticket limit, so be sure to confirm details and attendance before acting.
Rock the Boat All White Boat Ride
July 27, 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Queen City Riverboats (Dayton, KY)
Starting at $50
Guests 21 and up can come party at an all-white boat ride with 250 people on 2 levels sailing on the beautiful Ohio River.
Grown and Sophisticated “All White” Cruise
July 27, 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
BB Riverboats (Newport)
Starting at $60
Enjoy a multi-level boat cruising the mighty Ohio River while listening to the livest of Hip-Hop and R&B music from not one but two DJs. The all white themed cruise is a huge hit among attendees, but it’s not required to attend the cruise.
2023 Cincinnati Music Festival Recap
Additional Experiences in Cincinnati
Need more than what is on the Cincinnati Music Festival Guide? In addition to scheduled events, Cincinnati has plenty to explore during Cincinnati Music Festival weekend.
Dining
- Try a famous three-way or cheese coney at Skyline Chili
- Check out over 70 Cincinnati Black-owned Restaurants, Eateries, and Food Trucks around the City.
- The following Black-owned restaurants are located in the Downtown/OTR area:
Shopping
- Check out Black-owned clothing boutiques in Cincinnati
- Go shopping in OTR at Findlay Market
- Explore further shopping at Rookwood Commons or Kenwood Mall
Entertainment
- Get lucky at the Hard Rock Casino
- Enjoy the nightlife venues that the city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County have to offer on the weekends.
Museums and Historical Sites
- Explore Black Cincinnati with Black historic sites around the city.
- Tour the city with public art and history tours for African Americans.
- Get tickets to the Cincinnati Museum Center.
- Visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
- Check out the American Sign Museum
- Experience the art at the Taft Museum of Art, Contemporary Arts Center, 21C Museum Hotel, or Cincinnati Art Museum.
Zoos, Aquariums, Parks, and Botanical Gardens
- Visit the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Discounted tickets are available for SNAP cardholders at the zoo membership office.
- Visit the Newport Aquarium
- See the nature collections of Krohn Conservatory in Mt. Adams
- Check out one of the Cincinnati Parks
Additional Information
Parking and Travel
Parking lots surrounding Paycor Stadium, downtown Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky will be open. Most lots will open at 5:30 p.m. each night.
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.
Take Cincinnati METRO to the venue. Get real-time updates with the METRO App.
The Cincinnati Bell Connector is a free three-mile circulator that can quickly move concert-goes through our downtown.
Written by: Sophie Barsan
The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job posting, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-270-3880.
Cincinnati Music Festival Guide images provided by Cincinnati USA, DJ Vader, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, Frisch’s Mobile Roller Rink, VIBE Cincinnati
