2025 Reds Opening Day: What You Need to Know

It’s about that time, Cincinnati! The 2025 Reds Opening Day is almost here— one of the biggest traditions in the city. Before the first pitch, Downtown Cincy will come alive with festivities, so here’s your ultimate guide to everything Opening Day 2025.

What’s New at the Ballpark This Year?

Opening Day Weather

Expect a mix of sun and clouds with highs near 60°F by game time and temperatures in the mid-50s during the parade.

Findlay Market Opening Day Parade

More than 130,000 people took part in last year’s parade, and similar crowds are expected in 2025. The parade will start at Findlay Market, head down Race Street, turn left on Fifth Street past Fountain Square, and finish just past Government Square. The 1.4-mile parade kicks off at noon.

Three-time All-Star and former Reds great Chris Sabo will serve as the grand marshal for the 106th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade. He’ll be joined by two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, this year’s honorary grand marshal.

The 2025 parade will also feature an Olympic float with Cincinnati Olympians like Carson Foster, Annette Echikunwoke, and Mason Parris, as well as a Bengals alumni float with Ken Anderson and David Fulcher. Bengals legend Anthony Munoz will have his own float for his foundation, and Ted Karras will host a float for Cincy Hats.

Opening Day Game

The Reds will open the season against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park at 4:10PM. Cincinnati’s new manager, two-time World Series champion Terry Francona, is set to lead the team in his first season after coming out of retirement on a three-year contract. Reds star Elly De La Cruz has high hopes for the team in 2025.

Pre-Game Block Parties

• The Banks Opening Day Block Party starts at 11AM on Joe Nuxhall Way, Freedom Way, and Walnut St. with food, drinks, and live music. Proceeds benefit the Reds Community Fund.
• Washington Park will host a party with food trucks, live music, and even the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

Bars & Restaurants to Watch the Game (or Party)

The Banks will be the hub for Opening Day celebrations. Here are some top spots to catch the game and a drink at The Banks:

• The Park
• BetMGM Sportsbook and Nation Kitchen
• The Filson
• E+O Kitchen
• Fishbowl
• Holy Grail
• Condado Tacos
• The Stretch
• Moerlein Lager House
• Tin Roof
• Yard House
• Jefferson Social

If you want to avoid The Banks crowd but still celebrate Opening Day, here are other great party spots throughout downtown:

• Cobblestone OTR (1132 Race St.) – Opens at 10AM
• Highball Cincy (1834 Race St., along the parade route) – Opens at 9AM
• Rhinegeist Brewery (1910 Elm St.) – Opens at 9AM
• Cinema OTR (1517 Vine St.)
• Nostalgia Jazz & Wine Lounge (1432 Vine St.) – Opens at 11AM
• Rosedale (208 E 12th St.)
• Newport on the Levee (1 Levee Way, Newport, KY) – Reds Opening Day on the Levee begins at 2PM
• Fountain Square (520 Vine St.) – Festivities begin at 10AM
• Brewdog Cincy (316 Reading Rd.) – Opens at 11AM
• Alcove by Madtree (1410 Vine St.) – Opens at 10AM
• Pata Roja (52 E Court St.) – Opens at 10AM

Street Closures

Findlay Market Area Closures (Starting at 8AM):

• Race St. (Liberty St. to McMicken St.)
• Elm St. (Liberty St. to McMicken St.)
• Findlay St. (Central Parkway to Vine St.)
• Elder St. (Central Parkway to Vine St.)
• Green St. (Vine St. to Logan St.)
• Henry St. (Race St. to Dunlap St.)
• Dunlap St. (Findlay St. to McMicken St.)
• Logan St. (Liberty St. to Findlay St.)

Parade Route Closures (Starting at 11:15AM):

• Liberty St. (Vine St. to Central Parkway)
• Central Parkway (Vine St. to Elm St.)
• Race St. (Liberty St. to Fourth St.)
• Fifth St. (Central Ave. to Sentinel St.)
• Various cross streets along the route

Reds Community Fund Block Party Closures (Starting at 6AM):

• Freedom Way (Rosa Parks St. to Joe Nuxhall Way)
• Marian Spencer Way (Second St. to Ted Berry Way)
• Joe Nuxhall Way (South of Second St.)

Metro & Streetcar Connector

Metro is offering fare-free rides on Opening Day to make travel easier. The streetcar connector will not be available until the parade has ended. Download the free app for up-to-date transit times and stops.

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2025 Reds Opening Day: What You Need to Know  was originally published on wiznation.com