BLINK® illuminated by ArtsWave, is the nation’s largest public light and art event.
Started in 2017, BLINK is a biennial celebration of public art and light that spans the urban core of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The massive four-day event features 80+ large-scale projection mappings against some of the city’s most iconic architecture, interactive light-based installations in its public spaces and expansive murals across its buildings, all by renowned local, national and international artists. The largest of its kind in the country, the festival’s mission is to nurture a sense of community, connection and inspiration through the medium of public art. In 2024, BLINK spanned 30+ city blocks, crossing the Ohio River into Covington, Kentucky and was experienced by over 2 million people. BLINK is by the artists, for the people. Executive producing partners are the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, AGAR and the Haile Foundation. We welcome all to Cincinnati, Ohio to experience the magic and wonder of BLINK once again October 8-11, 2026.
History
Blink 2024
BLINK 2024 expanded into Newport, Kentucky, for the first time, extending the festival’s reach across all three riverfront cities and creating seven total event zones—the largest footprint in the festival’s history. This expansion further reinforced BLINK’s role as a regional event, connecting communities on both sides of the Ohio River through immersive art, light, and technology.
The festival’s signature new spectacle was the “Supernova” laser light bridge, a 100-foot-wide array of laser light stretching across the Ohio River between Covington Landing and Sawyer Point. Running parallel to the iconic Roebling Suspension Bridge, the installation served as both a visual centerpiece and a symbolic connection between the cities, creating one of the festival’s most memorable experiences. Another first for BLINK was the introduction of “Afterglow,” a late-night concert series that extended the festival experience beyond its traditional programming.
Blink 2022
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, BLINK returned, this time with a shift in leadership as the event transitioned from founder Brave Berlin to the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. The year's biggest debut was BLINK’s first-ever drone show, produced in partnership with Sky Elements Drone Shows. Presented twice nightly, the show featured 300 drones hovering over the Ohio River, creating unique visuals for attendees to enjoy.
The event also introduced the Asianati Night Market as a new attraction within the Findlay Market zone. Reports showed that, for the first time, the event surpassed 2 million attendees, generating a significant economic impact for the region.
Blink 2019
BLINK's second iteration promised to be bigger and bolder than the original event. The festival grew from 20 to 30 blocks and made its way across the Ohio River with its first venture into Covington, Kentucky. The event now included more than 40 interactive art installations and 11 new permanent murals on building facades throughout the route.
The centerpiece of BLINK 2019 was the illumination of the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge — producers at Brave Berlin described their vision as bringing "the singing bridge" to life through light, color, and sound focused on the bridge's anchorage, gateway towers, arches, and spires. The event estimated to have brought in between 1.25 and 1.5 million people.
Blink 2017
In its inaugural year, Blink brought Cincinnati together under the vision of what a "future city" could be. Filled with light displays and art, the event stretched from The Banks across downtown to the edges of Over-the-Rhine. The free, four-day event was produced by local creative agency Brave Berlin, which built on the foundation of their Lumenocity events held in Washington Park from 2013–2015.
The festival spanned 20 blocks, divided into four zones roughly following the streetcar route — The Banks, the Central Business District around Fountain Square, Over-the-Rhine near Washington Park, and Findlay Market — and featured 21 light projection mappings, a parade, multiple building murals, 27 art installations, and six stages of live entertainment. The event far surpassed expectations both in execution and attendance, drawing more than 1 million visitors — the largest gathering of people ever in downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine.
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