The start of Cincinnati’s biggest event is just hours away. Roughly 30 blocks will soon be shut down for BLINK, the nation’s largest display of light and art, but unless you’re good at reading a map, getting around can be confusing. There’s no official app yet for BLINK. But that’s where BLOOP comes in.
BLOOP, a brand-new app from local developer Nathan Bolender, provides an interactive map of BLINK installations and attractions along with event and music information, search and filtering tools and walking directions. In addition, the app works offline when cell reception is poor, allowing users to navigate through the festival regardless of how busy it gets.
But BLINK is only the beginning. Unlike other apps created for the festival, BLOOP is designed to remain useful long after BLINK ends. The app already includes a guide featuring more than 180 public murals from 1001 Colors, allowing users to discover Cincinnati’s murals year-round. More guides to public art and cultural attractions are planned for the app in the future, and users can submit their own art installations to be displayed on the app, as well.
“BLOOP is about making it easier to explore Cincinnati,” Bolender said. “BLINK is an incredible place to start because there’s so much to see and experience, but Cincinnati has an amazing public art scene year-round. We wanted to build something that could help people discover both the festival and the art that’s here every day.”
The app’s guide-based design allows visitors to switch between different collections of places and experiences while keeping the map focused on what they’re currently exploring.
Key features of the app include:
• An interactive map of BLINK 2026 installations and attractions
• Up-to-date event and music information
• The ability to favorite attractions and keep track of places you’ve visited
• Search and filters to quickly find specific types of art and attractions
• Walking directions and navigation between locations
• An offline-first experience, allowing users to continue exploring even when cellular service is limited or unavailable
• Regularly updated information as festival details and events change
• Guides covering past BLINK editions, public murals from 1001 Colors, and future topics such as local architecture and history.
The app is completely free to download now on BLOOP’s official website.