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 in the Cov Street Party
Court Street and Park Street, 6a–10p
Live music, ice-cold brews, street meat, and an outdoor trailer bar. The Bob & Tom Show will be broadcasting LIVE from 6–10a and ESPN 1530 radio broadcast with Mo Egger, Tony Pike, and Austin Elmore from noon to 3. Hosted by Smoke Justis.
Opening Day Cookout
Eckerlin Meats, 8a–1p
Breakfast sammies, burgers, brats & metts, hot dogs.
Opening Day at Rhinegeist
Rhinegeist Brewery, 8:30a
Rooftop season kickoff, breakfast and food served all day, family friendly games, drink specials all day, 2026 Rhinegeist baseball merch, and 4:10 game on the big screen.
Free admission
10th Annual Opening Day Pierogi Breakfast
Market Wines (Findlay Market), 9a
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.
21st Annual Rally on the Square
Fountain Square, 10a–2p
Fountain Bar, parade viewing (starts at noon and will go by the Square around 12:30), food from local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and special appearances from team mascots and local celebrities.
Opening Day Celebration
Washington Park, 10a–4p
Inflatable baseball games, giant yard games, rows of baseball swag vendors, local food trucks, Oscar Mayer Weinermobile visit, and live music, as well as plenty of spots to watch the Findlay Market Parade.
Opening Day Celebration
Court Street Plaza, 10a–6p
Parade viewing, live music, food and drinks available from Court Street vendors, family friendly fun, baseball-themed bites, and more.
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
DJ, Reds-themed cocktails, ballpark snack mix, baseball cards, and watch party featuring their new Ballpark Beer. The first 100 guests receive a limited edition Braxton x Reds custom-dated Opening Day pin.
Free admission
107th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade
Departs Findlay Market at 12p
Grand marshal: Jeff “The Cowboy” Brantley
Route: 1.4 miles—south on Race to east on Fifth; ending at Taft Theatre
JonJon & Friends Opening Day Bash and Watch Party
Cincinnati Lager House and Schmidlapp Event Lawn, 12–8p
Live radio show with JonJon, DJs, watch party, Molly Wellman cocktail bar, vendors, and more.
Free admission
Reds Opening Day on the Levee
Newport on the Levee, 2p
2–4p: live DJ in Bridgeview Box Park, plus food and drink specials all afternoon
4p: special guest throws out the first pitch
4:10p: watch the game on the big screens in The Gallery & The Plaza
Additional Opening Day festivities in and around downtown:
Tin Roof, 9a
The Lackman, 10a
Northern Row, 10a
Igby’s, 12p
Prim, 12p
The Righteous Room, 12p
Nice Life, 1p
The Pitch, 4–9p
Metro fixed route and Access paratransit services 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. Boston Red Sox
Great American Ball Park, 4:10p
TV: Fox 19
Radio: 700 WLW
Ceremonial First Pitch: Reds Hall of Famer Bronson Arroyo
Official Game Ball Delivery: Olympic Gold Medalist Connor Curran
Honorary Captain: Dave Concepción, Reds Hall of Famer and member of the Big Red Machine
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!
