The coronavirus pandemic has swiftly changed our everyday lives. By early April, more than 90% of the population were living under some form of stay-at-home order.
For some, this time at home has been a chance to reassess what’s important in life like enjoying a meal with loved ones or exploring the great outdoors.
A few months later, the novelty has worn off. Many people are itching for new entertainment.
While most summer festivals and sporting events are canceled, free online events offer an alternative. You’ll get to enjoy entertainment while social distancing.
All you need is an internet connection!
1. Catch a Concert
There are a lot of unknowns surrounding the live music industry. No one knows how long it will be until we can go to concerts and music festivals again.
Luckily, musicians are getting creative because you can find a free concert to stream almost every day of the week. The Grammys has a master list of concerts as well as smaller events that happen daily or weekly. Everything on this list is free.
You can stream everything from holiday celebrations to past Glastonbury Music Festival sets to a Rock the Vote Livestream concert. Some musicians have also played mini concerts from their homes. Check your favorite artists’ social media accounts to see if they’re planning any concerts.
No matter your musical preferences, you can find a free concert to watch. Turn up the volume and start a dance party in your living room.
2. Watch a Zoo Livestream
If you’re looking for a free activity that’s both fun and relaxing, check out one of the many zoo livestreams. Zoos all across the country have set up webcams so patrons can watch the animals from home.
Watch everything from giant pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo to jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is a fun activity for everyone, especially for toddlers and children.
Pick a time each day or once a week to check in on your favorite animals. It will establish a fun routine for both kids and adults to enjoy.
3. Take a Staycation Through the National Parks
Are you a nature lover and tired of your usual walk through your neighborhood park?
You can take a virtual trek through five National Parks including Bryce Canyon in Utah, Hawaii Volcanoes, Dry Tortugas in Florida, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, and Kenai Fjord in Alaska.
Each tour includes an aerial overview of the park as well as a walk alongside park rangers. Plus, each park tour includes a few interactive components too.
You can tour a cave in Carlsbad Caverns, enjoy the night sky in Bryce Canyon, and swim through a coral reef at the Dry Tortugas.
These free online events are great for anyone who wants to explore the National Parks without leaving home. Watch it on a laptop with headphones or play it on the TV with the volume up for a truly immersive experience.
4. Replay Your Favorite Football Games with NFL Game Pass
It’s not clear when or how team sports will return, which is frustrating for fans. If you’re wondering where to watch sporting events online, NFL Game Pass (link to pass if on NFL site) is the best place for football. While you won’t get to watch any new games, Game Pass lets you watch any game from the past 10 years.
This service is available for free from now until July 31, 2020. You have the option of watching condensed 45-minute versions or full replays. You can even watch the All-22 coaches film to see all the action.
Set aside a few nights of the week to watch your favorite NFL games or the ones you missed. You can make snacks, wear your jersey and make an evening of it.
5. Visit the World’s Art Museums
If you enjoy arts and culture, you probably have a bucket list of museums you’d love to visit one day. But international flights aren’t cheap and it takes time to fully enjoy an art museum.
With the help of Google Arts and Culture, you can now tour thousands of the world’s most prized art collections from home. You can see exhibits at American museums like The Met and the National Gallery of Art. You can also visit museums abroad like the Frida Kahlo Museum or the Van Gogh Museum.
It won’t feel quite the same as wandering through in person, but you’ll get to sample the experience for free. It’s a great way to learn more about art and it’s a helpful tool to teach your kids.
6. Go to Virtual Cooking School
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people are cooking more now than ever. If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, why not take it a bit further and attend a free and virtual version of cooking school?
Milk Street Cooking School and The Kitchn’s Cooking School are both great ways to build your skills. You’ll learn proper knife skills, how to cook without a recipe, how to work with herbs and spices, and much more. By the end, you’ll feel more confident in the kitchen and your food will taste restaurant-quality.
This is a great activity for everyone from teens to retirees. After all, it’s never too soon or too late to learn new cooking skills. It might even inspire a new career path, especially if your job was affected by COVID-19.
Beat Boredom With One of These Free Online Events Today
The coronavirus pandemic has affected everything in our lives. It’s changed the way we grocery shop to the way we work to the way we have fun.
Luckily, there are a ton of free online events that will keep you entertained without costing you a dime.
If money is especially tight right now, Echo Credit can help. We offer and arrange loans in several states. If you have questions about the application process, contact us today.