Rhythm of the Night
Last weekend, Cincinnati Music Festival, presented by P&G, and the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony put Cincinnati in the national spotlight celebrating Black music and culture. According to Visit Cincy, hotels reached an average of 89% occupancy rate over the weekend, maintaining the record of being one of the region's largest annual tourism times of the year.
“The 2026 Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G was a powerful celebration of R&B music and culture, bringing together more than fans,” said Joe Santangelo, producer of the festival. “It was inspiring to see people from across the country travel to Cincinnati to experience the music and support our vibrant tourism economy.”
The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame celebrated its annual induction ceremony on Saturday, July 24 with the 2026 Class: Heatwave: Famed R&B/funk group behind “Always and Forever” and “Boogie Nights,” WCIN: A pioneering, historic Black-formatted radio station founded in 1953 and Regina Belle: 2026 Recipient of the Legacy Award. Additional signature events held during Cincinnati’s largest tourism weekend of the year, included: The Rickey Smiley Show Live on Fountain Square and Festival 513.
“The Cincinnati Music Festival is one of the events that makes our city shine on a national stage,” said Andrea Wilkerson, P&G Vice President, Brand & Consumer Insights. “As a Cincinnati-based company, P&G is proud to support a festival that celebrates incredible musical talent and creates lasting benefits for our local businesses, neighborhoods, and community. We're grateful to help make this incredible weekend possible year after year.”
As one of the largest urban music festivals in the United States, CMF featured live performances by Mary J Blige, Charlie Wilson, Nelly, Trey Songz, SWV, Doug E Fresh, Talib Kweli and more at Paycor Stadium.
The 60th Cincinnati Music Festival will return in 2027 from July 22–24. The full lineup of performances will be announced at a later date.
“The Cincinnati Music Festival Weekend is a true reflection of our city’s soul,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, Interim President & CEO of Visit Cincy. “Beyond the incredible performances, the festival brings people together, celebrates our cultural vibrancy, and fuels economic impact across the region. From the community events to the energy of our visitors, this weekend showcased Cincinnati’s heritage and our standing as a premier destination on the global stage.”
Official sponsors of the Cincinnati Music Festival are P&G, Visit Cincy/Meet NKY, AARP and Life Center.