What kind of online entertainment can you find in 2021?

The year 2020 was one like no other. It changed the way people work, communicate, socialise and enjoy entertainment. While the new year may have inspired some cautious optimism, social distancing is still very much part of everyone’s lives and economies around the world continue to be affected. One of the hardest-hit areas of industry has been entertainment, with venues, cinemas, concert halls and museums closing their doors and cutting jobs. But because – or in spite of – the pandemic, the entertainment industry has become creative in finding solutions to allow people to enjoy events and content online, as well as offering a lifeline to many businesses. Here’s some of the online entertainment to find this year.

Stream performances

It’s been a torrid 12 months or so for the performing arts and sadly there’s been closures of theatres, either temporary or permanent. But for fans of the stage, there are plenty of options to enjoy at home. Iconic venues are offering streams of recent and acclaimed performances. The New York Met offers daily operas featuring Wagner, Berlioz, Verdi and Puccini, while the Royal Opera House is streaming ballet, as well as behind the scenes videos. If musicals are preferred, the 2019 West End run of Les Miserables in fantastic HD quality has been made available. As well as concerts and performances, many theatres offer virtual tours. 

Museums and galleries

There are countless museum and gallery collections available to tour online, while the experience of seeing a priceless relic or work of art for real can never be beaten, virtual tours are chock full of interesting information and interactive content. Among the collections online are those of the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, Florence’s Uffizi gallery and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. Many galleries also offer augmented reality viewings of famous artworks, allowing viewers to get up close and personal with the old masters.  

Gaming

Online gaming is nothing new, but its popularity has soared since the beginning of the pandemic. Fortnite, World of Warcraft, Animal Crossing and Minecraft are among the most popular online games, offering a social aspect which provides some much-needed interaction with other people in these socially distanced times. Websites such as CasinoTopsOnline are also popular, offering iconic games with bonuses and promotions for new players eager to try their luck.

Classes with experts

There is no shortage of online classes available, covering a range of topics, with expert tutors. Masterclass offers plenty of these, such as cooking taught by Gordon Ramsey – without the bad language – filmmaking by Martin Scorsese and novel writing by Dan Brown. Other high profile figures include director David Lynch, writer Neil Gaiman and novelist Carol Anne Oates. Of course, these don’t come free of charge, but usually, there is a free class to give a taste before buying.

Work on your career

Why not spend lockdown advancing career prospects? Conferences and summits have gone online since the start of the pandemic and offer plenty of opportunities to attend keynote speeches and find ways to cut costs and streamline businesses. The digital format makes networking easier, with powerful communication tools available to reach more people than at a physical event. 

Film festivals

Streaming movies was popular before the pandemic, but last year transformed it from convenience to necessity. Film festivals translate surprisingly well into an online format, offering a range of shorts and features to suit all tastes, as well as Q+As with actors and directors, talks, behind the scenes content and other interactive content. And there are plenty to choose from! 

The final frontier

Stargazers are absolutely spoiled for content, as NASA has opened up an incredible online treasure trove. Start with a virtual tour of their facilities before checking out their amazing app which allows one to explore space in real-time. It’s possible to examine all the planets in the solar system as well as some of the exoplanets NASA has explored. It’s fascinating stuff and a great way to get the kids consuming some educational content. 

Get creative with Zoom

Video conferencing software now seems a vital part of everyday existence, helping integrate work and socialising into a socially distanced world. Zoom offers friends a chance to chat all at once, but why not try using it for “pub” quizzes. Other great ideas include Zoom murder-mystery nights, virtual escape rooms, painting classes and even choirs. Best of all, Zoom is free and easy to use on a mobile device. 

The coronavirus pandemic has changed every aspect of everyday life, including the way people stay entertained. These are just a few of the creative solutions that keep minds occupied and souls enriched during this uncertain time.

The editorial unit