Attend the 2026 May Festival on May 15 through 23 at various venues in the Cincinnati area.
An Eclectic Opening Night
May 15, 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall (OTR)
Bruckner’s Psalm 150 sets the tone with a fanfare of voices, then anchored by the words of Langston Hughes and fellow Harlem Renaissance poets, the evening traverses spiritual depths, culminating in a work of the May Festival’s own curation — the “Eclectic Mass” — a collection of pieces from the sacred music tradition, including a vibrant new Sanctus from Grammy-nominated composer, Carlos Simon. Combined, this concert is a powerful celebration of music from across centuries and genres, reflecting the Festival’s storied past while boldly stepping into its future.
The Water’s Journey
May 16, 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall (OTR)
Explore the elemental power of water through two bold visions. Duke Ellington’s jazz-infused The River flows with elegance and swing, portraying the river’s journey from tranquil beginnings to its powerful arrival at the sea. Its momentum leads into Ralph Vaughan Williams’ monumental A Sea Symphony, which sets the poetry of Walt Whitman in a choral celebration of the ocean’s mystery and majesty — part hymn, part voyage into the unknown. Together, these works invite us to listen deeply — to the pull of tide and current, and to the human longing for connection and discovery.
A Dream Deferred – Langston Hughes in Song
May 17, 3 p.m.
Memorial Hall (OTR)
Join Julia Bullock and guests in this intimate recital setting to experience her critically acclaimed concert curation. This performance includes a post-concert Talk Back with Julia Bullock in Memorial Hall.
Vocal Arts Ensemble: Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle
May 19, 7:30 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral (Downtown)
Experience the mastery of this celebratory and entertaining cultural treasure under the direction of VAE’s new Music Director Joe Miller.
On Love and Lust
May 21, 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall (OTR)
Raw, rhythmic and electrifying — featuring dancers from Cincinnati Ballet 2, this once-in-a-lifetime concert experience fuses music and movement in a visceral exploration of lust, ritual and desire. Stravinsky’s Les noces pulses with primal energy as it reimagines a Russian village wedding through driving percussion, voices, and riveting choreography by Yoshihisa Arai. Orff’s Catulli Carmina, drawn from the ancient poetry of Catullus, blazes with sensuality and irony, turning themes of passion and heartbreak into a bold, theatrical spectacle.
Porgy and Bess: Festival Finale
May 23, 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall (OTR)
2026 Festival Director Julia Bullock takes center stage as Bess in her own deeply personal and poignant curation of Gershwin’s legendary opera, Porgy and Bess. William Grant Still’s Plain-Chant for America issues a stirring call for unity and resilience, while Stephen Paulus’s Prayers & Remembrances seeks to impart hope and healing, before a celebratory finale of Bernstein’s radiant “Make Our Garden Grow” from Candide. Finally, we close the 2026 Festival with what has become a beloved May Festival tradition, singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” together as one.
Tickets to the May Festival
Individual tickets to the May Festival are available by clicking the desired event above. Enjoy 20% savings on all four concerts, priority seating, exclusive access to bonus events, and more with a festival pass.
Music Hall Venue Information
Parking
Near Music Hall, there is a 450-space underground garage, surface lots, and on-street parking. Use the Cincy EZ Park App to pay for parking as appropriate. Take the Cincinnati METRO to the venue.
Accessibility
The accessibility entrance is located on the southeast side of the building on Elm Street. Please ask a Music Hall usher or staff member for additional assistance or directions.
Prohibited Items
Music Hall restricts bag sizes to 12″ x 12″ for your safety. A staff member can make an exception for individuals with medical necessity. All bags and jackets are subject to inspection at the entrance.
View a list of prohibited items.
Additional Downtown Excursions
Discover Black-owned businesses in downtown Cincinnati, from flavorful restaurants and sweet dessert spots to cozy coffee shops, stylish clothing boutiques, lively nightclubs, and more.
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