What's going on in Houston for the Final Four

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Sunday, April 3, 2016
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The National Championship will be decided in Houston Monday, but there's plenty going on before then! North Carolina and Villanova will battle it out for the title.

THE GAME

It's North Carolina and Villanova in the title game!

Be prepared for three zones of major traffic -- the Galleria/Uptown area, where many visitors will be staying at area hotels, downtown around the GRB and Discovery Green -- the site of Fanfest and the free March Madness Music Festival , and around NRG Park where the games are being played. This weekend, the Hardy Toll Road will be shut down in both directions between I-45 and FM-1960. The closure lasts from Friday at 10PM until Monday at 5AM. Your best detour is I-45 the North Freeway.

Areas of downtown, especially near Discovery Green and the George R. Brown Convention Center will be closed for the Final Four Fan Fest and March Madness Music Festival beginning Friday through Monday evening. This includes:

On Saturday, the Final Four 4 Miler will close streets near downtown and along Buffalo Bayou from around 8:30am to 11:00am. This includes:

The Final Four Dribble fueled by POWERADE event will close McKinney Street from Bagby to the George R. Brown Convention Center from 12:00pm (noon) to 1:00pm on Sunday.

You may want to consider ditching the car and instead using METRO. METRO is offering Final Four passes for 12 bucks. It allows you ride the rail or local buses all weekend.

FINAL FOUR FAN FEST PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE

From interactive basketball activities to youth clinics, and from autograph sessions to great prizes, the Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One takes over the George R. Brown Convention Center during Final Four.

Adults are $8 with advance tickets or $10 at the door. Students, seniors and military are $4 advance or $5 at the door. You must have valid ID. Children under 12 who are accompanied by a paying adults are free. (Buy tickets)

DISCOVERY GREEN ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

Sunday, April 3 - Capital One JamFest (3 - 10 PM)

Complete music festival FAQs

A "Clear Bag" policy will be in effect for all official events. Residents are reminded not to bring large purses, backpacks or other non-transparent bags to event sites. Only fully clear bags, and very small purses will be permitted.