Entertainment

These Are the Top-Trending YouTube Videos of 2020

Check out some of the most viewed, and more importantly, most talked about videos of the year.

Dude Perfect/YouTube
Dude Perfect/YouTube
Dude Perfect/YouTube

People spend a lot of time on YouTube-falling down rabbit holes, searching for how-tos, checking out music videos, and laughing at funny clips-but we found our entertainment there more than ever this past year spent at home. 

Today, YouTube announced the top-trending videos on the platform this year-the new uploads (excluding music videos) that got a whole lot of views, but mostly sparked a great deal of conversation. A mix of vids from some of the biggest YouTubers, commentary on current events, uploads from celebrities, and clips from quarantine, they all represent this unpredictable year in one way or another. Below, find the top-trending uploads and give ’em a watch if you’re eager to reflect on the past 11 months.

10. Some Good News with John Krasinski Ep. 1

Views: 18.3 million
Channel: SomeGoodNews 
What to know: In the middle of the first lockdown, actor John Krasinski tried to bring some smiles into fans’ lives by launching Some Good News, his unofficial news broadcast highlighting good things going on in the world. The first episode, which includes a reunion with The Office co-star Steve Carell, was a hit.

9. Quarantine Stereotypes 

Views: 41.1 million
Channel: Dude Perfect
What to know: Just about everybody fell into at least one of several clichés of how they spent their year in lockdown, from going pants-less on Zoom calls from their at-home office or giving yourself a haircut at the kitchen table. Popular comedy/stunt collective Dude Perfect captured just about every one of those stereotypes in this video that is certainly hashtag relatable. 

8. Ricky Gervais’ Monologue – 2020 Golden Globes

Views: 16.5 million
Channel: NBC
What to know: One of the few pre-pandemic videos on this list, but a pop cultural moment nonetheless: host Ricky Gervais’ opening to the 2020 Golden Globes. It may be hard to remember a time when we got to see movies in the theaters, but here, Gervais roasts a handful of stars from them.

7. Minecraft Speedrunner VS 3 Hunters GRAND FINALE

Views: 51.1 million
Channel: Dream
What to know: Gamer YouTube has always claimed a big chunk in popularity on the platform, but this year it took off even more with people having to socialize online. This video is over 40 minutes of Minecraft, and it’s pretty wild to watch as YouTuber Dream tries to beat the game while three of his friends play against him.

6. I’m Coming Out.

Views: 36.3 million
Channel: NikkieTutorials  
What to know: Beauty vlogger Nikkie de Jager, who has been sharing makeup tutorials often featuring celebrity cameos for over a decade, revealed to her fans that she’s transgender at the start of 2020. It was a big moment in the online beauty community, not only because de Jager rarely discusses her personal life in videos, but for representation. 

5. I Bought The World’s Largest Firework ($600,000)

Views: 56.7 million
Channel: MrBeast
What to know: The title of this one says it all: The ever-viral prankster MrBeast pulled one of his most explosive challenges yet, purchasing the most expensive and biggest fireworks available.

4. We Broke Up.

Views: 33 million 
Channel: JeffreeStar
What to know: What would a YouTube year-end list be without a bit of drama from famous vloggers? This was one of the biggest of the year, featuring makeup mogul Jeffree Star informing fans of his breakup with his longtime boyfriend, skateboarder Nathan Schwandt.

3. First Debate Cold Open – SNL

Views: 29.9 million
Channel: Saturday Night Live
What to know: The 2020 election was inescapable-and as overwhelming as that was, it at least made for a few memorable skits on Saturday Night Live, one of them being a reenactment of the first presidential debate that made everybody’s heads spin, with Beck Bennett playing moderator Chris Wallace, Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump, and Jim Carrey’s debut as Joe Biden.

2. Building the Perfect Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Views: 49.8 million
Channel: Mark Rober
What to know: Popular YouTuber Mark Rober, who is a former NASA engineer and has a channel devoted to sharing science experiments and inventions, went above and beyond in explaining how to build the perfect bird feeder. Instead of a simple how-to meant for yard-obsessed dads, he shows off an obstacle course he created to not only keep the squirrels away, but demonstrate how much freaky agility those tree rats really have.

1. Dave Chappelle – 8:46

Views: 29 million
Channel: Netflix Is A Joke
What to know: Following the death of George Floyd, who was pinned down on the kneck by a police officer’s knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, Dave Chappelle hosted a stand-up special that was unlike most of his other acts. Rather than cracking jokes throughout, the event that was held in-person in Ohio, with appropriate COVID-19 restrictions in place, and then made into a free, public video was a commentary on the violence and excessive policing committed against Black Americans, intended as a social address.Need help finding something to watch? Sign up here for our weekly Streamail newsletter to get streaming recommendations delivered straight to your inbox.

Sadie Bell is the entertainment editorial assistant at Thrillist. She’s on Twitter at @mssadiebell.

Entertainment

Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2023 in Australia

And what it means to be in the year of the Rabbit.

where to celebrate lunar new year australia

Starting with the new moon on Sunday, January 22, this Lunar New Year ushers in the year of the Rabbit. We’ve put together a guide on celebrating the Lunar New Year in Australia.

What is special about the year of the Rabbit?

As you might know, each year has an animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac, which is based on the moon and has a 12-year cycle. This year, we celebrate the year of the rabbit, known to be the luckiest out of all twelve animals. It symbolises mercy, elegance, and beauty.

What celebrations are taking place and how can I get involved?

There are plenty of festivals happening all around the country which you can get involved with. Here they are per state.

New South Wales

Darling Harbour Fireworks
When: Every year, Sydney puts on a fireworks show, and this year, you can catch it on January 28 and February 4 at 9 pm in Darling Harbour.

Dragon Boat Races
When: Witness three days of dragon boat races and entertainment on Cockle Bay to usher in the Lunar New Year. The races will commence on January 27 and finish on January 29.

Lion Dances
When: Catch a traditional Lion Dance moving to the beat of a vigorous drum bringing good luck and fortune for the Lunar New Year. The dance performances will happen across Darling Harbour on Saturday, January 21, Sunday, January 22, and Sunday, February 4 and 5, around 6 pm and 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at Cirrus Dining
When: Barangaroo’s waterfront seafood restaurant, Cirrus, is celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with a special feast menu. Cirrus’ LNY menu is $128pp with optional wine pairing and is available from Saturday, January 21, to Sunday, February 5.

Auntie Philter
When: Hello Auntie’s owner and executive chef, Cuong Nguyen will be dishing out some of the most classic Vietnamese street foods with his mum, Linda. All of Philter’s favourites will be on offer, as well as Raspberry Pash Beer Slushies and other cocktails being served at the Philter Brewing rooftop bar on Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, January 29.

Victoria

Lunar New Year Festival
When: Ring in the Lunar New Year with food, music, arts, and more on Sunday, January 22, from 10 am to 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at the National Gallery of Victoria
When: Celebrate the year of the rabbit at the National Gallery of Victoria’s festival of art, food, and art-making activities for everyone from 10 am-5 pm.

Queensland

BriAsia Festival
When: From February 1-19, Brisbane will come alive with performances, including lion dances and martial arts displays. There will be street food, workshops, comedy and more.

South Australia

Chinatown Adelaide Street Party
When: Adelaide is set to hose a fun-filled day celebrating the Chinese New Year on Saturday, January 28, from 12 pm to 9 pm.

Western Australia

Crown Perth
When: Across January and February, Crown Perth hosts free live entertainment, including colourful lion dances, roving mascots, and drumming performances. The restaurants will also throw banquets and menus dedicated to the Lunar New Year.

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