Music and good times will fill downtown this weekend thanks to the Cincinnati Music Festival and visits from legends Al Green and Snoop Dogg, among many other talented artists. Coinciding with the music festival will also be the monumental grand opening of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame and the induction of its four new members.

Beyond music, you can check out foodie-favorite events like Cincy Soul: The Black Taste at Fountain Square and Bacon, Bourbon, and Brews at Newport on the Levee. There’s also plenty of other great events happening around town, so keep scrolling to find out more.

If you’re looking for even more to do every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to CityBeat readers.

Cincinnati Music Festival July 20-22 Get ready to get down at this year’s Cincinnati Music Festival, celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop. On Thursday, Doug E. Fresh kicks everything off, followed by Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane and Rakim, at Andrew J Brady Music Center. On Friday, the lineup is Gerald Albright, Midnight Star, Jodeci, Jill Scott and Al Green at Paycor Stadium. And finally, on Saturday, Norman Brown takes the stage at Paycor, followed by Avery Sunshine, P-Funk Connection, Baby Face and last, but not least, Snoop Dogg. Tickets start at $60. Thursday-Saturday, July 20-22. Andrew J Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., The Banks; Paycor Stadium, 1 Paycor Stadium, The Banks. cincymusicfestival.com. Photo: CityBeat archives
Cincy Soul: The Black Taste July 21-23 Share your appreciation for Black-owned restaurants, caterers and food trucks within the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. This event is a collaborative effort between volunteers within the African American community to “unite, cultivate, foster, educate and highlight African American entrepreneurship, while celebrating the Black experience through culinary excellence,” reads an event description. Performance arts, cultural displays and demonstrations will be presented along with the caterers and food trucks. July 21-23. Fifth Street & Fountain Square (520 Vine St.), Downtown. cincysoulblacktaste.com. Photo: Screengrab from Mr12am.com/cincysoulblacktaste.com
Color Breathing: The Work of Lyric Morris-Latchaw and Casey Dressell 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 21; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 22 This event is a two-person art exhibit using painted imagery, expansive color and natural materials. These combinations of artwork express an impactful and immersive environment that engages the senses. Along with traditional wall hangings, this exhibit also features artworks suspended from the ceiling and other positions that engage space in creative and thoughtful ways. Admission is free. This exhibition runs select days through Aug. 11. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 21; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 22. Kennedy Heights Arts Center. 6546 Montgomery Road, Kennedy Heights, kennedyarts.org. Photo: Provided by Mallory Feltz
Bacon, Bourbon, and Brew Festival July 21-23 The Bacon, Bourbon, and Brew Festival returns to Newport Festival Park this weekend. Food vendors are required to incorporate bacon, bourbon or beer into every dish, so you know the menus will be mouthwatering. Deep-fried bacon, bacon-wrapped shrimp, bacon pasta and more will be waiting for you there. The Bourbon Experience Tent returns with a wide selection of bourbons, while also hosting “Bourbon 101,” interactive informational tastings led by Tom Vetter. Bourbon not your speed? Stop by the “Moerlein Beer 101” sessions while listening to acoustic music and partaking in bourbon trivia. There will also be mixed drinks and non-alcoholic beverages available. Entertainment will also be performed by Doghouse, Swan, Michelle Robinson and more. July 21-23. Newport Festival Park, 1 Levee Way, Newport. facebook.com. Photo: Ty Wesselkamper
Christmas in July 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 22 Can’t wait for Christmas to come around? Now you don’t have to. Keep your holiday spirit ignited all year long with the free Christmas in July Spectacular. This Christmas refresher features food and beer trucks, kid-friendly activities, meet and greets with adoptable pets and over 40 local craft vendors. You can also get your holiday pictures done early with Santa from Wildflower & Sage Photography. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 22. League for Animal Welfare, 4193 Taylor Road, Batavia. lfaw.org. Photo: Amber Aquart/Unsplash
The City Flea at Washington Park 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 22 Support small businesses and local artists at the monthly City Flea, Cincy’s monthly curated, urban flea market. Shop for yourself or others from a wide selection of jewelry, trinkets, vintage memorabilia, home decor and more. Don’t have time to stop by? The City Flea will be back Aug. 12, Sept. 16 and Oct. 14. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 22. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St. cityflea.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony Noon July 22 The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is a tribute to Black artists from this region and their contributions in genres such as rock and roll, rap, jazz, pop, gospel and classical music. The 2023 induction ceremony will honor artists The Deele, James Brown, Philippé Wynne and Louise Shropshire. Special guest artist The Ohio Players will also be present. Noon July 22. Next to Andrew J Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., The Banks. cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org. Photo: facebook.com/The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
WakeNSkate with DJs Sneaks & Jigg at the Sawyer Point Roller Rink 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17 Grab your skates and enjoy the riverfront breeze while you skate the day away. Sawyer Point Roller Rink introduces WakeNSkate — a free morning skating session which will go to the fundraising campaign to refurbish the rink’s flooring. Don’t have any skates? No worries. A limited number of rental skates will be available to use at the rink. Music will accompany your morning of fun from DJs Sneaks & Jigg. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17 Sawyer Point Roller Rink, 925 Riverside Dr., Riverfront, cincinnatiparksfoundation.org. Photo: Cincinnati Parks
One Direction Night at Bogart’s 8 p.m. July 22 Club 90s is coming to Bogart’s with their show: Midnight Memories – 1D Night. This is an 18+ can’t-miss event. Rock out during the throwback of the year to all of your favorite One Direction songs. Get ready for a night of nostalgia and fun. It’s gonna be “Something Great.” Tickets start at $27. 8 p.m. July 22. Bogarts, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. livenation.com. Photo: marcen27/flickr.com/Wikimedia Commons
The OTR StillHouse is a distillery, winery and brewery in one located in a former 1890s ice manufacturing warehouse. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Arnold’s Bar & Grill today. Provided by Arnold's Bar