Going to the WEBN Fireworks? How to properly kiss summer goodbye at Riverfest 2025

As always, Riverfest, an all-day affair with music, food, entertainment and other family fun, concludes with the 30-minute Rozzi Fireworks show on both sides of the Ohio River, along with the accompanying soundtrack from WEBN. The show will broadcast on Local 12 (WKRC-TV).

Whether you're planning to venture to the riverbanks for the end-of-summer bash or are watching the show from the comfort of your home, here's everything you need to know about Riverfest and the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks.

When is Riverfest 2025?

The annual celebration occurs from noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 31 at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove, per the city of Cincinnati's website.

When do the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks start?

The 49th annual Rozzi Fireworks show, hosted by the cities of Cincinnati, Covington, Newport and Bellevue, kicks off at 9 p.m. Aug. 31 and lasts for approximately 30 minutes.

Tarp setup begins at 3 p.m. Aug 31. Anything placed before that time will be removed and destroyed, according to WEBN's FAQ page. Tarps and blankets can only be placed with painter's, gaffer or masking tapes. They cannot be secured with duct tape, rocks, bricks, sand or gallon jugs of water.

Tarp setup for the Western & Southern WEBN fireworks show begins at 3 p.m. on Aug 31.

WEBN asks attendees to be considerate of others and only reserve a "reasonable amount of space."

The choreographed show, with accompanying music, will also broadcast live on WEBN and WKRC.

Are boats allowed to tie up this year?

Yes, boats are allowed to watch the fireworks from three anchorage areas on the Ohio River: miles 469.2-469.5 (300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline), 469.2 – 469.5 (300 feet from the Ohio shoreline) and 470.3-470.5 (300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline).

The safety zone for the fireworks show will take effect from 7-10 p.m., Aug. 31, and will span Ohio River mile 469.2-470.5 and Licking River mile 0.0-0.3. Vessels must be anchored in the spectator zones before 7 p.m. as traffic in and out of this zone will be prohibited during this period.

The no-wake zone, which runs from Ohio River mile marker 463-477 and Licking River mile marker 0.0-0.3, will be in effect from noon Aug. 31 until 3 a.m. Sept. 1. Cross traffic will resume through Downtown approximately 15 minutes after the fireworks show ends.

Boats will be allowed to watch the Western & Southern WEBN fireworks from three anchorage areas on the Ohio River.

The U.S. Coast Guard, as well as multiple law enforcement, fire fighting and water rescue agencies, will facilitate vessels entering and exiting the Ohio River.

Do you need tickets for Riverfest?

No, Riverfest is free and open to the public.

What you can and cannot bring inside Riverfest/Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks

No large bags, luggage or framed backpacks are permitted inside the event. Only purses, diaper bags and other small personal bags and backpacks are allowed after an inspection.

The following items are prohibited:

• Weapons including but not limited to: knives, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, etc. People in possession of those items will be asked to remove the items from the park or dispose of them.
• Outside food and beverage, but empty plastic reusable bottles are permitted.
• Alcohol.
• Illegal drugs and paraphernalia.
• Cans, glass or metal containers.
• Coolers unless medically required. If required, an individual-sized soft-sided cooler will be permitted but will be searched and tagged at the gate.
• Animals/pets, except for service animals.
• Aerosol cans.
• Balloons, beach balls or other inflatable items.
• Fireworks or incendiary devices of any kind.
• Musical instruments.
• Noise-making devices, including whistles and air horns.
• Hula-Hoops of any size.
• Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, scooters, hoverboards, bicycles, carts, segways and personal motorized vehicles. However, all modes of ADA transportation are acceptable.
• Tools.
• Pamphlets, flyers and handbills unless approved by management.
• Large "golf" umbrellas are prohibited. Personal, folding and collapsible umbrellas will be permitted.
• Any other items deemed inappropriate or unacceptable by management.

Road closures and parking information for Riverfest

Several roads and bridges in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport will close for the festivities and fireworks. Traffic will also be rerouted in various places.

While the city of Newport has announced its road closures for this year's Riverfest, Cincinnati and Covington municipalities have yet to release their 2025 lists.

Here's what to know.

Newport traffic for Riverfest

• To accommodate the large crowds, the following roads will be closed Aug. 31:
• Riverboat Row, west of port entry to Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 8 a.m.
• Columbia Street, north of Third Street: closes at 8 a.m.
• Purple People Bridge: closes at 8 a.m. and will reopen at 2 a.m. Sept. 1.
• Taylor Southgate Bridge: closes to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 7:30 p.m.
• Monmouth Street (Third to 11th streets): Closes at 7:30 p.m. No parking on Monmouth Street after 6:30 p.m.
• Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 7:30 p.m.
• I-471 ramps to Route 8 (Exit 5) both north and south: close at 7:30 p.m.
• 10th Street, between Saratoga and York streets: closes at 7:30 p.m.
• Fourth Street Bridge: closes at 8:30 p.m.
• All other I-471 ramps: close at 8:30 p.m.
• Licking Pike (Route 9), north of Aspen Drive: closes at 9 p.m.
• I-471 North will remain open during the event unless the safety of the motorist determines it needs to be closed.

Here's what to know if you're leaving Newport after Riverfest:

• All traffic leaving the event will be routed to I-471 or I-275. If you're directed to a route you are not wanting to take, continue to the route as instructed. Once you're on the interstate, just take any exit to be turned around. The street closures and large traffic may mean you can't take the direct route to your destination.
• At approximately 9 p.m., Monmouth Street will reopen and change to a one-way street going south, to send all traffic to I-471.
• All traffic west of York Street will be directed south to 12th Street, which will become a one-way street going west to send all traffic to I-275.
• After the event, all traffic near Dave Cowens Drive (Route 8) will be sent to I-471 North or South.
• All traffic from Riverboat Row and Levee Garage on Columbia Street must make a right on West Third Street. A right turn will take you around the Fourth Street roundabout, where you will be directed toward Wilder.
• Once Covington Police opens its side of the Fourth Street Bridge, traffic will be allowed to travel west through Covington.