The pandemic put a pause on all kinds of indoor events across the country. Fortunately, summer weather gave us the ability to host safe outdoor events on Meetup. Now that fall is here and winter is approaching, you might be wondering how your Meetup group can continue to thrive in the cold weather.
Transitioning from in-person events to online events doesn’t have to be a headache. It only takes a few minutes to learn the basics of hosting an online event on Meetup. But once you know how to do it, the challenge is deciding what to do with your Meetup group. Anyone can schedule a Zoom call, but great organizers go the extra mile by planning a digital itinerary. This quick guide shares some specific activities you can lead that will keep your Meetup group engaged.
Learn how to start an online Meetup group.
Online event ideas for outdoorsy groups
If your Meetup group is known for walking and sightseeing, there are lots of great resources you can use to explore the world from the comfort of your home.
1. Take a virtual architecture tour of New York City
During the months of quarantine, the New York Times has put together a series of walks around town with several different architects. Through photographs and interviews, you can learn the history of classic skyscrapers, discover the beauty of the East River waterfront, and marvel at the hidden gems throughout Rockefeller Center. Simply create a free account on the Times website to read these articles in full. Then, share your screen with your Meetup group, and lead an urban exploration.
2. Visit national parks
The National Parks Service has joined forces with Google Arts & Culture to capture the natural wonder of the United States. Your Meetup group can virtually travel to five national parks from coast to coast, including:
- Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
- Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
These virtual tours consist of panoramic photographs you can explore in 360 degrees, videos, and virtual tour guides who teach you about the natural formations as you view them. In the Hawai’i Volcanoes tour, for example, your group can fly over an active volcano and watch past eruptions.
Online event ideas for artsy groups
Meetup groups dedicated to cultural experiences don’t have to go on hiatus during quarantine and cold weather. Below are a few activities that can keep your group involved in the art scene.
1. Arrange an online gallery
Google Arts & Culture has high-resolution scans of over 100,00 artworks from around the world. The website allows you to explore these works in full detail, favorite them, and organize favorites into your own personal gallery. You can ask each member of your Meetup group to select one piece of art from Google’s collection that speaks to them. Then, you can organize all of those pieces into your gallery and share your screen. Each group member can discuss what drew them to the artwork they chose.
If you prefer, you can opt to take a virtual tour of an art museum instead of arranging your own gallery. Google Arts & Culture features exhibits from some of the most famous museums across the globe, including the British Museum in London, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and many more.
2. Have a viewing party with Netflix Party
Netflix Party is a free Chrome extension that allows you to synchronize video playback, meaning you and your Meetup group can watch TV and movies at the same exact time. The best part? Netflix Party creates a group chat for your viewing party to discuss what you’re watching, as you’re watching it!
You can also use a website like Letterboxd to publicly keep track of the films your Meetup group watches, and share more in-depth reviews.
Online event ideas for sporty groups
For Meetup groups based on physical activity, there are plenty of ways to stay in shape together without actually being together.
1. Follow workouts from professional athletes
Pro athletes lost access to their training facilities during the height of COVID-19, and had to develop home fitness solutions. Your Meetup group can get together online and follow the quarantine workouts of NBA athletes like Serge Ibaka, Trae Young, and Matisse Thybulle. If your group favors soccer over basketball, you can follow the home workouts of Premier League clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and more.
2. Learn how to lead a fitness class
If you’re feeling brave, you can choose to lead your own fitness classes for your Meetup group. Leading any kind of fitness activity class requires planning and positivity. Using a wealth of online resources, you can organize a virtual fitness event on Meetup with confidence. Learn how to teach a fitness class for the first time, get tips on leading an inspired yoga session, and even discover how to guide your group in meditation.
Staying active while staying home
Until we can safely host outdoor events again, online events are where community happens. Cold weather doesn’t mean your Meetup group has to freeze. With a little planning, you can organize virtual events that are engaging and fun.
Last modified on November 15, 2023
