Get in the Holiday Spirit with These Virtual Celebrations

This holiday season is definitely looking a bit different this year. There aren’t crowds around the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, and there won’t be people camping out in Times Square to watch the ball drop. With this extra time at home, it’s a great excuse to decorate with holiday decor and watch Christmas movies all day. Whether it's your family, children, or significant other at home for the holidays, there are many great events happening that are completely virtual. Some offerings are free to register while others have a small fee. These events will keep your holiday tradition and create new ones. Here are virtual celebrations to get you in the holiday spirit.

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than with all of your friends and coworkers. With Microsoft Teams, you’re able to host parties with newly released holiday-themed backgrounds and ‘Together Mode’ scenes. With Together mode, it really looks like you’re all in the same room! Microsoft will keep your party going because hosts can now have unlimited gatherings for up to 24 hours. Yes, that means the work holiday party can still go all night long. Get creative with a digital photobooth and clink your glasses *virtually*.

When? Anytime, it’s up to you!

Santa definitely has to take a few detours this Christmas season to maintain social distancing. Well, Airbnb called Santa’s workshop down at the North Pole and together they worked out a virtual and safe way for children all around the world to visit him! With so many Santa Claus impersonators out of a job this year because of COVID-19, Airbnb: Online Experiences is helping these Santas to become online hosts on their platform. There’s many you can choose from who each offer something a little different.

When? Book throughout the month of December 2020

From the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, families will be able to sign up for musically tinged holiday fun. Recommended for ages four and up, participants will learn more about festive country music history as well as storytelling and songs. It’s a great way to get your children engaged and try something new in your quarantine routine.

When? December 19, 2020 10:30AM - 11:15AM EST.

The New York Ballet pre-COVID is a bucket list activity to do in New York City. Arriving at the Lincoln Center feeling like royalty — it’s something special. This year, you can rent The Nutcracker to watch at home. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker was filmed on center stage in 2019 at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. With an orchestra of 62, you’ll be mesmerized from the battle of army mice to snowflakes and candy. It’s been a New York City staple for decades!

When? Available December 11, 2020 through January 3, 2021.

Did you know that it’s an Irish tradition to make oyster stew on Christmas Eve? Home cook Angie will introduce herself and walk the class through every step to prepare an oyster stew and spinach and beet salad. It’s a Catholic tradition to not eat meat on Christmas Eve, so when Irish settlers arrived in America in the 1800s, they had plenty of oysters and the rest is history. You’ll purchase all of the ingredients beforehand and will be ready to get festive to start your own tradition.

When? December 19, 2020 6:30PM - 7:30PM EST.

Can you imagine a New Year’s Eve without Times Square packed for an entire day? Well, here we are and the virtual New Year’s celebration is going to be just as grand. While television channels will be broadcasting too, you’re able to watch live this year on Times Square’s very own website from your desktop or phone.

When? December 31, 2020 at 6PM EST.

We hope these virtual celebrations will bring you even more hope and joy this festive season. It’s important to continue social distance and follow safety guidelines. These events from home are a great way to still catch up with friends and even make new ones. Here’s to a new year and clean slate — excited to meet you, 2021!