These reader-voted picks are from the 2026 LINK nky Readers’ Choice Awards. Check out the winners in every category here.
Northern Kentucky is bursting with creativity and culture, and nobody knows that better than the people who call this vibrant community theirs.
From world-class museums and live music venues to beloved local bands and one-of-a-kind festivals, the arts and entertainment scene in Northern Kentucky is anything but ordinary.
This year’s Reader’s Choice Awards shine a spotlight on the venues, events, artists and experiences that our community keeps coming back to (and frankly, can’t stop raving about).
These winners weren’t chosen by a panel of judges or a committee. They were chosen by you.
So raise a glass (maybe at one of our winning charity events), get out there and keep supporting the local arts and culture that make NKY truly special.
ATTRACTION
1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
2. Ark Encounter
3. Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center
CASINO
1. Turfway Park Racing & Gaming
2. Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
3. Belterra Park Cincinnati
CHARITY EVENT/FESTIVAL
1. Save Water, Drink Beer by Greenline Salon
2. Boone County KY Pride Festival
3. Gliers Goetta Fest
EVENT SPACE
1. Broken Arrow Farm, Wedding & Event Venue
2. Trifecta Club
3. Hotel Covington
FESTIVAL OR SPECIAL EVENT
1. Blink
2. Kentucky Wool Festival
3. Boone County KY Pride Festival
HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY
1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
2. Florence Y’all Christmas Lights
3. Boone County Fairgrounds
LOCAL BAND
1. Gary Bertsch and The Blamers
2. Orchid In The Ivy
3. NKG Band (The Karate Girls)
MOVIE THEATER
1. Cinemark Florence 14 And XD
2. Regal Wilder
3. AMC Newport On The Levee 20
MUSEUM
1. Behringer-Crawford Museum
2. Cincinnati Museum Center
3. Cincinnati Art Museum
MUSIC VENUE
1. The Southgate House Revival
2. Riverbend Music Center
3. Madison Theater
PUBLIC ART
2. Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center
3. City Of Erlanger, KY