CINCINNATI — Coney Island has announced its closure after more than 130 years as a play and entertainment destination in Cincinnati.
The well-known stop for family fun will soon be the site of a $118 million music and entertainment venue. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Music & Event Management, Inc. announced that they acquired all assets of Coney Island and plans to create a “first-of-its-kind” venue.
Park operations will cease on Dec. 31, 2023.
“This new development will usher in the future of the music industry, and we are proud to be leading the next step in the same way Riverbend changed the face of live music in our community 40 years ago when it opened,” said Jonathan Martin, CSO President and CEO. “Now, with CSO’s historic success with Riverbend and PNC Pavilion, we are creating an expanded music, arts and entertainment campus for the region to drive artistic excellence and innovation as well as the local economy.”
Season passes purchased for the 2024 season at Sunlite Pool will be fully refunded, according to the park. Those with unused gift cards can use them toward admission to Coney Island’s Nights of Lights through the end of the year.
Coney Island wrote a thank you letter to its patrons, saying, “Thank you, loyal patrons, for your support over the years. We will miss your smiles and enthusiasm. We have been proud to provide a place where so many wonderful memories were created for families. We thank the millions of patrons and employees from Cincinnati and surrounding neighborhoods. You made this a special place for all of us.”
Coney Island once was the site of a 400-acre apple orchard on the banks of the Ohio River before it was transformed into a destination for families.