Football fans have been waiting all year for the Super Bowl extravaganza to land itself atop the Bay Area, while everyone else has been dreading the influx of traffic and tourists. It's important to remember, however, that along with the street closures and jam-packed sports bars, the Super Bowl brings with it some really incredible pre-game events. We've scoured the dozens of Super Bowl 50-related events and selected the five worthy of a local's time and energy:
Bay Lights re-lighting, fireworks show and Chris Isaak concert, Saturday, January 30, dusk
San Francisco's own Chris Isaak will officially kick off our Super Bowl 50 festivities with a free concert on the City Stage sponsored by Levi's. Held in Sue Bierman Park, which will have been transformed into the heart of Super Bowl City, Isaak will perform his dreamy favorites. But first, cheer on the Bay Lights as the Bay Bridge is officially re-lit with San Francisco's favorite art installation, and gaze upward as a fireworks show officially welcomes the Super Bowl to the Bay Area. Free
Concert of Champions, Wednesday, February 3, 8pm
Join host and NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen for a football-themed symphonic experience like no other. The San Francisco Symphony performance will feature the music and filmmaking of Emmy Award-winning NFL Films from the unexpected comfort of Davis Symphony Hall. The evening's mini-documentaries will cover the history of the NFL, your favorite historical Super Bowl moments and the best of NFL Films’ famous football follies. That's right—the world-renowned San Francisco Symphony will provide the live soundtrack to football bloopers. $50+
Oakland's Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, Friday, February 5, 7:30pm
The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has graced each Super Bowl City since 2002, and this year the beloved concert comes to Oakland's historic and stunning Paramount Theater. Grammy winners, local gospel greats and the NFL players choir (yep, made up of former pro-players) all come together on stage to perform the only gospel event officially sanctioned by the NFL. $25
Taste of the NFL, Saturday February 6, 6pm
Other than beer, football's greatest paring is snack food. Taste of the NFL brings together famous chefs from around the country who will serve up 45,000 spectacular food tastings to 2,500 guests inside Daly City's own Cow Palace. Celebrities like Mario Batali, Jeff Bridges and Bobby Flay are all on board for this massive culinary event. And ticket-holders can eat guilt-free; the proceeds from Taste of the NFL benefit local and national food banks. $700 (We know.)
Alicia Keys Free Concert, Saturday, February 6, 7pm
She has more Grammys than humans have toes. 15-time Grammy superstar Alicia Keys will perform her hits on Levi's City Stage in Super Bowl City for free. Make your way to the Embarcadero long before Keys 7pm start-time. This event is sure to draw a massive crowd—of both Alicia Keys fans and free stuff fans. It'll be worth it to sing along with a singer-songwriter who's truly a musical game-changer. Free