While 2020 has been a trying year for us all, we've really gotten used to doing things virtually (or at a social distance). If you're planning a virtual NYE this year, there are some fun events to look forward to - and you don't even have to leave the house to take part.
From cocktail masterclasses to music quizzes, we've dug out the most exciting New Year events to join in with this year. Whether you're in tier one, two or three, there's something for everyone here.
Take a look at the best online New Year's events below:
Advert
Have a cocktail evening with friends
Everyone loves a good party at New Year so why not get cocktails delivered, ready for a night of learning how to make them (and having fun with friends along the way)?
Cocktaildelivery.co.uk's kits are ideal for any small or online gatherings and the best news of all is that they're delivered straight to your door.
While this isn't a cocktail masterclass, the kits do provide everything you need to make your own cocktails at home, so you can enjoy your own Zoom party or socially distanced gathering with friends.
Advert
Choose from the Pornstar Martini Kit, the Espresso Martini Kit, the Unicorn Gin Cocktail Kit (we like the sound of this one!), the Tokyo Cosmo Cocktail Kit, the White Russian Cocktail Kit or the Pirate Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit. Most kits make up to 7-10 cocktails, so you're definitely covered this New Year.
Buy your cocktail kits here.
Join a cocktail masterclass at home
If it's a masterclass you're looking for, we'd highly suggest the 'GINspiration history and cocktails at home' event by @beyondthebarsam.
Advert
Not your average stay-at-home drink experience, this is perfect for single people, couples, or larger groups and promises to be "the most unique, interactive gin tasting you'll ever go on, where you'll make (and drink) some great cocktails and learn the tipsy history of gin - the perfect way to enjoy a great evening and start a party!"
Now, where do we sign up?
Using some simple ingredients you'll probably already have, such as gin, fruit and sugar, this fun masterclass will take you through the cocktail making experience from start to finish.
The BYOB event will include drinking games, forfeits and the history of British and world gin, plus you'll learn how to make three different cocktails on the night.
Advert
"This is a fun, high energy, bring your own booze online cocktail experience," the description says, and we're seriously hoping it doesn't disappoint.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Experience the Lost New Year
Join in with this completely unique New Year event, where you can celebrate 2021's arrival in different countries around the world.
Advert
Why not log on to watch Sydney ringing in 2021, celebrate in the UK at the usual time or watch as the US celebrates hours after us?
Set in a "lost house", the 25 hour event will include a series of pre-recorded looped musical numbers from performers which will air as each timezone celebrates the New Year. Each of the loops will start 30 minutes before New Year in that timezone and celebrate for 30 minutes afterwards.
"Join us for an enchanting evening where time loops, clock hands spin, and there will be more than one midnight countdown to celebrate the New Year," reads the event's description.
Viewers are encouraged to celebrate New Year as many times as they want too, with a link that will be active throughout the night.
The immersive event, organised by professional performers, will run from 5.30am EST on 31st December to 6.30am EST on 1st January (that's 10.30am to 11.30am GMT) and tickets are free.
Find out more and book your place here.
Join a virtual escape room
Why not gather up your friends and family (you don't even need to be in the same room as them) over the festive period and try out a virtual escape room over New Year?
The best part? It can be played anytime once you've purchased the tickets, meaning there's no need to miss out on New Year specific events with tickets that sell out fast.
In this MI5-themed escape room, you'll play one of the security service's newest recruits and your mission will be to uncover the identity of a rogue MI5 agent who has been stealing art and sculptures from around the globe, collect enough evidence against him and advise the agency of his position.
The game, Rogue Agent, can be played by 1-6 players in one or multiple locations. If playing with others over Zoom, just log in on one device and share your screen.
Find out more about the online event here.
Celebrate virtually in Times Square
If you've ever wanted to celebrate the New Year in the big apple, a virtual 'world' of New York's Times Square has been created so that fans of the annual celebration can still experience it this year and those who wouldn't normally get the chance to experience it can.
The virtual experience is set to complement the limited live entertainment and experiences happening this year, so that everyone can experience the fun of ringing in the New Year in Times Square.
Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance said: "Because any opportunity to be live in Times Square will be pre-determined and extremely limited due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be the opportunity to participate virtually wherever you are."
More information will be released soon but, in the meantime, find out more about the virtual world and the broadcast app that goes along with it here.
Have a Netflix party
For those of us happy to have a more relaxed New Year, Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) offers the perfect way to enjoy a film with your friends this NYE.
Simply install Teleparty to your computer, open a video or film, create a Teleparty and invite others to join.
With an in-built chat screen and a perfectly synced experience, it'll be almost like you're sat on the sofa together.
The fun viewing experience works with Netflix, Hulu, Disney and HBO so choose a film you'll enjoy watching together and sit back and enjoy. The popcorn is optional.
Find out more here.
Join in with a pub quiz
Sounds Familiar, the music quiz specialists, will bring an online pub quiz to you with the 'Sounds Familiar NYE Party' on the 31st December.
Bring your friends, create a team and crank up the tunes, say the team.
Starting from £10 for a team, instructions and a quiz pack will be sent to participants via email before the night. Up to 10 people can join in per team and the quiz will run from 8.30 to 10.30pm, so there's plenty of time to celebrate your win or commiserate afterwards, before the clock strikes midnight.
Find out more and buy your team ticket here.
Featured Image Credit: UnsplashTopics: Entertainment, Drink, Food And Drink