Five festival alternatives

It’s that time of year when your backpack is usually busting at the seams with cereal bars, sun lotion and a spare loo roll - ready and waiting for the long-anticipated summer festival. But what’s going to happen now? Here are 5 corona-friendly activities to bring you those chilled-out vibes.


1. Have a home festival


With social distancing becoming the new normal there's never been a better time to do something at home. So, if you’re lucky enough to have a bit of space why not invite a few people over?

You can ask guests to create playlists and even bring their favourite food and drink so you don’t have to worry about a big shop. To really create the festival vibes you could play some old footage (available online) or stay outdoors
late into the night with solar lights and candles. Even better – invite a friend who can play the guitar!


2. Head to an outdoor cinema


Public spaces are slowly opening up again, and that includes cinemas! Catching an outdoor show might be one of the few opportunities to ‘gather’ publicly and safely. Whip up some tasty snacks and ask some friends to attend.
For up-to-date information check out these venues:
- The Luna Cinema
- The Lost Cinema
- Open Air Film and Chill
- @TheDriveIn

You can also hire your own outdoor cinema, maybe you and a few friends can club together to hold your own event?


3. Get out in nature


One of the best things about heading to a festival is stepping out of your normal routine, getting outdoors and living close to nature. Now is the perfect time to dust off your camping gear and head out into the wild! Campsites are opening up again, but if you don’t fancy an overnight stay you can always have a day trip to some of our beautiful national parks. For up-to-date information visit these sites:
- National Parks
- National Trust
- The Camping Directory


4. Have a karaoke showdown


You might not have the voices of a thousand people with you, but you can still sing your heart out to your favourite band! This is a great last-minute idea with your housemates and family, or you can plan ahead and invite a few people over.
Just download a Karaoke app (if you don’t already have the gear) and stock up on snacks.


5. Re-create your favourite festival nosh


Another festival favourite is the wide variety of international food at your fingertips. But there’s no need to miss out, you can re-create those dishes at home! From burgers and tacos to brownies and doughnuts, this is a great opportunity to learn some new recipes and impress your friends and family.

If you need some inspiration have a read through the suggestions at
bbc.co.uk/food/collections/festival_recipes. You never know, this time next year you could be running your own food truck.

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