Super Bowl 2017: Details about 'NFL Experience', parties, events, tickets, 'Super Bowl LIVE', full schedule

Super Bowl 2017, the 51st edition of the annual sporting extravaganza, will be held at the NRG Stadium next month. However, fans traveling to Houston can look forward to a whole week of festivities and events ahead of the big game on Feb. 5.

Those fans unwilling to shell out $US4,200 ($AU5,600) for Super Bowl LI have the option of attending a host of parties, events and festivals that will be held in the Houston area starting the final weekend of January.

NFL Experience: Warming up for the big game

Besides privately-organised events, the league will host the official 'NFL Experience' at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston which will be staged during the weekend of Jan. 28-29 and run through the first week of February.

The 'NFL Experience' aims to provide the ultimate fan experience to football afficandos through interactive games, player autograph sessions, merchandise exhibits, football clinics and other fan-based events. According to the league's official website, the event is priced at US$35 (AU$46) for adults and $US25 ($AU33) for children of ages 12 and below. The tickets can now be purchased from several online vendors.

Super Bowl LIVE: Virtual reality trip to Mars!

Fans can attend this unique, nine-day festival which features a NASA-engineered virtual-reality exhibit, musical concerts, interactive exhibits and a ton of other interesting events. Super Bowl LIVE, set to be held at the Discovery Green Park, will feature concerts from musicians with strong Texas ties such as ZZ Top, Leon Bridges, The Suffers and a host of other renowned performers.

To quote the Houston Super Bowl official website, "Super Bowl LIVE is a free nine-day fan festival in downtown Houston celebrating Super Bowl LI. Anchored in Discovery Green and encompassing more than 250,000 square feet, Super Bowl LIVE features live music and performances, interactive exhibits, great food and a 90-foot tall virtual reality trip to Mars. With so much to do and so many great performances, there is something for everyone who visits."

The Big Texas Party, Playboy Super Bowl Party and more...

Also, fans looking to party can attend 'The Big Texas Party' at Silver Street Studios on Thursday, the second of February. According to the local website, the party, hosted by Mike Barber, is a celebration of Houston. "We’ll feature the food, drink, and hospitality that Houston — and all of Texas — is known for. Enjoy Houston’s best barbecue and Texas beer, spirits, and wine. Plus, entertainment and special appearances by some of your favourite football players with Texas roots."

On the eve of Super Bowl 51, the Spire Nightclub will stage the special 'Playboy Super Bowl Party'. Tickets, which can be purchased on StubHub and other official retailers, are priced at $US499 ($AU665).

Sports Illustrated has listed the entire schedule of events, concerts and parties happening in Houston, Texas, ahead of Super Bowl 2017.

Stay tuned for the latest on Super Bowl LI.