Music Hall | May Festival

We're glad you're here.

Cincinnati Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark built in 1878, was beautifully restored in a major renovation in 2017 and stands tall with over a million red bricks in the heart of Cincinnati’s Historic Over-the-Rhine. The May Festival is why Music Hall was built has been celebrated at Cincinnati’s Music Hall for nearly 150 years. Check out the resources below to learn more.

Explore the Neighborhood

Music Hall is located in the vibrant Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, across from beautiful Washington Park. We're surrounded by great restaurants, bars, breweries, boutique shopping, art and culture.

Eat and Drink Nearby Cincinnati Hotels

Highlights of Music Hall's 2017 Renovation

: The Society for the Preservation of Music Hall (SPMH) has overseen every aspect of the restoration of the Corbett Tower event space, including revealing 14 feet of additional ceiling height, coved windows and ceilings and reconstructed historic stenciling.
: It isn’t just Corbett Tower that has been restored. Wander Music Hall to discover formerly hidden transoms, windows, coves and more. The architects have salvaged and featured every possible historic element, including everything hiding under the drywall.
: The architects who oversaw the renovation made clever use of under-utilized spaces in Music Hall, including empty carriageways that haven’t seen a horse in decades. While Springer Auditorium still looks and feels familiar, spaces such as the Wilks Studio (formerly a storage space) now make room for exciting new experiences, adding additional function and character to our treasured hall.
: This new space, created for wine and conversation, is a perfect example of design meets function. Front and center in the Grand Foyer, it is also a great place to pause if you’re running late or need to step out. It also hosts rotating art exhibits.
: SPMH has helped to take a few years off of Music Hall’s beautiful façade, bringing it closer in line with architect Samuel Hannaford’s original vision. The organization has overseen the repair and replacement of finials and other decorative ornamentation on the face of the Hall, as well as re-staining certain bricks to reveal patterns that had previously been sand-blasted from view.
: All new seats with increased width and legroom.
: You got it—more restrooms on all levels, with accessible stalls and family-friendly changing stations.
: Enjoy locally roasted coffee and snacks. Pre-order your drink and have it ready for you at intermission. Bring in your drink to most performances.
: All floors of Music Hall are now accessible via elevators, with increased wheelchair and companion seating options, plus a new assisted listening device system. If you or your guests require other accessible needs, please contact the Box Office.
: 3CDC construction photos, Jan-May 2016

3CDC construction photos, Jun-Sep 2016

3CDC construction photos, Oct-Dec 2016

3CDC construction photos, final phase

Preserving Music Hall for the Future

The Society for the Preservation of Music Hall is asking everyone to join them as they preserve, promote and enhance Music Hall now and for generations to come. Learn more.