The big game may technically be taking place across the Hudson, but that is close enough for the whole of New York City to catch football fever, with Super Bowl-related events taking place all across town. We rounded up some of the best.
Sing for your super
The annual “Super Bowl Gospel Celebration” will raise the roof of the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 31. Headlining this year’s union of faith and football will be R&B legend Patti Labelle. She will be joined by the likes of Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Natalie Grant, and, of course, the NFL Players Choir.
The Theater at Madison Square Garden (4 Pennsylvania Plaza between W. 31st and 33rd streets in Manhattan, www.superbowlgospel.com). Jan. 31 at 7:30 pm. $45–$150.
Pixelated pigskin
Be a football star without working up a sweat, when Astoria’s Museum of the Moving Image celebrates 25 years of the “Madden NFL” video game franchise. Five iterations of the game will be available to play — from the original 1988 “John Madden Football” for Apple II, to 2013’s “Madden NFL 25” for the Xbox One.
Museum of the Moving Image [36-01 35th Ave. at 36th Street in Queens, (718) 777–6888, www.movingimage.us]. Through Feb. 23. Free with admission.
Kids get kicks
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is getting in the Super Bowl spirit with an interactive exhibit. Kids can learn all about the challenging decisions football referees have to make in an instant replay booth, train like a pro in an obstacle course, create penalty flags and puppets, and check out NFL memorabilia.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan [212 West 83rd St. between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, (212) 721–1223, www.cmom.org]. Through Feb. 28. Free with museum entry.
Cardboard heroes
Now that’s what we call art! The Metropolitan Museum of Art will be displaying “Gridiron Greats” — a collection of 150 vintage football cards, including the super-rare John Dunlop Harvard card, plus others from the same series produced by the Mayo Tobacco company in 1894, and a 1959 set from Bazooka.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art [1000 Fifth Ave. between E. 79th and E. 84th streets in Manhattan, (212) 535–7710, www.metmuseum.org]. Free with museum entry.
Sign of the times
For four days before the big game, the stars will come out before the sun goes down. At a stage set up at Broadway and W. 39th street, NFL stars will sign autographs from noon to 5 pm, followed by concerts from local acts at 8 pm, The signing schedule will be released Jan, 27.
Autograph and Concert Stage [Broadway, between W. 39th and W. 40th streets in Manhattan, www.nfl.com/superbowl). Jan. 20–Feb. 1. Free.
Tony tailgaiting
This isn’t your mother’s football fare. An NFL-endorsed, Super Bowl-themed pop-up restaurant called Forty Ate (get it?) will be appearing at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel from Jan. 27. The kicked-up bar food dishes include “pig skins in a blanket,” smoked chicken wings with blue cheese sauce, and a pretzel bread panini. Expect to see NFL players at the tables, and NFL artifacts — including the full set of 47 Super Bowl rings — as decor.
Forty Ate, R Lounge at the Renaissance Times Square [714 Seventh Ave. at 48th Street in Manhattan, (212) 450–2014 www.nfl.com/superbowl]. Jan. 27–Feb. 1.
Pepper spray
Legendary funksters the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be playing the Super Bowl halftime show, but you can catch the band live in concert a day earlier at the Barclays Center.
Chant “We want Chilly Willy” while also watching performances by New Politics, MS MR, J. Roddy Walston and the Business, and Basic Vacation.
Barclays Center [620 Atlantic Ave. at Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Heights, (800) 745–3000, www.barclayscenter.com]. Jan. 1 at 7 pm. $79.50–$350.
