The hotels are filled, parties are underway and football fever is spreading as quickly as celebrity breakups. Super Bowl XXXVIII has made its presence known in the Bayou City and while some in Houston are getting first-date jitters, the excitement about the big game is spreading from the sprawling suburbs to the heart of downtown Houston.

Bourbon Street in Houston

The newest outdoor party on the block, "The Main Event," sponsored by the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee, promises to jam-pack live music, laser light shows and street performers into a hopping four-day package. Headlining the festival, which began Jan. 29 and runs through Feb. 1, are musical acts Los Lobos, the Neville Brothers and K.C. and the Sunshine Band. City officials are likening the event to Bourbon Street in New Orleans and although partiers won't be able to walk the 16-blocks of downtown Houston with alcohol in their hands, plenty of bars and clubs will be open for a little festive imbibing.

If you are looking for a more family-friendly place to party, The Main Event has a special alcohol-free area in a parking lot on Main and Prairie.

The 36 different bands — ranging from salsa and country to rock and pop — will perform from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. Jan. 30, with extended hours of 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Jan. 31. Feb. 1 the party kicks off at noon. The event is free.

Open "The Main Event" Photo Gallery

 

Social strolling and sidewalk cafés make for enjoyable evenings

Main Street is the center of social activity every Friday and Saturday from happy hour to the wee hours, thanks to a recently launched collaborative effort among restaurants and bars along downtown Houston’s historic Main Street. The Downtown Entertainment District Alliance organized the effort that has resulted in a lively and fun atmosphere for evening socializing in the heart of the city.

Survey the scene from a sidewalk café
With car traffic kept away from the 300-500 blocks of Main Street, 60 restaurants and bars spread tables and chairs out to the sidewalk’s edge, allowing for great people-watching while you dine and drink. Pedestrians in a party mood can stroll along Main Street amid street performers, even catch a pedicab — a pedal-powered rickshaw taxi — back to their hotel or other downtown destination.  “It’s the place where people can come to eat outside, dance or enjoy music, even people watch,” says Gerard J. “Jordy” Tollet, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. “You can spend money or just spend time.