What: Northside Rock ‘n Roll Carnival, 4th of July Parade and Festival
Where: Hoffner Park, Northside
When: Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3
Cost: Free
The weekend kicks off at 6 pm on Friday, July 2, with music from The Long Gones, The Sundresses, You, You’re Awesome, The Pickled Brothers Sideshow, The Kiss Me Everlasting, The Tempers and the Queen City String Band on the main stage. The street stage will feature a fire and light performance by Incendium Arts with new, never before seen stunts including fire breathers, a drag show, sword swallowers and a bed of nails! Enjoy ice cold adult beverages from the beer garden and delicious local food!
Saturday’s festivities begin at noon, with the parade on Hamilton Avenue, followed by music from State Song, Brian Olive, Daniel Martin Moore, The Tigerlillies, Baoku Moses and the Image Afrobeat, Cletus Romp, Ricky Nye Inc and Dance With Me, LLC. If you’d like to volunteer, they could always use some extra hands, so head here for more information on that.
What: PBR Independence Day Throwdown
Where: Southgate House, Newport, KY
When: Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3
Cost: $8-10 Friday, $12-15 Saturday
The Southgate House’s annual party kicks off at 9 pm on Friday, July 2, with a whole house show full of music from Banderas, The Broken Spurs, Frank Rocket, Kill City, The Spikedrivers, Straw Boss, The Rubber Knife Gang and The Lewis Brothers. Tickets are priced at $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
The party continues at 8 pm on Saturday, July 3, with music from Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock, The Cincinnati Sidecars, Willie Heath Neal, Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes, Rumble Club, Hollowbody Hellraisers and Straw Boss. Tickets are priced at $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
What: Wet Hot Northside Summer
Where: Mayday, Northside
When: Saturday, July 3
Cost: Free
Mayday’s first ever 4th of July party kicks off at 4 pm, with music by Billy Catfish, The Chocolate Horse’s Jason Snell featuring Dave Cupp, Lovely Crash, Swear Jar, The Dukes and First Wave.
What: PNC/MidPoint’s Indie Summer
Where: Fountain Square, Downtown
When: Friday, July 2
Cost: Free
The fifth Indie Summer event of the year will feature music from Pomegranates, Enlou, The No No Knots and Come On Caboose. Music begins at 7 pm and goes until about 11 pm. There’s also a variety of mixed drinks and beers from Goose Island, as well as food from Skyline Chili, Tom + Chee and The Elusive Cow. You can also pick up discounted three-day tickets to September’s MidPoint Music Festival, which are priced at $29 (originally priced at $39).
What: Red, White and Boom! July 4th Celebration
Where: Riverbend Music Center
When: Sunday, July 4
Cost: $15-20
The Cincinnati Pops Symphony and Orchestra returns for their annual, traditional celebration on the banks of the Ohio, featuring all your favorite patriotic songs and anthems including “Liberty For All.”