Music Hall Tours

Friends of Music Hall offers Music Hall tours, speakers, and classroom presentations of this world-class historical landmark.

To get information on a specific type of tour, click on the name:

Tour Inside Music Hall

Outdoor Building Tour

Speakers Series

School Programs

Tour inside Cincinnati Music Hall

Explore both public and private spaces in this stunning and majestic structure. See for yourself how it reflects the spirit of both past and present. Discover why it was the envy of the Great Midwest in the 19th century and the cornerstone of the 21st century renaissance of Cincinnati's historic heart. If you have a particular interest in history, music, theater, architecture or Cincinnati culture, this will be a fascinating and memorable experience. For full details, check out the Tours Frequently Asked Questions page.

Outdoor Building Tours

To schedule a private Outdoor Building Tour for individuals or groups, email musichalltour@friendsofmusichall.org.

Themed Outdoor Building Tours will be offered in 2025.

Explore the history, symbolism and design of the architecture, and the people who made it happen, along with information about Over-the-Rhine in 1878. For full details, check out the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Friends of Music Hall Speaker Series

• • • Under One Roof: The African American Experience in Music Hall Since 1878, African Americans have been central to Cincinnati Music Hall's history. The South Hall ballroom hosted jazz, R&B, and rock 'n' roll legends, including Duke Ellington. The North Hall sports arena launched the careers of athletes such as boxer Ezzard Charles. On Springer Auditorium's stage, numerous stars, like Sissieretta Jones, helped break racial barriers. Discover the stories of determination and artistry that shape our city's identity within Music Hall's three buildings, Under One Roof.
    • Muses: The Women of Music Hall: Throughout the 140-year+ history of our "Grand Lady,” Cincinnati Music Hall, the contributions and legacy of incredible women: philanthropists, suffragettes, artists, divas, prima ballerinas, and musicians, have stirred the souls of all within her walls, but have largely been uncelebrated. From Susan B. Anthony to Helen "Nellie” Taft; Isadora Duncan to Janis Joplin; Maria Callas to Mamie Smith, learn how trailblazing women placed the crown upon the Queen City with fortitude and brilliance.
    • Music Hall: Then and Now features historic and present-day images along with stories on Music Hall’s unique role in Cincinnati's history.
    • Pulling Out All the Stops: Music Hall’s Mighty Organs visits 19th century Cincinnati, a center of pipe organ building and Music Hall’s six organs from the Hook & Hastings organ to the famed Mighty Wurlitzer.
    • Zeitgeist: The German Spirit in Music Hall: Cincinnati Music Hall, in the heart of Over-the-Rhine, resonates with the vibrancy of our city's German heritage. Steeped in German musical traditions, like choral festivals (Saengerfests) and popular orchestral concerts, as well as athletic endeavors like Turnverein gymnasts, boxers, and women cyclists, Music Hall has been the epicenter of Cincinnati’s German culture for nearly 150 years. Cincinnati's Zeitgeist—spirit of the times—was nurtured within her walls and helped define the character of our city.

Friends of Music Hall Education Program

Bring Music Hall to your classroom with these creative presentations with fun interactive hands-on activities about a National Historic Landmark. A Look Inside Cincinnati’s Iconic Music Hall: A Student Field Trip Treat your students to an interactive learning experience inside Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall. They will learn about music, Cincinnati history, immigration, architecture and the women art carver’s movement all wrapped up in the magnificent package of Music Hall. Students will visit several unique spaces in Music Hall where they will participate in hands-on activities with trained tour guides.  Curriculum: M, SS, VA, SEL Beyond the Performance: Virtual Program The Videos and Lesson Plans included in this teaching package presented by the Friends of Music Hall celebrate Cincinnati Music Hall and those who had the vision, talent and skills to design and construct this beautiful, National Historic Landmark building. Three videos spotlight talented musicians who perform for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the focus of the fourth video is the Mighty Wurlitzer organ.  Curriculum: M, SS, VA, SEL