What's happening in 2024 in Cincinnati? 10 things to watch out for next year

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
·5 min read

From Taylor Swift taking over Paycor Stadium for two sold-out nights, to recreational marijuana becoming legal in Ohio, 2023 has been a memorable year.

While it is important to reflect on the past 365 days and all the changes it has brought to the Queen City, we should also take a moment to look ahead to next year.

Here's a rundown of what's happening in 2024 in Greater Cincinnati. Happy New Year, readers!

Lights, camera, action! Blink Cincinnati returns

Blink Cincinnati, the nation's largest art, light, and projection mapping festival returns Oct. 17-20, 2024.
Blink Cincinnati, the nation's largest art, light, and projection mapping festival returns Oct. 17-20, 2024.

Mark your calendars because the nation's largest art, light, and projection mapping festival returns to Greater Cincinnati Oct. 17-20, after a one-year hiatus. In 2022, Blink attracted over 2 million people during the four-day event, resulting in an economic impact of $126 million.

Cincinnati USA regional chamber president and CEO Brendon Cull told The Enquirer he plans to build on the chamber's past successes with the next iteration.

Get ready to boogey at the 63rd annual Cincinnati Music Festival

2024 Cincinnati Music Festival performers include New Edition, Kem, SWV, Maxwell, Ne-Yo, Fantasia and more.
2024 Cincinnati Music Festival performers include New Edition, Kem, SWV, Maxwell, Ne-Yo, Fantasia and more.

The 63rd annual Cincinnati Music Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the United States, attracting over 90,000 people from around the country with its roster of R&B, jazz, soul and hip-hop artists, will return to Paycor Stadium July 25-27. Performers for the three-day festival include New Edition, Kem, SWV, Maxwell, Ne-Yo, Fantasia and more.

Luke Combs, Green Day and more

Luke Combs will headline two nights at Paycor stadium in 2024.
Luke Combs will headline two nights at Paycor stadium in 2024.

The Cincinnati Music Festival isn't the only major concert announcement of 2024. Several artists across various genres, including country, alternative, hip-hop, and more, have announced concerts in Cincinnati for next year. Here's a list of some of the biggest names coming to the Queen City:

  • Andrea Bocelli, Heritage Bank Center, April 7.

  • Busta Rhymes: Blockbusta, Andrew J. Brady Music Center, April 18.

  • Hootie & the Blowfish, Riverbend Music Center, June 7.

  • New Kids on the Block: Magic Summer Tour, Riverbend Music Center, June 21.

  • Niall Horan, Riverbend Music Center, June 25.

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers, Riverbend Music Center, July 5.

  • Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire: Heart & Soul Tour, Riverbend Music Center, July 19.

  • Alanis Morissette: Triple Moon Tour, Riverbend Music Center, July 24.

  • Foo Fighters, Great American Ball Park, July 25.

  • Creed, Riverbend Music Center, Aug. 2.

  • Luke Combs, Paycor Stadium, Aug. 2-3.

  • Voices of America Country Music Fest, Voice of America MetroPark, Aug. 9-11.

  • Green Day: The Saviors Tour, Great American Ball Park, Aug. 22.

  • Thomas Rhett, Great American Ball Park, Aug. 29.

The murder trial of George 'Billy' Wagner III begins

George "Billy" Wagner III, one of the four members of the Wagner family charged in the shooting deaths of seven members of Pike County’s Rhoden family and one future member, will begin trial on May 6.
George "Billy" Wagner III, one of the four members of the Wagner family charged in the shooting deaths of seven members of Pike County’s Rhoden family and one future member, will begin trial on May 6.

One of Ohio's largest criminal cases continues next year. George "Billy" Wagner III, one of the four members of the Wagner family charged in the shooting deaths of seven members of Pike County’s Rhoden family and one future member, will begin trial on May 6. The trial is slated to last eight weeks, per an October hearing.

Like his two sons and wife, Wagner was charged with eight counts of aggravated murder and 14 related charges for the Rhoden homicides. Wagner maintains his innocence.

Beat the heat with the Cincinnati Summer Festival lineup

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the country's largest Oktoberfest celebration, will return to downtown Cincinnati Sept. 19-22.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the country's largest Oktoberfest celebration, will return to downtown Cincinnati Sept. 19-22.

Taste of Cincinnati, one of the nation's largest free culinary arts festivals, returns to Fifth Street in downtown Cincinnati May 25-27. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the country's largest Oktoberfest celebration, will also return to downtown Cincinnati on Sept. 19-22. The event location has yet to be determined. The 13th annual Asian Food Fest will be held at the Court Street Plaza on April 27-28.

First Reds season without Joey Votto in 17 years

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who spent 17 seasons with the team, is now a free agent.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who spent 17 seasons with the team, is now a free agent.

What are the Cincinnati Reds without Joey Votto? Next spring, fans will find out.

The Reds declined the franchise icon’s $20 million contract option for next season, making Votto a free agent and ending a 22-year relationship with the six-time All-Star and 2010 MVP.

Votto, who spent 17 seasons with the Reds, is now a free agent. There's a chance he could return to Cincinnati after testing the free-agent market, but it's unlikely.

Cincinnati High School Sports Awards returns

Cincinnati Enquirer sports writer Shelby Dermer presented Waynesville's Samantha Erbach with the 2023 Girls Athlete of the Year award from the Cincinnati High School Sports Awards.
Cincinnati Enquirer sports writer Shelby Dermer presented Waynesville's Samantha Erbach with the 2023 Girls Athlete of the Year award from the Cincinnati High School Sports Awards.

The Cincinnati High School Sports Awards will return in 2024 to honor the high school athletes in the region.

The nine-month student-athlete recognition program will culminate in a red carpet show in June. More details, including the date, venue and ticketing information, will be announced later. Nominees for Player of the Year across 30 sports will be announced throughout the year through The Enquirer.

Worldpay to bring 500 new jobs to Cincinnati area

Payment processing company Worldpay Inc. plans to bring its headquarters back to the Cincinnati area next year, creating 500 new jobs and $56 million in annual payroll. The company is slated to reestablish a new headquarters early next year at 8500 Governors Hill Drive in Symmes Township, a northeast suburb of Cincinnati where Worldpay's predecessor, Vantiv, was located.

Brent Spence Bridge project begins

The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will break ground on the new $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge project in early 2024.
The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will break ground on the new $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge project in early 2024.

The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will break ground on the new $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge project in early 2024. The Ohio and Kentucky transportation departments will also work together to build a companion bridge adjacent to the existing bridge.

The new bridge, which will allow for the separation of local and through traffic, will be built before upgrades are made to the existing bridge. This will allow the new bridge to absorb traffic from the existing bridge while construction is underway.

Duke Energy Convention Center to close for 18 months

What the Duke Energy Convention Center could look like after $200 million in renovations.
What the Duke Energy Convention Center could look like after $200 million in renovations.

Downtown Cincinnati's Duke Energy Convention Center will shut down completely for 18 months starting in late June or early July 2024 for renovations. The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., or 3CDC, said the $200 million renovation project will be completed in time for events booked for January 2026. However, closing the Downtown convention center will likely have repercussions for the hospitality and entertainment industries next year, Enquirer real-estate reporters Sydney Franklin and Randy Tucker state.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 10 things to watch out for in 2024 in Greater Cincinnati