What’s the Buzz?

Cincinnati Coffee Festival
Saturday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 26, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tickets and information at cincinnaticoffeefestival.com.

Caffeine, coffee and community come together this weekend as the Cincinnati Coffee Festival returns to Music Hall Oct. 25 and 26. More than 60 vendors of coffee, tea, baked goods, syrups, treats and more come together to chat about their favorite pick-me-up.

The Midwest’s premiere celebration of all things coffee comes on the heels of WalletHub’s new survey, declaring Cincinnati the #20 “coffee city” in America. The survey takes into consideration the number of cafes and drinkers, culture and “coffee-centric events” – and each will be on display this weekend.

The hallmark of the festival is that the vendors will meet you where you are: whether you’re an expert with an advanced palette and strong opinions on pour overs, or a newbie who likes your coffee giant, iced and sugary. Tastings are just the beginning. The festival packs in expert demonstrations, talks like “Vietnamese Coffee 101” and “Coffee Bag Decoding,” and the much-anticipated Latte Art Throwdown where top local baristas pour, swirl and battle for coffee-art supremacy.

Along the way to finding that perfect cup, you’ll also find connection. The event is hosted by the Ohio River Foundation, which points out “Without great water, you can’t have great coffee.” Every ticket supports their work to protect our watershed, keeping the Ohio River and its tributaries healthy - because coffee is 98% water. Even the best beans are reliant on a good water source to make a great cup.

So let’s plan your weekend at the Cincinnati Coffee Festival:

• Get your ticket ahead of time: the festival uses timed entry and certain sessions sell out.

• Arrive early if you can. Vendors love the early crowd, and you’ll likely get first pick of tastings. It’s a coffee festival, so early is the way to go.

• Bring your curiosity. Whether you drink one cup a day or consider yourself a coffee nerd, there’s something here for you: from casual tea-sippers to serious enthusiasts.

• Don’t like coffee? No problem. Tea purveyors, craft syrups, pastries, honey and more are available. Plus what better place to begin to appreciate coffee than a festival dedicated to it?

• And finally: take a moment to appreciate the vibe. Live music, community, shared love of good drinks - it’s a treat for your senses and a boost for local businesses.

Cincinnati’s coffee scene just keeps growing, and this festival is the perfect place to sip, sample, and connect with people who love it as much as you do.