CINCINNATI — Rest up, get dressed up and prepare for an extended weekend full of parties.
The 2019 Cincinnati Music Festival will return to Paul Brown Stadium starting Thursday evening.
Cincinnati Music Festival
6:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Paul Brown Stadium
For ticket prices and more information, visit www.cincymusicfestival.com.
The stadium won't contain all the fun, though, as the Queen City hosts thousands of out-of-town visitors for the festival.
Here's a list of parties you won't want to miss before and after each day of the annual music festival. (Scroll to the bottom of the list for a day-by-day and location breakdown for each event.)
Vibe Cincinnati: Wednesday-Sunday. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. The heart of the Queen City will be bumping as Vibe Cincinnati hosts multiple events. On Wednesday, Vibe will sponsor two official CMF weekend kickoff events: the Crown Jewels of Jazz at St. Aloysius from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the Red Light Jazz Room from 8 p.m.-midnight at Copa Lounge. Vibe also will host the Vibe Marketplace and live music at Fountain Square, along with programs at various Cincinnati venues, Thursday through Sunday. www.cincyusa.com
Music Fest Weekend Kickoff Party: 6 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Thursday. Cove 51, 11473 Chester Road, Sharonville. Come party with Mike Martin and the DC Crew. DJ Shawn Kelley will provide the soundtrack. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Thursday Nite Out: 7-10:45 p.m. Thursday. DJ’s Sports Tavern, 380 Glensprings Drive, Springdale. DJ’s Sports Tavern will kick off music festival weekend with an evening hosted by Voy and music by DJ DReal. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
"The Rickey Smiley Morning Show:" 6-10 a.m. Friday. Fountain Square, 500 Vine St., Downtown. Comedian Rickey Smiley will do a live broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show from Fountain Square as part of the Cincinnati Music Festival weekend. If you can't make it to hear Smiley’s morning show in person turn your radio dial to 101.1 FM The Wiz. wiznation.com
PTO: An Adult Skip Party 2: Noon-7 p.m. Friday. Revel OTR Urban Winery, 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. I have a feeling this sequel is going to be as good or better than the original. The Cool Kids Club House once again will host “PTO” at Revel Urban Winery on Friday of the Cincinnati Music Festival. There will be drinks, music and a few other surprises. And did we mention there’s no cover charge? For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Festival 513: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday; noon-2 a.m. Saturday. Festival 513, Elm Street and Freedom Way, Downtown. Free. Make sure to make time for Festival 513 before heading into Paul Brown Stadium for the Cincinnati Music Festival. Dozens of food and merchandise vendors will once again line both sides of Freedom Way at The Banks. www.festival513.com
KISS 107.1 Loud & Proud 2019 featuring Lizzo: 8 p.m. Friday. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown. $25-$60. The highly anticipated event featuring singer Lizzo will take place Friday at U.S. Bank Arena. The show also will feature Cincinnati's own Round2Crew, plus a special appearance by Amaya Sexton, Chasity Marie, Jessica Dimon and Sarah Jessica Darker. www.usbankarena.com
Cincy Soul: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; noon-11 p.m. Sunday. Fifth Street at Fountain Square, Downtown. Free. Now in its fourth year, Cincy Soul has grown into more than a food festival showcasing the delicious dishes of local minority-owned eateries. This year’s Cincy Soul also will feature live performances by Roxanne Shante and Montell Jordan on Saturday and Lil Mo, Arin Ray and Kwame on Sunday at Fountain Square. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Finally Friday: Cincy Music Fest Afterparty: 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday. The Back Room (inside Butcher & Barrel), 700 Race St., Downtown. $10 advance; $90 discounted pre-sale table for four. Cincy Social, Christopher Paul and DELUX Nightlife have come together to deliver Finally Friday’s Cincinnati Music Festival edition. This party has enough room for more than 300 people, a live band and DJ. There’s an online discount for advance ticket purchases. Ticket prices likely will go up at the door. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Reggae Night: 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Friday. Cove 51, 11473 Chester Road, Sharonville. Keep the fun going with live music by Rolling Thunder and Ram Tafari at Cove 51 in Sharonville. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Lando’s Old School Cincinnati Music Fest Afterparty: 11 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. JACK Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Downtown. $15 advance purchase; $20 at the door. Let there be no doubt: Lando knows how to throw a party. The promoter’s music festival afterparties will return to JACK Casino on Friday and Saturday nights, after the last act performs inside Paul Brown Stadium. www.rilentertainment.net
The Midday Laugh Fest: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday. Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Hotel, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown. $40 brunch; $45 open bar. 21and older. Get your laugh on with comedians Tony Roberts and Luenell during this very special brunch before the last night of the Cincinnati Music Festival. You’ll also be able to get your fill of mimosas and more. middaylaughfest.com
Rep Your City Skating and Steppers Day Party: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday. Skatetown USA, 8730 N. Pavilion, West Chester Township. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Going to the Cincinnati Music Fest? Pack your skates. God's Favor Entertainment will be hosting The Biggest Skating and Steppers Day Party. DJ King Blaze from Chicago will be on crowd control. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincy Love Soul: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Revel OTR, 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. Proofs in the Puddin Radio presents The Village Movement Featuring Ellis & Nati Mill for a day of cultural and musical expression. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Day Party at Level Nightlife: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Level Nightlife, 435 Elm St., Downtown. Level Nightlife will be lit before the last night of the Cincinnati Music Festival. The club will feature music by three visiting Chicago DJs – DJ Mixmaster Len, DJ Ronnie Mac and special guest DJ Boxx. For more information visit the event Facebook post.
Steppers Day Set: 1-6 p.m. Saturday. DJ’s Sports Tavern, 380 Glensprings Drive, Springdale. $20 at the door. Get ready for the final evening of the 2019 Cincinnati Music Festival at the Steppers Day Set. DJ D-Real will provide the music. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincinnati Black Pride Day Party: 3-7 p.m. Saturday. Switch, 312 W. Fourth St., Downtown. Hosted at Switch, a contemporary interior design studio in Downtown, the LGBTQ-focused day party will feature local talent and food and drinks for purchase. www.cincinnatiblackpride.com
Cincy Music Fest After Party with Kizz Daniel: 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday. Cove 51, 11473 Chester Road, Sharonville. $40-$70. Nigerian singer and songwriter Kizz Daniel will perform live. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
The All White BoatRide Jazz Fest Weekend Edition: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Celebration Riverboats, 848 Elm St., Ludlow, Ky. $15-$150. If the boat is a-rocking, do come a-knocking. Celebration Riverboats’ two-floor paddlewheeler will have two DJs to keep the fun going after the music festival ends. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Sunday Brunch: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday. DJ’s Sports Tavern, 380 Glensprings Drive, Springdale. $10. Join the Cincinnati Elegant Steppers for brunch before saying farewell to friends and another Cincinnati Music Festival weekend. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Summer Splash Reloaded: Riverboat Sip & Paint Day Party: 2-6 p.m. Sunday. Celebration Riverboats, 848 Elm St., Ludlow. $45. What better way to end your weekend than cruising the Ohio River while sipping drinks, painting, listening to live music and enjoying a tasty buffet? For more information visit the event Facebook page.
