Information to help make your Cincinnati Music Festival experience more enjoyable:
- The Cincinnati Music Festival will provide a Bag Check for patrons to leave items that are prohibited from the facility and the items can be retrieved upon exiting the concert. The Bag Check location will be located at the Elm Street entrance to the Paycor Stadium (Formally Paul Brown Stadium) plaza.
- Additionally, all bags will be checked upon entrance to the Stadium and all persons are subject to search by metal detectors.
- Pat-Downs – You and your belongings may be searched upon entry into the stadium. By tendering a ticket and entering the stadium, you consent to such searches and waive any related claims that you might have against the NFL, its member clubs, their affiliates and stadium landlord, or their agents. If you elect not to consent to the searches, you will be denied entry into the stadium.
- Counterfeit tickets – Be sure to purchase your festival tickets from this website or from TicketMaster (outlets, phone-charge, or ticketmaster.com). Unauthorized ticket brokers and scalpers often sell counterfeit tickets. Patrons attempting to enter the festival with counterfeit tickets will be refused admission and have their tickets confiscated.
- Which day to come? – If you’re still undecided on which day to attend the festival, why not come all three days?
- Gates – The gates open at 6:30pm on Friday and Saturday. If you have tickets, arriving early helps you avoid traffic. It is also particularly helpful if you have on field seats.
- Bootleg merchandise – If you plan to purchase any Cincinnati Music Festival souvenir merchandise, be sure to only make your purchase at one of the official festival souvenir booths. Bootleggers often roam the festival grounds selling inferior bootleg or counterfeit merchandise.
- Weather – The festival is held rain or shine.
- Smoking – Smoking is not permitted in the seating area. Smoking is permitted in any of the open-air landings and designated areas.
- Children – Children age 2 and under are admitted free only when accompanied by an adult holding a general admission ticket. All patrons seated in reserved (in-house) seats must have a ticket, regardless of age.
- Seating – Only persons holding reserved tickets will be admitted into the in-house seating area.
- Drinking and driving – Drive safely and don’t drink and drive.
- Drop-off areas – There are two separate drop-off areas available to the elderly and the disabled. The first is located along the east side of Central Avenue between Pete Rose Way and Mehring Way, heading north on Central Avenue. There is also a drop-off area at the corner of Race Street and Freedom Way.
- Schedule changes – The festival’s talent lineup and schedule are subject to change without notice.
What to Bring
What NOT to Bring
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen – to protect you on hot, sunny days.
- Fanny pack or backpack – to carry your souvenirs, gifts, and belongings. Note all bags are subject to inspection prior to entry.
- All bags and purses must fit in an 16″ X 16″ X 8″ box
- Cellular phone – to allow you to connect with friends attending the festival.
- Pen, paper, and/or business cards – to exchange phone numbers with old friends you’ll run into and new friends you’ll meet.
- Tickets – If you’ve pre-purchased tickets, don’t forget to bring them with you! If your tickets are being held at the box office, plan to arrive early to allow time to pick up your tickets. The box office will be open by 9am on Friday and Saturday.
- Photo ID – If your tickets are being held at the box office, you will need to show a valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID to claim your tickets.
- Cincinnati Music Festival clothing – Get into the Cincinnati Music Festival spirit by wearing your vintage Cincinnati Music Festival shirt or hat to the festival.
- Comfortable pair of shoes – since you’ll probably be doing lots of walking throughout the day.
- Comfortable clothes – Dress for the weather.
- Photo camera – to treasure your memories of this year’s festival. Camcorders are prohibited.
- Jacket, sweatshirt, and/or sweatpants – The outside temperature can drop significantly after sunset.
- Binoculars – if you’re seated far from the stage.
- Cash – to purchase souvenirs, food, CDs, and crafts at the festival. Also, if you plan on purchasing your tickets at the box office, please bring cash.
- Credit cards – Many of the craft exhibitors accept credit cards. However, credit cards are not accepted at the box office. Please note: if you have ordered E-Tickets online, you will need to show the actual credit card that was used to purchase your tickets.
- Rain hat or poncho – in case of showers.
The following items are prohibited at the Cincinnati Music Festival:
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Animals (except for animals that assist people with disabilities)
- Audio Recording Equipment
- Bottles, Cans, or other containers (except sealed bottles of water)
- Chairs
- All bags and purses must fit in an 16″ X 16″ X 8″ box
- Hard Side Coolers, Ice Chests or Thermoses
- Fireworks or missile-like objects
- Frisbees
- Illegal Substances
- Laser Pointers
- Noisemaking devices: i.e. bells, bullhorns, whistles, etc
- Sticks, bats, poles, or clubs
- Strollers
- Tripods
- Umbrellas
- Video or Movie Cameras
- Weapons: I.e. guns, knives, mace, handcuffs, nightsticks, blackjacks, etc.
- Anything that can be used as a projectile or deemed dangerous
- The Cincinnati Music Festival will provide a Bag Check tent for patrons to leave items that are prohibited from the facility and the items can be retrieved upon exiting the concert. The Bag Check location will be located at the Elm Street entrance to the Paycor Stadium (Formally Paul Brown Stadium) Stadium plaza.
Next Steps…
Make sure to purchase your tickets and join our email list below to stay updated. Save the dates, reserve your vacation days, and start saving your cash. Plan your wardrobe, practice your dance moves, and stay tuned.