CINCINNATI, OH – The City of Cincinnati is excited and proud to once again bring the nation’s largest immersive event, Blink, illuminated by ArtsWave, back to our city.  The festivities begin on Thursday, October 17, 2025, with the Blink Parade.  Some streets will close even earlier, though.  The following streets will close in advance of the event at times listed below:

 

• Plum Street- closes between Eighth Street and Ninth Street on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 9AM for BLM Mural Restoration.  Due to reopen on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 6AM.
• Court Street- closes between Walnut Street and Vine Street on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 9AM.  Due to reopen on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 5AM.
• Jackson Street- closes between Twelfth Street and Thirteenth Street on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 9AM. Due to reopen on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 5AM.
• Freedom Way- closes between Rosa Parks Street and Marian Spencer Way on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 6AM.  Due to reopen on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 5AM.

 

The Blink Parade will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 8PM.  In order to accommodate this event, the following streets will close at 7PM on Thursday, October 17, 2024, and remain closed until approximately 10PM:

 

• W Pete Rose Way- closed between Mehring Way and Central Avenue (closes at 4PM for staging)
• Rose Street- closed between Mehring Way and W Pete Rose Way (closes at 4PM for staging)
• Smith Street- closed between Mehring Way and W Pete Rose Way (closes at 4PM for staging)
• Mehring Way- closed between Gest Street and E Pete Rose Way
• Gest Street- southbound closed between Third Street and Mehring Way
• Central Avenue- closed south of Third Street (northbound Central Avenue remains open north of W Pete Rose Way)
• Elm Street- closed south of Second Street
• Race Street- closed south of Second Street (garage access maintained)
• Rosa Parks Street- closed south of Second Street (garage access maintained)
• Marian Spencer Way- closed south of Second Street (garage access maintained)
• Joe Nuxhall Way- closed south of Second Street (garage and hotel access maintained)
• Suspension Bridge- closed
• Ramp LL- closed
• Johnny Bench Way- closed
• E Pete Rose Way- closed west of Broadway

 

Blink event hours are from 7PM-11PM.  The following streets will close nightly from 7PM until 11PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 18-20, 2024:

 

NORTH- SOUTH Streets

• Elm Street- closed between Central Parkway and Findlay Street (Liberty Street remains open to east-west traffic)
• Race Street- closed between Central Parkway and Findlay Streets (Liberty Street remains open to east-west traffic)
• Vine Street- closed between Third Street and Central Parkway (Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, Ninth Street remain open for east-west traffic)
• Walnut Street- closed between Third Street and Central Parkway (Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, Ninth Street remain open for east-west traffic)
• Main Street- closed between Second Street and Twelfth Street (Second Street, Third Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, Ninth Street and Central Parkway remain open for east-west traffic) (Main Street will close to maintain the streetcar)
• Jackson Street- closed between Twelfth Street and Central Parkway

 

EAST-WEST Streets:

• Fourth Street- restricted between Main Street and Race Street.  The street will remain open as long as possible but may close due to crowd congestion.
• Seventh Street- restricted between Main Street and Race Street.  The street will remain open as long as possible but may close due to crowd congestion.
• Charles Street- closed between Central Parkway and Elm Street
• Twelfth Street- closed to through traffic between Main Street and Central Parkway
• Fourteenth Street- closed between Central Parkway and Race Street
• Grant Street- closed to through traffic between Central Parkway and Elm Street
• Magnolia Street- closed to through traffic between Central Parkway and Elm Street
• Odeon Street- closed to through traffic between Central Parkway and Elm Street
• Wade Street- closed to through traffic between Central Parkway and Elm Street
• Green Street- closed to through traffic between Vine Street and Elm Street
• Elder Street- closed between Vine Street and Central Parkway
• Court Street- closed between Race Street and Vine Street
• Freedom Way- closed between Race Street and Marian Spencer Way

 

MISC. Closures

• Fifth Street ramp from SB 75 will close Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 630PM until 11PM
• Suspension Bridge- closed 7PM to 11PM nightly

 

           

Additional reminders:  Local residential access will be maintained with the assistance of Cincinnati Police Department officers on site.  Additional streets may close as needed for traffic volumes.  Streetcar service will be maintained.

 

For more information this event, please visit:

BLINK | A Festival of Light & Art | Cincinnati, Ohio | October 17-20, 2024 (blinkcincinnati.com)