Things to do in Black Cincinnati this week!
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Juneteenth events in Cincinnati to celebrate the culture!
Enjoy plenty of Juneteenth events in the Greater Cincinnati Area. Check out parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, networking, flag ceremonies, concerts, film screenings, and more! Take time to celebrate African American culture and learn more about its past, present, and future.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in Black Cincinnati
The Black and queer liberation movements are fundamentally interconnected. Pride events in Black Cincinnati aim to highlight the unique experiences of Black members of the LGBTQ+ community. Enjoy parades, parties, festivals, film viewings, performances, and more around the Greater Cincinnati area.
Monday, June 8
Museum Exhibits & Omnimax Shows
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; open daily
Cincinnati Museum Center (West End)
Starting at $12.50
Experience Wild Rescue OMNIMAX® and a look at stunning parks and waterways, and the deep connection between people and nature. Additional films include Call of the Dolphins and Secrets of the Sea. Explore scenic adventures like National Parks Adventure. Finally, experience the LEGO® Jurassic World Exhibition, which features massive dinosaur builds, hands-on activities, and immersive scenes inspired by the Jurassic World franchise, with opportunities to build, create, and discover across themed environments.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal (Evanston)
Free Admission
Hamilton County residents experiencing food insecurities can access food and clothing at the pantry on Mondays and Tuesdays. Call 513-531-4337 for more information. Check out our list of other Cincinnati pantries and soup kitchens.
Jazz at the Park: Faux Frenchmen
6 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
A high-energy blend of traditional Romani folk, European classical, and American swing/big band jazz. Ends October 26.
Strings on the Square: Disney Hits
6 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Fountain Square (Downtown)
Free Admission
Cincinnati’s most in-demand quartet, StringSource, performs novel arrangements of popular music by artists, this week featuring Disney music. Ends August 31.
PLANNING AHEAD
Black Odes: A Reclamation Suite
June 26, 7:30 p.m.
ARCO (Price Hill)
$25
A passionate and antithetical shift in worldview from that reality; a musical, poetic, and visual celebration of a world in which the values of beauty, joy, and liberty are not only a goal, but a living reality. It is a multi-disciplinary expression of what it would be like to actually live fully in America’s promise.
Tuesday, June 9
Coming of Age | New works of the HAIRitage Series
Noon – 5 p.m.
Kennedy Heights Arts Center Lindner Gallery (Kennedy Heights)
Free Admission
Explore a powerful series of artworks by Erin M. Smith Glenn examining Black hair culture, identity, discrimination, and ancestral pride through bold visual storytelling. Ends July 11.
Jazz at the Square: Mike Wade & the Jazz Mafia
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fountain Square (Downtown)
Free Admission
Blending traditional acoustic jazz with electric, groove-oriented sounds, often incorporating soulful R&B, go-go, and hip-hop influences
Line Dancing
6:15 p.m.
The Heights Movement (Lockland)
$5
Step to the beat, feel the joy, and join the fun!
R&B and Soul Line Dancing
7:15 p.m.
Outside of DANCEFIX by HBDC (Walnut Hills)
Free Admission
Expect upbeat dance classes filled with R&B, soul, tap, and African dance styles, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere for movement, music, and community connection.
PLANNING AHEAD
West End Brady Block Party
June 21, 6:30 p.m.
Ezzard Charles Park (West End)
Free Admission
This FREE outdoor event is open to the public, and all are welcome. Enjoy giveaways, food trucks, activities, and entertainment prior to a concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra!
Wednesday, June 10
Jazz in the Camp: Dan Karlsberg Band ft Justin Faulkner
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
American Sign Museum (Camp Washington)
Free Admission
Blending hard-bop, traditional acoustic swing, and contemporary original compositions.
Tapped In by Pones
7 p.m.
Gabriel’s Corner (OTR)
Starting at $20
Blending African, Irish, vaudeville, Broadway, and contemporary styles and featuring live jazz call-and-response alongside regional choreographers, this premiere celebrates creativity, resistance, and cultural convergence, spotlighting lesser-known stories through collaborative performance.
Yung Bleu Rap Concert
7 p.m.
Bogart’s (Clifton)
Starting at $30
Yung Bleu is known for blending smooth, vulnerable singing with southern rap and trap beats, creating a versatile sound that falls right between rap and R&B
Disney’s The Lion King Broadway Musical
7:30 p.m.
Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
Starting at $41
The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. Enjoy awe-inspiring visual artistry, unforgettable music, and uniquely theatrical storytelling in this Broadway spectacular. Ends July 5.
PLANNING AHEAD
Contacts to Contracts Conference
June 25, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Word of Deliverance (Forest Park)
Free Admission
A full-day experience designed to help small businesses turn connections into real contract opportunities.
Thursday, June 11
Gee Horton’s Chapter 4: In Another Lifetime Exhibit
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center (Downtown)
Price Varies
Explore a powerful, immersive showcase examining Black masculinity, memory, and inherited trauma through drawing, photography, video, and installation. Ends August 30.
Italianfest
5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Riverboat Row (Newport)
Free Admission
From live music and authentic Italian eats to family fun and cultural experiences, every corner of the festival delivers big flavor and nonstop entertainment. Through June 14.
Roots Revival: Megan Bee & Jordan Wilson Coalition
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
A dynamic fusion of alt‑blues, funk, and rock ’n’ soul, creating a sound that’s gritty, groovy, and irresistibly full of heart.
Emma Play
7:30 p.m.
Otto M Budig Theater (OTR)
Starting at $14
Follow the headstrong matchmaker—convinced she can’t possibly fall in love—as she orchestrates romance for those around her with heartwarming and hilarious results. An all-Black female cast featured in the Gilded Age. Think Bridgerton. Ends June 14.
PLANNING AHEAD
Juneteenth Jubilee
June 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (The Banks)
Free Admission
True to the spirit of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations, all are welcome to join the fun with live music, food trucks, and a Community Market where attendees can shop small and support local businesses. Experience drop-in programming centered around the theme “What does Afro-futurism mean to you?” and give back through the Juneteenth Blood Drive with Hoxworth Blood Center.
Friday, June 12
Exploring The Migration Series
11 a.m. – Noon
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (The Banks)
Included with museum admission
Cincinnati artist Kathy Stockman, who will lead a conversation about Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series using the practice of visio divina. Visio divina, or “divine seeing,” is a Christian practice of prayer by contemplating an artwork.
Friday Flow: BlackGold
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
A night of soulful vocals, funky grooves, and pure energy.
Ms. Pat Comedy Show
6:30 p.m. & 9:15 p.m.
Funny Bone (Liberty Township)
Starting at $37
Known for her signature blend of sharp wit and hilarious storytelling. Ends June 14.
Freddie Gibbs Rap Concert
7 p.m.
Bogart’s (Clifton)
Starting at $45
Known for his gritty storytelling and commanding stage presence, Gibbs delivers hard-hitting tracks that resonate with longtime fans and new listeners alike.
James Gaiters Sextet: Soul & Swing of Cannonball
7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$15
Join drummer James Gaiters and an all-star sextet for an evening celebrating the soulful, hard-swinging legacy of the Cannonball Adderley Sextet.
Lindsey Webster Jazz Concert
7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Starting at $25
Known for her warm vocals and modern blend of jazz, R&B, and soul, Webster delivers emotionally rich songs that feel both intimate and timeless.
DJ Pillo and Friends
9 p.m.
Northside Tavern (Northside)
Free Admission
Experience an electrifying night with special guest, DJ Bizzy Bizz, and dope mixes to keep the dance floor rocking.
PLANNING AHEAD
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Jazz Concert
June 23, 8 p.m.
Taft Theatre (Downtown)
Blending rock, funk, soul, jazz, blues, hip-hop, and Caribbean influences into a raucous, high-energy sound, Shorty has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic and ecstatic live performers working today.
Saturday, June 13
WeTHRIVE Summer Fitness
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Central Park Fitness Court (Forest Park)
Free Admission
Join Coach Pinkie for a great way to get some extra exercise while connecting with the community.
Better Together Mother + Daughter Conference
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Summit Hotel (Madisonville)
Starting at $25 per person
A powerful, joy-filled experience designed to deepen the bond between mothers and daughters is blossoming in Cincinnati this summer—and being in the room will matter.
Daddies Do Hair Too!
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services (Bond Hill)
Free Admission
An event for fathers to practice caring for their daughters’ natural hair, with help from professional stylists.
Juneteenth: Freedom In Mind, Body, & Soul
Noon – 4 p.m.
2868 Colerain Avenue (Camp Washington)
Free Admission
Celebrate liberation with an afternoon of healing, movement, community, and joy. Enjoy wellness activities, movement sessions, kids’ activities, music, refreshments, and an open house of the new space.
Norwood Juneteenth Commemoration, Soulfood Cafe and Block Party
Noon – 4 p.m.
New Vision Missionary Baptist Church (Norwood)
Free Admission, price varies for soul food.
Enjoy guest speakers and a block party, following the ceremony, while celebrating the theme of “Juneteenth Brings Balance to America’s Celebration of Freedom.”
Midwest Regional Black Culture Fest
Noon – 5 p.m.
Washington Park (OTR)
Free Admission
Celebrating Black creativity, community, and legacy through art, fashion, business, wellness, and collective joy that endures.
New Jerusalem BC Sankofa Centennial Community Wide Event
Noon – 5 p.m.
CityLink Center (West End)
Free Admission
Highlights of the event will include voter registration, marriage enrichment, health and wellness resources, healthy food education, blood pressure screenings, mental health support, fitness activities, food access support, youth activities, live entertainment, and ministry showcases.
Cincinnati Sounds
3:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
The Garfield Theatre (Downtown)
Starting at $6
Explore the city’s musical spaces, places and sounds via two engaging documentaries in a single program.
Juneteenth Festival
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Square @ Union Centre (West Chester)
Free Admission
A family-friendly, community-oriented day honoring the past and celebrating progress. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy live entertainment by Top This Band. The Kids Zone will feature completely free activities for children, including face painting, balloon art, and hands-on crafts provided by the Fitton Arts Center and MidPointe Library.
Rec @ Nite: A Safe, Fun, and Inclusive Summer Space for Teens
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Lincoln Rec Center | 1027 Linn Street, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Hirsch Rec Center | 3630 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45229
Evanston Rec Center | 3204 Woodburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45207
Winton Hills Rec Center | 5170 Winneste Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45232
Free Admission
Teens can enjoy a full night of music, games, sports, creative activities, esports, and community-focused fun in a safe, welcoming environment designed just for ages 12–17.
Evanston Brady Block Party
6:30 p.m.
Evanston Playground (Evanston)
Free Admission
This FREE outdoor event is open to the public, and all are welcome. Enjoy giveaways, food trucks, activities, and entertainment prior to a concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra!
Mathis Picard Trio
7 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Caffè Vivace (Walnut Hills)
$33
Blending diverse musical and cultural influences, he has emerged as a compelling voice on the piano.
The Magic of Motown
7:30 p.m.
Taft Theatre (Downtown)
Starting at $71
Enjoy music from The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and all the legends!
PLANNING AHEAD
The Pharcyde Rap Concert
June 20, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
An influential alternative rap group from South Central Los Angeles known for their playful lyricism, jazz-influenced production, and offbeat approach to hip-hop.
Sunday, June 14
Happy Birthday Harriet
Noon – 4 p.m.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House (Walnut Hills)
Free Admission
This free annual celebration honors voices raised for truth and brings together history, arts, literature, music, and family-friendly activities for guests of all ages.
Jazz Brunch
12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Kantine Biergarten Eatery (West End)
Price Varies
Join Michael Wade Quartet and enjoy world-class jazz in a lively outdoor setting.
Sunday Sounds: Ziaire Trinidad Sherman
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Cincinnati Art Museum (Mt. Adams)
Free Admission
Inspired by Richard Mayhew’s painting Prelude in E Minor, Sherman will lead us on a journey through the painting’s sherbet colored landscape using the deep, resonant voice of the baritone saxophone.
Juneteenth Film Screening with Ya’Ke Smith
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Taft Museum of Art (Downtown)
Free Admission
Celebrate Juneteenth with a special screening of Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom from Our Daily Bread’s Voices Collection. This documentary follows a filmmaker’s journey to uncover the true history and meaning of Juneteenth, highlighting liberation, perseverance, and spiritual resilience. A Q&A with director and former Duncanson Artist-in-Residence Ya’Ke Smith will follow, offering deeper insight into the film’s storytelling and inspiration.
Wade in the Water
2 p.m.
Smale Park (The Banks)
Free Admission
Join Juneteenth Cincinnati in recognizing the significant role of water in the 400-year history of African enslavement and the quest for freedom with a symbolic dance to acknowledge the role water has played in “enslavement” and “freedom” in the Americas. Wear white with an accent of color if you choose (sash, a scarf, jewelry, etc.).
Upcoming Events
Juneteenth Jubilee
June 19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Freedom Center (The Banks)
Free Admission
True to the spirit of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations, all are welcome to join the fun with live music, food trucks, and a Community Market where attendees can shop small and support local businesses. Experience drop-in programming centered around the theme “What does Afro-futurism mean to you?” and give back through the Juneteenth Blood Drive with Hoxworth Blood Center.
North Mississippi Allstars Rock Concert
June 19, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
The band is known for turning every show into a high‑energy jam session, blending gritty guitar work with soulful grooves.
The Pharcyde Rap Concert
June 20, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
An influential alternative rap group from South Central Los Angeles known for their playful lyricism, jazz-influenced production, and offbeat approach to hip-hop.
Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey
Through June 21
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (The Banks)
Celebrating the history, accomplishments, and legacies of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey as they become familiar with the individuals and music of this world-renowned ensemble, which introduced African American spirituals to the world.
West End Brady Block Party
June 21, 6:30 p.m.
Ezzard Charles Park (West End)
Free Admission
This FREE outdoor event is open to the public, and all are welcome. Enjoy giveaways, food trucks, activities, and entertainment prior to a concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra!
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Jazz Concert
June 23, 8 p.m.
Taft Theatre (Downtown)
Blending rock, funk, soul, jazz, blues, hip-hop, and Caribbean influences into a raucous, high-energy sound, Shorty has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic and ecstatic live performers working today.
Contacts to Contracts Conference
June 25, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Word of Deliverance (Forest Park)
Free Admission
A full-day experience designed to help small businesses turn connections into real contract opportunities.
Black Odes: A Reclamation Suite
June 26, 7:30 p.m.
ARCO (Price Hill)
$25
A passionate and antithetical shift in worldview from that reality; a musical, poetic, and visual celebration of a world in which the values of beauty, joy, and liberty are not only a goal, but a living reality. It is a multi-disciplinary expression of what it would be like to actually live fully in America’s promise.
Spyro Gyra Jazz Concert
June 27, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
An intimate night of genre‑blending jazz fusion from one of the most enduring bands in contemporary instrumental music.
Printed Voices from Kenya: Social and Cultural Reflections
June 27 – August 22
Kennedy Heights Arts Center (Kennedy Heights)
Free Admission
Featuring 154 prints of various printmaking techniques by 42 established Kenyan artists, young and old. These artists use their artwork as their voice and communication tool to reflect on the cultural and social issues they face.
Madisonville Brady Block Party
June 28, 6:30 p.m.
Madisonville Recreation Center (Madisonville)
Free Admission
This FREE outdoor event is open to the public, and all are welcome. Enjoy giveaways, food trucks, activities, and entertainment prior to a concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra!
Red, White & Boom Symphony Concert
July 4, 6:30 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center (Anderson)
Under the baton of John Morris Russell, The Pops welcome powerhouse Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, acclaimed for her roles in Hamilton, In the Heights, and Wicked, alongside a special appearance by members of the United States Army.
Disney’s The Lion King Broadway Musical
Through July 5
Aronoff Center for the Arts (Downtown)
The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. Enjoy awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular.
Edgemont Inn Tavern Re-Enactment
July 10, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House (Walnut Hills)
The event pays tribute to the Edgemont Inn, a historic Green Book-listed tavern and boarding house once operated by Irene Bacon during the segregation era. Housed within the same property that now honors Harriet Beecher Stowe. This re-enactment revives the spirit of a place that once served as a vital refuge for Black travelers and the Walnut Hills community.
Coming of Age | New works of the HAIRitage Series Art Exhibit
Through July 11
Kennedy Heights Arts Center Lindner Gallery (Kennedy Heights)
Series of artworks by Erin Smith Glenn that addresses Black hair culture in a way that demands its attention; begs to justify the discriminations against it; commands the viewer; and ultimately upholds the values of her ancestors.
Kirk Whalum Jazz Concert
July 11, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
Soulful, passionate, stirring, these are the words most often used to describe Kirk Whalum’s music. Forged from his Memphis gospel roots and Houston’s thriving nightclub scene in the 1980s, Kirk’s big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his.
Pynk Beard Country Concert
July 12, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
The rising artist is known for blending classic country storytelling with a modern edge, creating a sound that feels both familiar and fresh.
Party in the Park
July 14, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Central Park (Forest Park)
An unforgettable summer evening filled with live music, delicious food, and community spirit.
Woodlawn/Lincoln Heights Brady Block Party
July 17, 6:30 p.m.
Woodlawn Community Center Fields (Woodlawn)
Free Admission
This FREE outdoor event is open to the public, and all are welcome. Enjoy giveaways, food trucks, activities, and entertainment prior to a concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra!
Kindred The Family Soul R&B Concert
July 18, 7:30 p.m.
Ludlow Garage (Clifton)
The husband-and-wife duo is celebrated for music rooted in love, family, and real-life experiences, blending smooth grooves with uplifting, conscious lyrics.
Cincinnatians, do you want your event to be featured in our upcoming week’s view? Submit it to The Voice of Black Cincinnati’s event calendar. The description of the event must be 300 words in length and include a feature photo that is not a flyer.
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 postings, 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 513-966-3328.
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