Cincinnati is home to a vibrant music scene and hosts several major music festivals each year. Determining the time of a specific music festival in Cincinnati requires knowing the name and date of the festival.
Major Annual Music Festivals in Cincinnati
Some of the major annual music festivals held in Cincinnati include:
- Bunbury Music Festival – A 3-day event held in early June at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove along the Ohio River. In 2023, it will take place June 2-4.
- MidPoint Music Festival – A 3-day event held in late September along 12th Street in downtown Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. In 2023, it will take place September 29-October 1.
- Urban Music Festival – A 2-day R&B, hip-hop, and soul music festival held in July at Paul Brown Stadium. In 2023, it will take place July 15-16.
- Cincinnati Music Festival – A 3-day event featuring jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and gospel artists in late July at Paul Brown Stadium. In 2023, it will take place July 21-23.
There are also several other smaller music festivals and events held throughout the year, but these are the major multi-day music festivals that take place annually.
Festival Hours
The hours that each music festival in Cincinnati runs generally depends on the venue and setup of the event. Here are typical hours for the major festivals:
Festival | Hours |
---|---|
Bunbury Music Festival | Friday: 4PM – 11PM Saturday: 2PM – 11PM Sunday: 2PM – 11PM |
MidPoint Music Festival | Friday: 5PM – Midnight Saturday: Noon – Midnight Sunday: Noon – 11PM |
Urban Music Festival | Saturday: 2PM – 11PM Sunday: Noon – 11PM |
Cincinnati Music Festival | Friday: 5PM – Midnight Saturday: Noon – Midnight Sunday: Noon – 11PM |
The festival grounds usually open 1-2 hours before the first act begins each day. So gates would open around 2-3PM on Fridays, Noon on Saturdays, and 11AM on Sundays.
Set Times for Performers
The specific set times for individual performers and bands at each festival will vary from year to year. Generally, the headliners will take the main stage in the evening after 7PM or 8PM. But earlier in the day, acts may start playing as early as 2PM or 3PM on the various stages.
To find the exact set times for artists and bands playing at a particular Cincinnati music festival, you would need to check the schedule listed on the official festival website, social media pages, or event app once it is released, usually in the weeks or months leading up to the festival.
The schedule will provide a full timeline showing the start and end time for each performer on each stage at the festival on a given day. This allows attendees to plan who they want to see and where to be to catch certain acts.
Getting There On Time
To ensure you arrive at a Cincinnati music festival in time to see your desired acts, be sure to account for travel time as well as getting through any lines or security to enter the festival grounds.
Allow extra time if you need to park and walk to the festival entrance. Parking areas near festival venues like Sawyer Point and Paul Brown Stadium tend to fill up early on big event days. Using rideshares, public transit, or getting dropped off can help avoid parking challenges.
Gates typically open 1-2 hours before the music starts each day. If you want to be among the first inside, plan to arrive as early as gates opening. Popular headliners often play later time slots, so you can arrive later in the day if you only care about certain nighttime acts.
Once inside, scope out the festival map ahead of time so you know where the stages and restrooms are located. Moving between stages and finding good viewing spots can take time at big crowded festivals.
Build in buffer time – at least 15-30 minutes – between sets you want to see at different stages. With the exceptions of the last acts of the night, most festival sets are only 45-60 minutes long per performer. Sets end at the scheduled times promptly to keep the overall timeline moving.
After the Show
Cincinnati music festivals are located right in the city, so attendees have easy access to restaurants, bars, public transit, and hotels when shows wrap up each night. However, crowds stream out all at once so be prepared for congestion.
Rideshares like Uber and Lyft will have designated festival pickup and dropoff zones that can get very busy. Extra wait time is likely after the last set finishes and everyone starts leaving at once. Walking a little bit away from the venue exit can sometimes allow you to order a rideshare faster.
Cincinnati Metro buses also serve major festival sites like Sawyer Point and Paul Brown Stadium. Check routes and schedules ahead of time if you plan to use public transit. Buses and streetcars can fill up quickly after a show ends.
Driving your own vehicle or getting picked up in a designated location away from the venue is often the easiest way to avoid congestion. Make meetup plans beforehand with anyone giving you a ride.
Many festivals also have aftershows at nearby bars, clubs, and performance venues in downtown and Over-the-Rhine. So the music doesn’t necessarily stop when the main stages shut down. Keep the party going by checking out what late-night shows are happening around town.
Conclusion
Determining what time music festivals take place in Cincinnati requires checking the date and hours of operation for the specific festival you want to attend. Major festivals like Bunbury, Midpoint, Urban Music Fest, and the Cincinnati Music Festival span multiple days on weekends in June, July, and September each year. They typically run from mid-afternoon to late evening hours each day. Check the festival website, social media, or event app in the months and weeks leading up to the festival for the exact schedule of set times for all performers. Make sure to account for travel time, parking, and navigating between stages so you don’t miss the acts you came to see. Cincinnati’s music festivals create an electric atmosphere and unique live music experience right in the heart of the city.