What to know about Blink Cincinnati 2024 before things get lit

Blink Cincinnati is once again casting a spotlight on downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

The nation's largest art, light and projection mapping festival returns Oct. 17-20. The fourth iteration of the event is set to feature over 80 installations spanning more than 30 blocks in Over-the-Rhine, downtown Cincinnati, The Banks, Newport and Covington.

Like past years, the region will be set aglow, illuminated in a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. But before you head to the four-day event, you may want to do a little preparation.

Here's everything you should know ahead of Blink Cincinnati 2024.

When is Blink Cincinnati? What time does it start?

Blink takes place from 7-11 p.m. Oct. 17-20. Drone shows are held at 8 and 10 p.m. each night.

Do I need tickets?

No, Blink is free and open to the public, except for Afterglow: The Official Blink Afterparty featuring Austin Millz, a DJ, producer and songwriter from Harlem, New York. The event takes place 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport. Tickets are currently $30 and can be purchased via axs.com/events.

Where to park for Blink Cincinnati 2024

Public and private parking garages and surface lots are open in areas surrounding the event location. LAZ Parking is also offering reserved parking spaces at select locations that can be booked via blinkcincinnati.com/reserve-parking . Note that if your car is parked past the end of your reservation, you will be charged for additional time.

However, festival organizers encourage visitors to carpool and use public transportation due to anticipated traffic and limited parking availability.

Metro and TANK offer free, direct rides to Blink starting at 6 p.m., according to a press release. There will be three park-and-ride locations available, featuring promotional giveaways and DJs to kick off the Blink festivities. Attendees will be dropped off at the Riverfront Transit Center.

Here are the Blink Cincinnati park-and-ride locations:

• Cincinnati State, 3658 Central Parkway, Clifton.
• Crossroads Oakley, 3500 Madison Road.
• Northern Kentucky University, 1 Louie B. Nunn Drive, Highland Heights (Friday and Saturday only at Lots K, L and M).
• Meijer, 3651 Towne Blvd., Middletown.
• Meijer, 7390 Tylersville Road, West Chester.

Park-and-ride return service concludes at 12:30 a.m. Metro Access service is also free until 2 a.m. The last trip from NKU leaves at 9 p.m.

Government Square closes nightly at 6:00 p.m., and service will relocate to the Riverfront Transit Center until 12:30 a.m. Do not leave vehicles parked overnight at the park-and-ride locations.

The Southbank Shuttle is not servicing the normal Southbank street stops during Blink. Instead, the Southbank Shuttle is making one stop in Newport, one in Covington and a stop at the Riverfront Transit Center, per a press release.

The streetcar is operating as normal during all four nights of Blink, Kathrine Nero, vice president of media at Game Day Communications, told The Enquirer via email.

Will there be a Blink app?

There is no Blink app this year. Festival organizers encourage visitors to use the Blink map instead .

Will there be guided tours?

No guided tours are provided by Blink Cincinnati this year. However, the Blink map features several walking trails that help guide visitors to each of the zones.

Is there a Blink Cincinnati map?

Check out the official map for Blink Cincinnati 2024 below, or click here .

Can pedestrians cross the Roebling Bridge?

Attendees can cross back and forth from Cincinnati to Covington using the Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Are pets allowed at Blink Cincinnati 2024?

Blink organizers do not recommend bringing your furry friend due to the large crowd size and the time of the event, per the event's FAQ page . However, trained service animals are welcome to attend with their handlers.

Will there be food vendors at Blink?

Food and beverages are available in multiple locations of the festival, per the Blink website. According to a press release, the Findlay Market zone is hosting an outdoor night market featuring several local food vendors. Findlay Market's two outdoor bars, Jane’s and Race St. Station, are also open, as well as two mobile bars with limited menus. Hours of operation may vary.

A nightly food market produced by the local Asian food and cultural association, Asianati, is also taking place on Court Street Plaza from 5-11 p.m. each night.

Additionally, dining options are available at The Banks along Freedom Way, the open lots on Liberty and Race streets, Washington Park, near the Braxton Brewing location in Covington and at Newport on the Levee. Amy Fitzgibbons, vice president for marketing and communications for the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, told The Enquirer the Cincinnati Art Center will also offer food and beverages during Blink.

Findlay Night Market food vendors:

• The Arepa Place.
• Chino's Street Food.
• Eliza Jane's BakeShop.
• Juniper Seed.
• Lotus Street Food.
• Makers Bakers Co.
• Mama Made It.
• Moxy.
• The Rhined.
• Ruby's Chocolates.
• Tablespoon Cooking Co.
• The CakePop Shoppe.
• Chico's Cheesecakes.
• Davey Boy’s Bourbon Pecans.
• Honey Child Pops.
• Jay's Nyam & Jam.
• Olive Tree Catering.
• Pollos El Autentico.
• Queen Tequeños.
• Sabor Alaniz.
• Uai Brazil Sweets & Treats.
• Wendigo Tea Co.

Asianati Night Market food vendors:

• BentOn.
• Boba Cha.
• Bridges Nepali Cuisine.
• Café Mochiko (Sunday only).
• Chino's Street Food.
• Evolve Bake+Shop (Saturday only).
• Gabriela Filipina Kantina (Friday only).
• Hawkers Alley.
• Pho Lang Thang.
• Queens Bakery.
• Stone Bowl Restaurant.
• Tea N Bowl.
• Thai Express.
• Tikka Xpress.

Which streets are closed?

The city of Cincinnati has yet to release a list of road closures for Blink Cincinnati 2024. Make sure to check back here for updates.

When is the Blink parade?

The opening ceremony and parade takes place after sundown Thursday, Oct. 17.

Blink Cincinnati 2024 entertainment schedule

Blink Cincinnati is hosting live entertainment across six stages: Findlay Market Stage, Liberty Lots Stage, Freedom Stage, Covington Amphitheater Stage, Braxton Brewery Stage and the Newport on the Levee Stage. A full entertainment schedule has yet to be announced.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What to know about Blink Cincinnati 2024 before things get lit