Going to Cincinnati Music Festival? Paycor Stadium's bag policy, parking and more
Cincinnati Music Festival is taking over Paycor Stadium this weekend.
The annual event returns to downtown Cincinnati from July 25-27, featuring popular R&B acts that include New Edition, Maxwell, Ne-Yo, Fantasia and more.
Are you planning to dance the night away at Cincinnati Music Festival 2024? Here's everything you need to know before you enter Paycor Stadium.
How to show tickets for Cincinnati Music Festival
According to the Cincinnati Music Festival website, attendees with mobile tickets or printed tickets from the box office can enter the stadium. No re-entry will be allowed during the festival. Once a ticket has been scanned, it cannot be scanned again, per the event's website.
Will-call tickets can be picked up at the Paycor Stadium box office on the plaza level between gates B and C.
Is Paycor Stadium cashless?
Paycor Stadium is a cashless facility, meaning visitors can only use a credit card, debit card or mobile payment for all purchases. This includes all concession stands and retail locations. All roaming vendors will have mobile credit card devices to process cashless payments.
Visitors with cash can use one of the stadium's cash-to-card kiosks. These kiosks allow users to upload funds onto a payment card without additional fees. The cards can be used anywhere, not just at the stadium.
The kiosks are in two locations: one on the north side of the stadium by Gate B, sections 120/122, and the other on the south side by Gate E, sections 148/149.
What is Paycor Stadium's bag policy?
Festivalgoers beware! Paycor Stadium has a clear bag policy. The only bags permitted inside are one-gallon plastic resealable freezer bags, clear plastic bags smaller than 12x6x12 inches, clutch purses smaller than 4.5x6.5 inches and seat cushions with no pockets.
Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items.
Prohibited bags include:
Backpacks.
Binocular cases.
Camera bags.
Tinted plastic bags.
Printed pattern plastic bags.
Briefcases.
Fanny packs.
Luggage.
Large tote bags.
Diaper bags.
Purses.
Clinch Bags.
Prohibited items must either be returned to the owner's vehicle or discarded. No items may be left at the gate.
For more information, visit bengals.com.
Can you bring food and drinks inside Paycor Stadium?
Sealed water bottles are permitted, but food is prohibited except for medical and dietary conditions.
Here's a list of other items not permitted inside Paycor Stadium. Violators may be removed from the festival without a refund.
Alcoholic beverages.
Food (exceptions for medical/dietary conditions).
Animals (exceptions for service animals).
Beverage containers.
Bottles and cans (exceptions for unopened water bottles).
Chairs.
All coolers (unless medically required).
Confetti.
Illegal substances.
Noisemakers.
Obscene or indecent clothing.
Recording equipment.
Segways and motorized scooters (exceptions for mobility devices).
Sticks, bats, poles or clubs, selfie sticks.
Strollers.
Thermal containers.
Tripods and monopods.
Umbrellas.
Cameras with lenses that exceed 6 inches.
Video cameras.
Weapons.
Remote-controlled aircraft and drones.
Any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate.
Where to park for Cincinnati Music Festival
Performances begin each night at 7:30 p.m. at Andrew J. Brady Music Center and Paycor Stadium, located right beside each other. Red Bike stations are available downtown for those who want to skip the traffic. The Connector, a free streetcar that stops throughout Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, operates 365 days a year and has extended service hours for select events.
The bus station on Fifth and Main is also not a far walk from the festival. For drivers, festival organizers recommend the following lots for parking:
Duke Energy Center Garage 1: 605 Plum St.
Duke Energy Center Garage 2: 609 Elm St.
Fountain Square Garage: 520 Vine St.
The former Enquirer Building Parking Garage: 312 Elm St.
Third and Race Street Lot: Corner of Third and Race streets.
Scripps Center Garage: 312 Walnut St.
Third and Main Lot: 120 E. Third St.
Queen City Square Parking Garage: 319-331 E. Fourth St.
Western and Southern Garage: 310 Broadway St.
Broadway Lot: 295 Broadway St.
East Garage: 443 E. Pete Rose Way.
Longworth Hall Lot: 700 W. Pete Rose Way.
South Lot: 131 Madison St., Newport.
Where is the rideshare drop-off and pick-up area at Paycor Stadium?
If you plan to use a rideshare service, such as Uber or Lyft, this weekend, be aware that the increased number of people could mean a surge in prices or longer wait times.
Festival organizers ask people using rideshares to be dropped off and picked up on Second Street, just west of Race Street.
Where is the ADA drop-off and pick-up area at Paycor Stadium?
There is an ADA drop-off area on Central Avenue between Mehring Way and Pete Rose Way. After the concert, ADA guests can be picked up on the corner of Race Street and Freedom Way.
How to enter Paycor Stadium for Cincinnati Music Festival
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. each night, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. If you have tickets in sections 1-12, you must enter through Gate E, per the event's website.
If you have tickets for the 100, 200 or 300 levels, you must enter through Gate C or Gate D.
Does Paycor Stadium have a roof?
Paycor Stadium does not have a roof. It is considered an outdoor stadium, but an overhang covers some upper-level seats.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Music Festival: Paycor Stadium bag policy, parking, more
