Things to look forward to in 2021
14th December 2020
Most people at this point in time are wishing that the end to the current coronavirus pandemic is near after a year in which the UK has seen lockdowns, people being asked to work from home and events cancelled.
Older adults, people with mobility problems that need stairlifts to get around their home and those shielding have had to rely on friends and family to help them with things such as shopping throughout the year, but with new coronavirus vaccines being released it is hoped that things will start to get back to normal in the New Year.
This guide is putting 2020 in the past and is rounding up some of the things people can look forward to in 2021, including re-arranged events, films and more. Read on to find out some of the major 2021 events happening across the UK and the world as well as other things people are looking forward to most.
Seeing your family more
With many older people being advised to shield and the different lockdowns and tiers that the UK has had to endure, it is hoped that the New Year will see restrictions being eased.
This could mean that people are able to meet up with their families again and grandchildren can see their grandparents again like they did before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
This is something that Jodie Paterson, a lifestyle blogger, is really looking forward to in 2021 as she hopes to see her parents and grandparents a lot more.
She said: “I definitely want to see more of my parents and grandparents in 2021 since I moved away from my home city it has become harder to see them and these past few months have made it even worse! I look forward to being able to give them big hugs and go on some nice day trips with them.”
READ ALSO: Your guide to virtual days out
Cinemas and theatres re-opening
While some cinemas and theatres have re-opened in some areas of the UK, there are other regions where they have been unable to open to their doors to the public again.
This has meant many people asking when are cinemas reopening in the UK. It is hoped that all cinemas and theatres will be able to re-open in some fashion next year.
Kate Davis-Holmes, an award-winning freelance writer and the blogger behind Woman On Thin Ice, said: “I am looking forward to spending quality time with loved ones in nature and also returning to old leisure pursuits like the theatre and the cinema as it has been many years since I have last done these things.”
Top film releases for 2021
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it meant that many films which had been planned to be released this year were put back. Here are some blockbuster films you can see in the New Year:
•Black Widow (set to be released in May 2021)
•Bell Bottom (set to be released in April 2021)
•Dune (set to be released sometime in 2021)
•James Bond - No Time to Die (set to be released in April 2021)
•Matrix 4 (set to be released in December 2021)
Top theatre shows in 2021
There have also been several theatres shows that have been rescheduled for 2021 and here a few you can look to put on your bucket list:
•Tom and Jerry (rescheduled for some time in 2021)
•Beauty and the Beast (set to be released in May 2021)
•Back to the Future (set to be released in May 2021)
•Grease (rescheduled for some time in 2021)
•The Addams Family (set to be released in January 2021)
READ ALSO: Best activities for older people to try in lockdown
Planning days out
Whether you planned to visit a museum or go out for a meal with your friends, these plans had to be stopped because of the pandemic.
Now with restaurants and attractions beginning to open in certain areas of the UK, it is hoped that 2021 will see things get back to some kind of normality so you can organise days out with your friends.
Fiona Hawkes from Savvy in Somerset said: “I'm really looking forward to being able to make simple plans with friends, even if it's just a weeknight cinema trip or a meal in a local restaurant. I'm also keen to get back doing monthly quiz nights at my favourite bar - I've been going to the same one for five years now and have really missed it as it's such good fun - zoom quizzes just don't have the same atmosphere (or decent cocktails!).
“We had lots of events cancelled in 2020 including two weddings, a stand-up gig and a theatre trip. Fingers crossed these don't get postponed again and can go ahead as planned.
“My daughter was two over the summer, so we had planned lots of lovely day trips to local beaches with her grandparents which of course didn't happen. I think we managed one and the weather was rubbish. Hopefully, we can make up for this is in 2021 with lots of days out together.”
READ ALSO: A look back at lockdown
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship should have taken place in the summer of 2020, but because of the COVID-19 outbreak, it was postponed in March.
The tournament will now take place from 11th June to 11th July 2021 and unlike previous tournaments will not be hosted in just one country but will see matches take place across various locations.
There will be seven games played in London, four in Glasgow and four in the Republic of Ireland. The games that will be played in London include both semi-finals and the final. It is unclear as to how many fans will be allowed into the matches, but this will be announced in the forthcoming months.
READ ALSO: A-Z on how to get through the coronavirus pandemic
Wimbledon
Wimbledon is the most iconic tennis tournament in the world and after it was cancelled for the first time since World War II as a result of the pandemic, the 134th championships will be staged in 2021. The tournament is set to take place from June 28th to July 11th, 2021.
Organisers have said on their website that they are considering multiple operational scenarios for the 2021 championships: “These scenarios fall into three broad categories: a full capacity Championships, a reduced capacity Championships, and a ‘behind closed doors’ Championships, all of which are dependent on the status of the government and public health guidelines.”
The different courts at Wimbledon are all mobility-friendly and there are wheelchair-accessible areas too, so if you have mobility problems and you need to use home stair lifts or walking aids, then you can still attend the championships safe in the knowledge that you will be able to get into courts without any problems.
READ ALSO: Accessible walks to try whilst social distancing
The Summer Olympics
The Summer Olympics, like many other big events, was due to take place in 2020 in Tokyo. Athletes had trained hard in the lead-up to the games, but the decision was taken to re-arrange the event.
Now the games will commence on 23rd July and run until 8th August with the Paralympics starting on 24th August and finishing on September 5th.
A number of changes have been put in place for competing athletes including being asked to leave the Olympic Village 48 hours after elimination from their event.
READ ALSO: Simple ways to keep positive during Coronavirus
Holidays
It might seem inconceivable to think about travelling abroad or even to other parts of the UK right now, due to COVID-19 and the different travel restrictions that are in place.
However, with the release of new vaccines and many places around the world opening their doors and doing it with health and safety protocols in place, it has been reported by Travel Planners that holiday bookings have begun to rise.
As countries begin to reopen in 2021, travel is expected to look different with new safety, testing and cleaning practices expected to be in place. Many experts believe this could be better for some holidaymakers with over-touristed destinations expected to be less crowded as travellers opt for more isolated destinations.
Eurovision
The world’s largest music event, which is a popular watch for many across the UK, was cancelled for the first time in 2020 but many of the artists that were due to perform at the event will compete in the 2021 event.
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Rotterdam and the event will see 41 countries take part including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
There are lots of big events taking place and to recap, here are the top things to look forward to in 2021:
•Seeing your family more
•Cinemas and theatres re-opening
•Planning days out
•UEFA European Football Championship
•Wimbledon
•The Summer Olympics
•Holidays
•Eurovision
This news article is from Handicare UK. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only.
