Light It Up
BLINK® is the nation's largest immersive art and light festival, creating an awe-inspiring event spanning Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, promising large-scale projection mapping, murals, and interactive light sculptures from artists around town and around the globe.
But with 80+ installations, 30+ blocks and two million fans waiting to experience the nation's largest light and art festival, choosing what to see first can be daunting! Check out a curated list of can’t miss projects from the brains behind BLINK.
INSTALLATIONS
“Crescendo” by Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitars, 8 p.m.
Lytle Park, 311 Pike St., Cincinnati
The Crescendo piano light installation invites viewers to step up and perform as it transforms sound into light.
“Mystic Eye” Drone Show, 8 and 10 p.m.
Ohio River at The Banks & Covington
The show transforms the night sky into a canvas, drawing from the vibrant BLINK brand identity. As the drones take flight, they weave intricate patterns and dynamic displays that echo the essence of BLINK’s bold and innovative spirit.
“Suaveciclo” by VJ Suave, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 p.m.
BLINK at Lytle Park
Dive into the colorful world of VJ Suave as we navigate the city with a specially equipped tricycle, illuminating the night with art and light. Live performances project animated characters onto urban landscapes, transforming parks and streets into vibrant canvases.
“Phases & Actions” by Brett Bolton, 9 & 10 p.m.
Doerr Alley, Cincinnati
“Phases” explores the phases of matter, transforming the screen into solid, liquid, gaseous, and plasma states with drums and an XY controller. “Actions” focuses on human interaction with a digital canvas, manipulating music and visuals. Between performances, the venue becomes an interactive installation, allowing the audience to play the visual systems.
SPECIAL EVENTS
BLINK Parade, presented by Skyline: “Let It Shine”
Thursday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m.
Parade starts at Paycor Stadium, winds down Mehring Way and ends at Great American Ball Park
This year's theme is “Let It Shine” and it will feature more than three thousand participants in glowing splendor at The Banks, one of the six zones features during the four nights of BLINK. Ten TorchBearers will also be honored during the parade.
Secret Walls
Friday, Oct. 18 9–10:30 p.m.
AGAR, 1205 Walnut St.
Secret Walls is the world’s premier competitive live art event - where artists of all kinds come to test their skills and show off their style. Artists compete against (and with) each other to finish a mural in 90 minutes.
afterglow
Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 p.m.
MegaCorp Pavilion, 101 Fourth St., Newport
The first-ever BLINK after party is at MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport, where DJ Austin Millz will entertain and guests will be amazed at the projection mapping inside.
PERFORMANCES / interactive
Silent Disco
Thursday–Sunday, Oct. 17–20, 7–11 p.m.
Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport
Cincy Silent Disco celebrates BLINK's expansion into Newport. Grab a special set of headphones and choose your own soundtrack as you rock out nightly to the free event.
“Midwest Block Party” by Warmth Culture
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Oct. 17–19, 7–11 p.m.
Findlay Market
Midwest Block Party is an immersive sound and light installation near Findlay Market, featuring DJ and live music performances. The “living room” stage reflects Midwestern hospitality, while the surrounding area evokes the warmth of an outdoor community gathering.
“Who Do You Say That I Am” Runway Show
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Oct. 18–20, 8 p.m.
15th St. between Race and Republic
“Who Do You Say That I Am?” is a deeper look into the layered pieces that make designer Asha Ama into the person she is today. Take a journey through her history and take account of the pieces that make you - you.
BLINK Skate Park
Saturday, and Sunday, Oct. 19–20, 5 p.m.
Liberty and Race
Love skateboarding? Love skate graphics? Join Australian BLINK artist Sonny Day for a series of skate deck painting workshops.
SHOPPING / DINING
BLINK Pop-Up Shop: Limelight
1326 Vine St., Cincinnati
Apparel, accessories, collectibles and more are available in person or online, with local pickup. Plus Busken’s official BLINK cookies will be available.
Hours: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 4–8 p.m.
Thursday and Friday, Oct. 17 & 18: 2–11 p.m
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 & 20: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Asianati Night Market,
Thursday–Sunday, Oct. 17–20, 7-11 p.m.
Court Street Plaza
The Asianati Night Market returns to BLINK, featuring unique Asian street foods, Asian-owned businesses and artists in our immersive installation. Expect family-friendly activities, games, snacks, & merch.