Discover Downtown Cincinnati

Redsfest

Fountain District

Tickets are on sale now for the two-day fan fest on Friday, January 16 & Saturday, January 17, 2026! Redsfest is scheduled to be the very first event at the newly renovated convention center. Stay tuned for more information to come soon!

Address: Cincinnati Convention Center, Cincinnati OH 45202

Hell’s Kitchen

Fountain District

January 13-15 | Various Times Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire–searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you've never felt before– Hell’s Kitchen, a new musical from 16-time Grammy® Award winner Alicia Keys, whose new songs and greatest hits about growing up in NY inspire a story made for Broadway. Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the '90s, Hell’s Kitchen is a love story between a mother and daughter. It's about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin. Hailed as a New York Times Critic’s Pick that is, “thrilling from beginning to end–a rare must-see!" Hell’s Kitchen is directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, with choreography by four-time Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, and the music of Alicia Keys.

Address: Aronoff Center for the Arts, Cincinnati OH 45202

UC Health Ice Rink presented by Fifth Third Bank

Fountain District

A decades-old Cincinnati tradition formerly housed at Fountain Square, the UC Health Ice Rink presented by Fifth Third Bank, has officially relocated to Elm Street Plaza for the 2025-2026 rink season. The outdoor ice rink will take over Elm Street Plaza from November 22 to February 16. Daily hours are subject to change; please visit the Facebook Page for daily updates! QUICK FACTS:

• Ice Rink admission + skate rental is $12/person; Children 5 and under are free with a paid adult.
• Children under 55 inches must be accompanied by an adult while on the ice.
• Admission and skate rentals end one hour before the rink closes.
• Hours are subject to change due to weather or special events.
• View our calendar of events for details about special events.

Address: Elm Street Plaza , Cincinnati OH 45202

Cincinnati Cyclones vs Rapid City Rush 

The Banks

January 16 | 6:30PM Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile. Put on your best tie-dye shirt and help us celebrate 60 years of the Grateful Dead. Plus it's a 513 Friday featuring $5 Craft Drafts & Seltzers, $1 Popcorn, and $3 Burgers!

Address: Heritage Bank Center , Cincinnati OH 45202

MLK Fifth Third Community Day 2026

The Banks

January 19 | 11AM-5PM Join us for our Fifth Third Community Day on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! See the Freedom Center’s newest exhibit about the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Jubilation!, join various programs and talks, learn about service-oriented organizations tabling throughout the center and participate in a community blood drive hosted by Hoxworth Blood Center. MLK Day tickets are free, but registration is recommended. Reserve your free tickets online or in-person. Fifth Third Community Days are made possible through the generous support of the Fifth Third Foundation. Museum hours and programming: Museum is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with free admission, service information tables, talks, and all exhibits and self-guided activities available. The Hoxworth Blood Drive is from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the 4th floor. Walkups accepted but donors are encouraged to register in advance. All donors at the Freedom Center will receive FREE UC puffy vest + $10 Kroger gift card while supplies last! The Service Fair is from 12 to 5 p.m. throughout the building and includes organizations such as Poverty Liberation Collective, The Zonta Club of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI), Ignite Peace and Groundwork Ohio River Valley. Talks are in the Harriet Tubman Theater and include Dr. Megan Gerhardt and KLC keynote speaker Kahlil Greene at 1 p.m. and Trudy Gaba, NURFC Social Justice Curator on “Lifting as We Climb: A glimpse into Historically Black Benevolent and Mutual Aid Societies” at 2:30 p.m.

Address: The National Underground Freedom Center , Cincinnati OH 45202

51st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative March

The Banks Over-the-Rhine

January 19 | 10:30AM Join the Cincinnati region in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 51st Annual Commemorative March, with the 2026 theme, "Bending the Arc Toward Justice." Walk one mile — organized by the MLK Coalition — beginning in front of the National Underground Freedom Center, continuing along Vine, W. 9th, and Elm streets, and concluding at Washington Park. A complimentary Rosa Parks Bus, provided by Metro, is available for those unable to complete the walk. After the march, you are invited to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Program at Music Hall to continue honoring Dr. King’s legacy with community, music and reflection. Bundle up, lace your walking shoes and show your support.

Address: National Underground Railroad Center, Cincinnati OH 45202

Aziz Ansari: Hypothetical Tour

The Banks

Sunday, January 25 | 6PM Award-winning comedian, actor, director, and writer AZIZ ANSARI announced he will bring his highly anticipated new “Hypothetical Tour” to Cincinnati’s The Andrew J Brady Music Center® on Sunday, January 25.

Address: Andrew J. Brady Center , Cincinnati OH 45202

Final Friday at Pendleton Art Center

Pendleton

May 30th, 2025 | 5PM-9PM With over 200 artists, PAC is the world’s largest collection of artists under one roof. Open to the public during Final Friday, check out pendletonartcenter.com/events for dates and times. The Pendleton Art Center is open to the public every month on the last Friday (Final Friday) from 5-9 pm. Individual artists are also available by appointment at their discretion. The building has an attendant, elevator operator from 9:00 am til 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Some artists and shops have business hours: Check the individual shops for their hours and availability.

Address: Pendelton Art Gallery, Cincinnati 45202