HOUSTON – The actual Super Bowl game is Sunday, February 5th, but Super Bowl 51 begins Friday.
There are 9 days of events all across our city.
There are cool events for people who don't even like football! If you want to avoid the crowds descending on our Houston from all over the country, this weekend is the best time to check out these events and venues.
"It's gonna be huge!," Vicki Powers told consumer expert Amy Davis.
Powers is already a power blogger, finding all things cheap and fun to do in our city on her blog "Houston on the Cheap." Now she is also a Super Bowl 51 official volunteer.
On her blog, is a long list of Super Bowl events; but we asked her to share her favorite that are free or $20 or less.
Game City Showcase runs Monday through Thursday leading up to the Super Bowl.
"It's really celebrating the local businesses, non-profits and restaurants from 6 to 9 every night, explained Powers."
[VIDEO: Aerials of Super Bowl LIVE at Discovery Green]
Each night, restaurants in different areas will offer free samples so tourists and natives can check out areas they've never been.
Monday is in Midtown, Tuesday is the Theater District. EaDo's time to shine is Wednesday; and the Museum District is up Thursday.
Museums are free; and they'll stay open until 9 p.m.
Download Houstonia's Gastronaut for details of the Football Food Crawls and what participating restaurants are offering each night.
Super Bowl live is a 9 day free festival at Discovery Green beginning Saturday. There are 2 stages with live music and Nasa's Mission to Mars ride.
PHOTOS: Super Bowl preparations underway downtown
"It's like a 90-foot tall ride. They put in virtual reality goggles," Powers said. "They're going to have a spacecraft on location."
Anheuser-Busch is bringing its famous Clydesdales to the Houston Brewery on Gelhorn.
Stop by any day beginning Tuesday, Jan. 31 through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. to take pictures with the horses and see a hitch team parade Saturday, Feb. 4 from noon until 2 p.m.
The brand new Square at Memorial City Mall is hosting free events all weekend long beginning tonight with a football themed family movie night where you can watch "Rudy" on a giant outdoor screen. You can also watch the big game here Sunday for free.
Super Bowl Opening Night is $20 at Minute Maid Park. Fans can watch from the stands as thousands of media crews from all over the world interview the players and coaches on the field and then get autographs from NFL legends with a red carpet fan photo opportunity.