MLB Opening Day is a highly anticipated event in baseball and many cities hosting the occasion take the opportunity to hold tailgates, parades, and parties for fans before and after the game. If fans cannot attend the game in person, many bars and restaurants in the team’s home city host watch parties for fans to enjoy. Several teams not hosting opening day also have huge celebrations before their own home opener instead. Some of the teams celebrating opening day this year include the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, and San Diego Padres.
The Cincinnati Reds will be hosting the Washington Nationals on opening day this year. Fans can enjoy the 2024 Findlay Market Opening Day Parade before heading into the Great American Ball Park for the game. The parade is a popular event in the city, with an estimated 130,000 attendees last year. Additionally, a block party with food, beverages, and entertainment for the whole family will kick off just prior to the parade at 11 a.m.
The Houston Astros are hosting the New York Yankees this year and will host the Opening Day Street Fest before the game. The event will feature live music, face painters, photo booths, food trucks, and more from noon to 3 p.m. While admission to the event is free, attendees must have a ticket to the game in order to participate.
The Kansas City Royals will host the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium, and fans can arrive early to receive a free bobblehead, which will be given out to the first 30,000 attendees. Before the game begins, fans can enjoy a pre-game concert by Lost Wax. The Miami Marlins will host the Pittsburgh Pirates at loanDepot Park on opening day, and Marlins fans can participate in a fan parade to the ballpark before the game. The first 30,000 fans to arrive at the park will receive a free rally towel.
San Diego Padres fans will enjoy pre-game and post-game celebrations at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar, part of the Margaritaville Hotel on opening day. Admission to the event is free, but attendees must reserve their spot. The festivities in San Diego continue throughout the weekend with the Party in the Park event on Friday and live entertainment and musical performances on Saturday. Opening day is just the start of a full weekend of fun in San Diego for Padres fans.
