Labor Day — like the rest of the past several months — looks different in 2020.
Sending off a not-so-fun, anxiety-ridden (for me, at least) summer isn’t an easy feat when…we can’t still have the fun we had in the Before Times. Given the long weekend, however, officials are worried about a spike in coronavirus cases.
If you insist on celebrating the symbolic end to 2020’s outdoor fun, there are precautions you can take — but let’s be real, the safest option is to just stay home. And it doesn’t have to be a downer, either. Here are eight ideas to celebrate Labor Day weekend inside:
1. Watch a concert
Endless Summer, a two-day virtual concert series by Bumble, The Surf Lodge, and Governors Ball, kicks off Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. The first night features artists Tones and I with sounds by Oli Benz, while Sunday night (also beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET) features Gary Clark Jr. with sounds by Blackillac. The event is free — RSVP here, or just check it out on YouTube.
2. Watch an opera
Perhaps opera is more your speed? The Metropolitan Opera has you covered. You can stream the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess for free throughout Labor Day weekend. Feel super cultured and stay safe while you’re doing it.
3. DIY BBQ
If you, like me, live in an apartment building, there’s a good chance you don’t have a grill. If you’re craving burgers or hot dogs like the warm-blooded American you are, you can cook burgers in a cast iron skillet, and there are several ways to cook hot dogs without a grill, including cast iron. Maintain all the flavor, no grill required.
4. Online shop
Malls may be open in your area, but let’s face it: Not only is online shopping safer, but you can also do it from bed. There are tons of deals abound, and luckily Mashable rounded up the best Labor Day sales so you don’t have to look too far.
5. Attend a drive-in movie
OK, OK, maybe this is cheating a bit — but if you’re staying in your car, you’re technically staying inside! One Google search can let you know whether a drive-in is in your area; in my case as a New Yorker, both Queens and Brooklyn have drive-ins.
6. Finish that annoying home project you’ve been neglecting
Need to organize your junk drawer? Go through your clothes to donate to charity? Give your tub the deep clean it deserves? You have the time — just do it.
7. Visit a museum — virtually
From the Picasso Museum in Barcelona to the Museum of Broken Relationships in Los Angeles, museums are “opening” their doors to virtual guests. TimeOut rounded up a list here, though if you Google you may find even more options. If you prefer an app, DailyArt serves you one piece of fine art every day, with a short story about it to boot.
8. Learn the history of Labor Day
This may sound boring, but hear me out: The history of Labor Day is embedded in the overall labor movement. The movement isn’t just responsible for Labor Day — it’s why you have a weekend in the first place! And the power of organized labor was seen just in recent days with the NBA strike.
This Labor Day may have the pandemic looming over it, but that doesn’t mean it has to suck. Even if you stay in bed reading or watching Netflix, you can be confident you’re staying safe and curbing the spread.