Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend, July 21-23

Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read
Al Green headlines the Cincinnati Music Festival on Friday.
Al Green headlines the Cincinnati Music Festival on Friday.
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1. Cincinnati Music Festival

Friday: Al Green, Jill Scott, Jodeci, Midnight Star, Gerald Albright. Saturday: Snoop Dogg, Babyface, P-Funk Connection, Avery Sunshine, Norman Brown.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Paycor Stadium, 1 Paul Brown Way, Downtown. Cincymusicfestival.com.

Fans during the Cincinnati Music Festival in 2022.
Fans during the Cincinnati Music Festival in 2022.

2. Dedication of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame

Featuring induction ceremony concert featuring The Ohio Players.

Details: noon Saturday, Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. All-white attire encouraged. Free. Cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org.

The Ohio Players, who originated in Dayton in 1959, playing"Love Rollercoaster" at the Cincinnati Music Festival in 2019.
The Ohio Players, who originated in Dayton in 1959, playing"Love Rollercoaster" at the Cincinnati Music Festival in 2019.

3. Cincy Soul: The Black Taste of Cincinnati

Black-owned restaurants, caterers and food trucks, plus entertainment, vendors and more.

Details: Friday-Sunday, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Coincides with the Cincinnati Music Festival. Cincysoulblacktaste.com.

Chocolate bacon prepared at a volunteer tent which is selling food to raise money for Clark Montessori Schools at the Bacon, Bourbon, and Brew Festival in 2018.
Chocolate bacon prepared at a volunteer tent which is selling food to raise money for Clark Montessori Schools at the Bacon, Bourbon, and Brew Festival in 2018.

4. Bacon, Bourbon and Brew

This family-friendly festival boasts a bourbon bar, bourbon experience tent, limited edition bourbons, live music, and a bacon-forward food menu.

Details: 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Festival Park, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Free admission. Cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.

5. Cincinnati Opera: 'Madame Butterfly'

Puccini’s tragedy is presented from a bold new point of view. New production created by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, Butterfly’s story is transported to a fantastical modern-day realm where reality and dreams intersect.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Part of Cincinnati Opera's Summer Festival. Continues July 27 and July 29. Cincinnatiopera.org.

A Cincinnati Reds fans cheers on the team in the ninth inning during a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Cincinnati Reds on June 30 at Great American Ball Park.
A Cincinnati Reds fans cheers on the team in the ninth inning during a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Cincinnati Reds on June 30 at Great American Ball Park.

6. Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Fireworks Friday. Reds Hawaiian shirt giveaway on Saturday. Reds baseball cards giveaway on Sunday.

Details: 7:10 p.m. Friday, 4:10 p.m. Saturday, 1:40 p.m. Sunday, Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Reds.com.

7. FC Cincinnati vs. Sporting KC

Group stages of Leagues Cup 2023. Pre-match party at Washington Park.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. Fccincinnati.com.

8. Butler County Fair

Competitions, livestock judging, carnival rides and games, demolition derby, rodeo, tractor pull and more.

Details: Sunday-July 29, Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton. $10, $5 ages 6-12 with adult. Butlercountyohfair.org.

The Junior Fair Market Hog Show at the Butler County Fair in 2019.
The Junior Fair Market Hog Show at the Butler County Fair in 2019.

9. Clermont County Fair

Competitions, livestock judging, tractor pull, rodeo. Live music with Sammy Kershaw, Colin Raye and Confederate Railroad on Friday. Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Details: Sunday-July 29, Clermont County Fairgrounds, 1000 Locust St., Owensville. Concert is free with paid fair admission. Upgrades are $12, VIP area $125. clermontcountyfair.com.

10. The Ohio Challenge

Hot air balloons, balloon glows at night, car show, fireworks, tethered balloon rides, plane and helicopter rides, air show, carnival rides and virtual plane jump.

Details: 5-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Hook Field, 2301 Wedekind Drive, Middletown. Ohiochallenge.com.

11. Jason Aldean: Highway Desperado Tour

With Mitchell Tenpenny, Corey Kent, Dee Jay Silver.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. Riverbend.org.

12. Stephen Marley "Babylon By Bus Tour"

With Subatomic Sound System.

Details: 6 p.m. doors Saturday, Riverfront Live, 4343 Kellogg Ave., East End. Riverfrontlivecincy.com.

Big Time Rush will play at Riverbend on Sunday.
Big Time Rush will play at Riverbend on Sunday.

13. Big Time Rush

With Jax and Max.

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org

14. Queen City 5K

Starts at stadium, continues along Smale Park past Great American Ball Park and Heritage Bank Center.

Details: 8 a.m. Saturday, Paycor Stadium, One Paul Brown Way, Downtown. Benefits Queen City Foundation. $35-$50. runsignup.com.

15. Queen City Blues Alliance: Two for the Show

Featuring Ben Levin Duo, Little Red & the Rooster, David Burk & Bob Lese, and Noah Wotherspoon & Jessi Bair.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Corryville. $10.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend, July 21-23