Cincinnati’s annual Chili Week is back next week, giving locals a fresh excuse to chase $5 to $7 three-ways, coneys and other chili specials across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The weeklong celebration layers in themed nights, pop-up events and an app-driven check-in game that rewards the most devoted chili fans with gift cards and other prizes. If you have been meaning to tour the city one chili parlor at a time, this is the week to commit.
What to expect and how to join
The official Cincinnati Chili Week site lists this year’s festival dates as February 23 through March 1 and promotes $5 to $7 chili specials at participating locations. Organizers are steering diners to the Cincinnati Chili Week app to scout participating spots and log visits, since the app tracks points and entries for giveaways. For full event listings and the app QR code, see Cincinnati Chili Week.
Event nights to mark on your calendar
Not every day is the same; partners have lined up themed nights across the week. Fifty West is hosting a Cheese Coney Mile on Feb. 28 that pairs three coneys with laps around the brewery, so you can earn at least a little cardio with your chili. See the event listing on Fifty West for tickets and details. The Cincinnati Cyclones will stage a "Cincinnati 3-Ways Night" at Heritage Bank Center on Feb. 28, giving fans the chance to catch a game and a chili-themed promotion under one roof.
How the app and prizes work
Download the app, check in at restaurants and watch your points stack up. Everything Cincy explains that check-ins earn points and that visiting four or more participating spots gets you into the grand-prize drawing. Everything Cincy reports the grand prize includes $300 in restaurant gift cards and a year of Gold Star Chili, while top chili-eaters can claim the title of "Biggest Chili Lover" and additional gift cards. Sponsor contests are also in play, and Gold Star Chili has run "free chili for a year" promotions tied to Chili Week in the past.
Giveback and local ties
Chili Week also leans into philanthropy. According to Cincinnati Magazine, Camp Washington Chili will host a Weenie Wednesday on Feb. 25 and has pledged to donate a hot dog to Cincinnati Animal Care for every $1 contributed during the event. That local giveback is one example of how the festival pairs food deals with neighborhood causes, and diners can expect more charity tie-ins across the week as restaurants and sponsors promote both bargains and donations.
