Before you tailgate, don’t miss your chance to pre-game the biggest pre-game of the year with some of these parties and events planned for Friday night in Cambridge.

The afternoon kicks off with the People’s Pep Rally for the Game from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Winthrop Park. The Irish Police Officers Pipe Band will be putting in an appearance, and anybody dressed as a cheerleader will be eligible to win a round-trip JetBlue plane ticket.

The Harvard Lowkeys host Redhot and Blue and Out of the Blue for an a cappella concert in Harvard’s Sever Hall at 7:00 p.m..

Yale Club Basketball faces off against Harvard at 8:30 p.m. in Lavietes Pavilion.

The Purple Crayon promises to “fight the forces of boredom and social awkwardness” along with Harvard’s own improv troupe, the Instant Gratification Players at 8:30 p.m. in Boylston Hall.

And for more comedy, the Viola Question challenge Harvard’s On Thin Ice in an improv showdown in Hall D of the Science Center on Oxford Street at 9:00 p.m.

Have fun, stay safe and — most importantly — show Cambridge who’s boss.