If you’re a baseball fan, America’s Pastime is a well-paced game that features action every 20 to 30 seconds. If you’re not, it’s the longest three hours of your week.
Happily, there’s a way to make everybody happy. With 81 home games and a stadium that holds more than 40,000 people, the Washington Nationals do a fine job enticing people who could care less about the game to come out to the park. For proof, see our picks for the 5 best Nationals theme nights for the 2022 season, which officially kicks off April 7th against the Mets up in Queens. This has very, very little to do with balls and strikes.
April 10
Blossoms & Baseball: National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration
1:35 vs. New York Mets
Peak bloom will be long over before the Nats celebrate D.C.’s spring tradition. Oh, well — it’s still nice to appreciate Japan’s gift to Washington. The new, cherry blossom-themed jerseys — part of the City Connect series — will make their on-field debut one day earlier.
June 11
4:05 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Do you prefer Marvel action movie scenes mixed with Nationals baseball highlights on the jumbotron between innings? Do you really need a Josh Bell Incredible Hulk-inspired bobblehead? Do we have the game for you!
July 1
6:05 vs. Miami Marlins
The Nats’ Independence Day weekend games have historically sold well. But the July 4 game is usually a day game. This year, the July 2, 3, and 4 games are all day games. So kick off your July 4 celebrations as early as socially possible with some July 1 fireworks, after the Nats take on the not-very-popular Marlins.
July 16
4:05 vs. Atlanta Braves
One of the longest-running theme games based around comics, film, and TV, the Star Wars night is a fan favorite, second in all-time popularity to the Game of Thrones night (We know the series is long over but that doesn’t mean DC sports fans wouldn’t still love a GoT/Nats shirt and a search for dragon eggs throughout the city.). You’re going to hear the “Star Wars Theme” and “The Imperial March” a few dozen times, the lightsaber sound effect will be played after base hits, and the first 10,000 fans will go home with a Juan “Solo” STAR WARS Bobblehead. This is a great bobblehead, one of the season’s best, though it’s disappointing it’s not another Sean Doolittle bobblehead. He partied with a lightsaber after winning the 2019 World Series! It’s a no brainer!
Bonus: This is a game against the Atlanta Braves! 2021 World Series Champions Atlanta Braves! Theme games aren’t typically against really good teams or rivals. See who the Nats take on the theme night we’re recommending above and below this pick.
August 26
7:05 p.m. vs. Cincinnati Reds
Do you prefer DC action movie scenes mixed with Nationals baseball highlights on the jumbotron between innings? Do you really need a Wonder Woman bobblehead? Do we have the game for you!
Honorable Mention
August 16
7:05 p.m. vs. Chicago Cubs
I’m not a huge U.S. Space Force fan. No one is. I’m willing to bet most people attending this game have completely forgotten the U.S. Space Force exists. Therefore, it makes the list. Attend this night and you’ll be able to tell your friends, “I attended the U.S. Space Force Day at Nats Park!” and they will respond with, “Huh?”
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