Cincinnati Music Festival: Everything you need to know

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The 63rd-annual Cincinnati Music Festival kicks off Thursday, and tens-of-thousands of jazz, R&B and hip-hop enthusiasts are expected to be in the Queen City this weekend.

Thursday celebrates hip-hop musicians, and it all begins at 7:30 p.m.

The Brady Music Center will host the first official night of the music festival with performances by Scarface, Goodie Mob, the Sugarhill Gang featuring the Furious Five and Young MC.

Fans will start making their way to Paycor Stadium Friday to see Anthony Hamilton, Jazmine Sullivan, PJ Morton, The Zapp Band and the headliner, Earth, Wind & Fire.

The first opener will go on at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday - the last day of festivities - will be a packed day with special performances from LL Cool J, Toni Braxton, Lucky Daye, 112, the Bar-Kays, The TMF Band (formerly Maze) featuring Jubu, Ronald Isley, Joe, After 7, Dave Hollister and Raheem Devaughn.

There will also be a tribute to Frankie Beverly that day, and it all starts at 7:15 p.m. at Paycor Stadium.

Tickets for the Cincinnati Music Festival are still available.

Other Cincinnati Music Festival Events happening

Thursday, July 24

• Rickey Smiley Morning Show
  • Fountain Square from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Friday, July 25

• Rickey Smiley Morning Show
  • Fountain Square from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Culture, Creativity and Connection Conversation with LL Cool J, Daphnee Duplaix, Keith D. Robinson, Colby Muhammad and Shelia Duckworth
  • Freedom Center at 12:30 p.m.
• Visit Cincy Marketplace
  • Fountain Square from 11 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
• P.T.O Day Party
  • Revel OTR at 2 p.m.
• Festival513
  • Freedom Way from 4 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, July 26

• Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
  • Andrew J Brady Music Center at noon
• Visit Cincy Marketplace
  • Fountain Square from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Festival 513
  • Freedom Way from noon to 2 a.m.
• All White Party hosted by Larenz Tate
  • Contemporary Art Center from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• On the B-Side Day Party
  • Nostalgia from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Parking

There are many parking lots and garages near Paycor Stadium and the Andrew J Brady Music Center.

Rideshare pick-up and drop-off is located near the intersection of Rosa Parks Street and Second Street.

Find gate entrances, parking options and more here.

For those who have field-level access, here are directions to get to Gate E.

Bag policy

Approved bags for the Cincinnati Music Festival:

• Clear bags no bigger than 12″x6″x12″
• Non-clear clutch no bigger than 6.5″x4.5″
• One gallon clear plastic freezer storage bag

For more information on unapproved bags, visit CMC’s website here.

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