East-side teens looking for something to do on Saturday nights have a free, city-funded option running every week this summer at four recreation centers across Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission's Rec @ Nite program offers sports, swimming, silent disco nights, DJ sets, art, snacks, and a free dinner for youth ages 12 to 17. It runs every Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. through August, according to the CRC's official program page. Families should check cincinnati-oh.gov/summerincincy for the final schedule date.

The four Rec @ Nite sites for summer 2026 are Hirsch Recreation Center, Lincoln Recreation Center, Evanston Recreation Center, and Winton Hills Recreation Center. Evanston and Winton Hills are new additions this year, according to Signal Cincinnati. Hirsch and Lincoln were the original two sites.

None of the four locations are in Hyde Park or Oakley, but Joe Berta, the CRC's service area coordinator for the east side and a regular guest at Hyde Park Neighborhood Council meetings, can connect local families with program details. Berta can be reached at [email protected].

The city is investing roughly $650,000 in Rec @ Nite as part of a broader $3.65 million Summer in the City initiative that also includes 24 open swimming pools, summer day camps, and a Youth 2 Work program employing 250 young people, Signal Cincinnati reported on July 1.

More than 2,300 teens participated through just two sites in 2024. With four locations now operating, CRC Director Daniel Betts told the City Council's Housing and Growth committee on June 24 that the expansion could significantly increase participation.

"When people say there's nothing for youth to do in this city, that's just not true," Cincinnati City Council Member Scotty Johnson said at the same June 24 committee presentation.

Betts described the program's core goal as reducing youth violence through safe, engaging evening activities.

Berta, who received the Hyde Park Community Builder award from the neighborhood council, has been a bridge between the CRC and east-side families for years. At the HPNC's October 2025 meeting, he reported the Eastside Rec Center was serving 190 kids from Hyde Park School in its after-school program alone.

A July 20 video posted by the City of Cincinnati on X features teen participants describing what they love about the program.

Parents can find more information about Rec @ Nite and other CRC summer programming at cincinnati-oh.gov/summerincincy.