Cincinnati Burger Week Returns July 10-16, 2023

It's Official: The National's Homecoming Festival is Returning to Cincinnati This September

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, May 19 at 10 a.m.

By Katherine Barrier on Wed, May 17, 2023 at 10:00 am

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Photo: Graham MacIndoe

The National

Have The National gods finally smiled upon Cincinnati? Yes, yes they have.

The National’s Homecoming Festival is officially returning to Cincinnati Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15-16. It’ll be the first time since its inaugural 2018 edition that the festival will come to Cincinnati. Billboard called the event a “ritual of renewal, discovery and surprises in the place that's still home in their hearts” in 2018.

This year’s festival will be held at the ICON Festival Stage in Smale Park, and The National will headline both days of the festival and perform a unique set each night as a thank-you to their fans, says a press release. Other acts will include Patti Smith & Her Band, Pavement, Weyes Blood and The Walkmen.

“When we launched Homecoming in 2018, we were overwhelmed by the response from the community and by our renewed sense of connection to our hometown. It was such an exciting, memorable weekend and we’ve long hoped to bring it back,” The National said in the release. “We’re honored to return to Cincinnati five years later and be joined by so many of our favorite musicians and friends.”

Single-day, weekend and VIP passes will be on sale starting Friday, May 19 at 10 a.m., but members of The National’s Cherry Tree fan club get first pick of tickets with a special presale on Thursday, May 18 starting at 9 a.m. The VIP option includes a preferred viewing and concessions area and a special Homecoming fanzine produced by longtime National collaborator Graham MacIndoe. Cherry Tree fan club members will also receive the fanzine, as well as early entry into the venue.

Watch: The National Releases Video for New Single 'Eucalyptus': In the lyrics, The National gives a shout-out to another Cincinnati stalwart, the Afghan Whigs.

The National’s newest album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, came out April 28 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Alternative and Top Rock charts. Their appearance at Homecoming is part of their 2023 tour, which kicks off in Chicago on Thursday.

Here’s the full lineup for Homecoming:

Friday
The National
Patti Smith & Her Band
The Walkmen
Arooj Aftab
Bartees Strange
Carriers
Ballard

Saturday
The National
Pavement
Weyes Blood
Snail Mail
Julia Jacklin
The Drin
Leo Pastel