Whether or not it is recognized by the government or our employers, Opening Day is a holiday here in The Queen City. We are the home of baseball’s first professional team and are almost always the home team on Opening Day. (There have been a handful of exceptions since 1869.) As proclaimed by an Enquirer editorial in 1949, “It is well-known fact that Cincinnati unquestionably is the best Opening Day city in either league; that’s why the Reds’ first game perennially is scheduled on the home lot.”
Just like goetta, fish frys, and creamy whips, baseball is part of our culture. So in honor of Opening Day 2025 on March 27, here are details of goings-on downtown* for the occasion:
Opening Day Cookout
Eckerlin Meats, 8a–1p
Breakfast sammies, burgers, brats & metts, hot dogs.
9th Annual Opening Day Pierogi Breakfast
Market Wines (Findlay Market), 9:30a
Kick off your Opening Day Parade festivities with a carb-loaded breakfast to keep you going all day long. Serving pierogi with optional goetta gravy and fried eggs. No reservations or tickets necessary.
Opening Day at Rhinegeist
Rhinegeist Brewery, 9a
Opening Day fun, fast pitch competition, onsite food vendors, drink specials ($15 Cincy Light pitchers, $5 mixed drinks, based ball themed cocktails, jello shots), new Rhinegeist baseball apparel in the merch store, and more.
Opening Day in the Cover Street Party
Court Street and Park Street, 9a–5p
Live music, ice-cold brews, delicious eats, an outdoor Build-A-Bar, and plenty of Reds-themed shenanigans. The Bob & Tom Show will be broadcasting LIVE from 6–10a. Hosted by Smoke Justis.
Opening Day Celebration
Washington Park, 10a–4p
Inflatable baseball games, giant yard games, rows of baseball swag vendors, local food trucks, and live music, as well as plenty of spots to watch the Findlay Market Parade.
20th Annual Rally on the Square
Fountain Square, 10a–2p
Fountain Bar, parade viewing, food from local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and special appearances from team mascots and local celebrities.
Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party
The Banks (Joe Nuxhall Way, Freedom Way and Walnut Street), 11a
Live music, entertainment, and food and drinks available for purchase. Benefiting the P&G Cincinnati MLB Youth Academy.
Opening Day at Braxton
Braxton Covington, 11a
Game on the TVs, Rally Hard Seltzer on tap, Cracker Jack Smash cocktail, Cracker Jack, Dewey’s Ballpark Pizza, and more.
106th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade
Departs Findlay Market at 12p
Grand marshal: Chris Sabo (Reds third baseman, 1988–1993, 1996; 3X All-Star, 1988, 1990, 1991; NL Rookie of the Year, 1988
Route: 1.4 miles—south on Race to east on Fifth; ending at Taft Theatre
JonJon & Friends Opening Day Bash and Watch Party
Moerlein Lager House Schmidlapp Event Lawn, 12–8p
Molly Wellman cocktail bar, DJs, food, vendors, entertainment, special celebrity guest: former Cincinnati Major Leaguer Billy Hamilton, and JonJon recording his show live. VIP packages available.
Reds Opening Day on the Levee
Newport on the Levee, 2p
2–4p: live DJ, Reds sign-making craft station, and a photo op
4p: honorary first pitch
4:10p: watch the game on the big screen and enjoy drink and food specials at Bridgeview Box Park.
Additional Opening Day festivities in and around downtown include:
Dunlap Cafe, 9a
In Between Tavern, 10a
The Stretch, 10a–2a
Low Spark, 10a–2:30a
Pata Roja Taqueria, 11a–4p
Pilar, 12p–2a
The Setback OTR, 12p–2a
Igby’s, 12p–2a
Beeline, 12p–2a
Japps Since 1879, 3p
Metro fixed route, Access paratransit, and MetroNow! on-demand service will be FARE-FREE on Opening Day.
My advice? Download the Transit app to plan your trip downtown by Metro. You can also park somewhere north of Findlay Market and make your way down to The Banks by foot or by the fare free @connector_cincy after the parade. (Streetcar service will resume at the conclusion of the parade.)
Game Info
Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants
Great American Ball Park, 4:10p
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Radio: 700 WLW
Ceremonial First Pitch: TBA
Official Game Ball Delivery: TBA
Honorary Captain: TBA
Packing List
Making your way downtown for the parade and Opening Day festivities? Here are some items I recommend packing to bring with you for the day:
- SPF
- Snacks
- Refillable water bottle
- Layers (Opening Day fun can start out chilly but get warm—prepare accordingly)
- Backpack or bag large enough to carry it all (if you are going to GABP for the game, check their bag policy here)
*All of these Opening Day events are walkable or have close proximity to/from Great American Ball Park. Check with your neighborhood businesses for any festivities they have going on!
