SAN DIEGO — Baseball returns to the East Village on Thursday, March 27, when the San Diego Padres host the Atlanta Braves. To celebrate the start of the season, fans can attend various events during Opening Weekend. Some restaurants close to Petco Park are also offering discounts on food and drinks.
Here’s a list of fan events and restaurant deals to celebrate the 2025 Padres Opening Series.
To celebrate the return of the Padres, the East Village Association will hold the 13th annual East Village Block Party on Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The block party will take place on J Street from 7th to 10th Avenue in front of Petco Park, and will include live music, food and a variety of family-friendly activities.
A variety of San Diego vendors including CAKED, Sovereign Modern Thai, Ashland Hard Seltzer, Parks and Normal, West Coast Kimono and many more will be at the free event.
On Friday, March 28, the San Diego Padres will host the first Party in the Park of the season. Starting from the time gates open until the first pitch (approximately 4:30-6:30 p.m.), there will be a pregame happy hour in Gallagher Square. Fans can enjoy drink specials starting at $5, live music and other activities. The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive an Opening Series hat. The team will be wearing their City Connect uniforms.
Fans must buy Friar Funds for discounted drinks. Friar Funds will be available for purchase in Gallagher Square during each Party in the Park, and can also be used at food and beverage locations throughout Petco Park.
Party in the Park will be held before every Friday home game. To see a complete list of Party in the Park events, click here.
On Sunday, March 30, the San Diego Padres will hold their first KidsFest. Children can enjoy the redesigned Nuna playground, bounce houses, games, face painters, balloon artists and more. The event begins when the gates open.
Some activities will end before the first pitch, but inflatables and the Play Ball Field will remain open through the 7th inning. The Nuna playground will be open all game.
During Sunday’s game, the first 10,000 kids in attendance will receive a pair of City Connect sunglasses. Two other giveaways will take place throughout the season. Click here for more information about KidsFest, and to view a full list of giveaways.
After the game, Kids Run the Bases will take place. Kids ages 14 and younger can go on the field and run the bases, just like the Padres players. Families can begin lining up following the eighth inning in Gallagher Square.
Click here for the season schedule for Kids Run the Bases.
The Smoking Gun: On Opening Day, The Smoking Gun will offer food and drink specials all day long, including $1 hotdogs. The restaurant will also offer fans the chance to win some Padres tickets, memorabilia and jerseys. Throughout the season, The Smoking Gun will offer drink specials like $3.94 beers and City Connect cocktails. Starting April 2, children eat free with a purchase of an entree, until 10 p.m.
Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter: The 5 o’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar and LandShark Bar & Grill will offer a special game day menu. If you show your Padres ticket stub before or after the game, the bar will give you your first margarita for free.
Coin-Op Gaslamp: Coin-Op Gaslamp will hold food and drink specials on Opening Day. The deals include $7 classic cocktails, $2 cheese pizza slices, half off all appetizers and $10 pizza pies.
Rockin’ Baja Lobster Gaslamp & Baja Rick’s Cantina: Rockin’ Baja Lobster Gaslamp and Baja Rick’s Cantina are offering a dozen deals at each location for $10 or less. The deals will include Blowfish Blanco Tequila and certain food items. The deals will start two hours before every home game.
