It's always good to look on the bright side, especially when it comes to a new year. Despite the challenges 2021 threw at us, there are reasons to be hopeful for the new year ahead. Here are 22 things to look forward to in 2022.
Pandemic
1. Full vaccine eligibility for all ages gets closer
Vaccines have been instrumental in protecting people from COVID. As 2021 comes to a close, at least one type of vaccine is available for anyone 5 years and older. But there's still one age group that hasn't been authorized to get a vaccine from any manufacturer: Young children ages 4 and under. But protection for this age group is likely coming in 2022. Pfizer said it expects to have clinical trial data available for kids ages 2-5 by the end of the year and for kids between 6 months and 2 years by March of 2022, bringing an FDA authorization and full vaccine eligibility one step closer.
World News
2. Year of the Tiger
On Feb. 1, Many communities worldwide will celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger. People born in the Year of the Tiger are assertive, courageous leaders, according to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
3. The Queen's Jubilee
Feb. 6, 2022 marks Queen Elizabeth II's 70th year as monarch. To celebrate, the royals are hosting a year-long Platinum Jubilee event. A concert from Buckingham Palace, a horse race, parades and other celebrations are planned as part of the celebration during the first weekend of June.
4. Double total lunar eclipses
Two total lunar eclipses, also known as "blood moons," will be visible in the U.S. and other continents on May 16 and Nov. 22. The next total lunar eclipse won't happen until 2025.
Sports
5. The Olympics are back again
It wasn't long ago we were watching the Summer games in Tokyo that got pushed back a year, due to COVID-19. Now less than a year later, the Winter Games will take place in Beijing in February 2022.
6. A jam-packed Super Bowl halftime show
Not only will the 2022 Super Bowl in Los Angeles coincide with the Olympics, but hip-hop and rap fans will also be treated to a star-studded halftime show lineup. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will all be making appearances.
7. The World Cup
Soccer fans worldwide can look forward to the men's World Cup in November and December 2022. Teams will be competing in Qatar, but qualifying competitions have already started. The U.S. Men's National Team, currently ranked 12th in the world, will play qualifying matches in January, February and March, in hopes of landing a spot in the World Cup.
Tech
8. Suicide hotline will become more accessible
The Federal Communications Commission last summer voted to require phone companies to support the 988 number for people to call to reach an existing suicide-prevention hotline. Recognizing that texting is critical to Americans, particularly young people and those who are deaf, have hearing loss or speech disabilities, the commission has since voted to require a texting option as well. Phone companies have until July 2022 to implement the 988 number for both calling and texting.
9. New advances in environmentally-friendly electric cars
As demand for environmentally-friendly cars grow, auto makers are rolling out more electric (and futuristic) trucks, like the Electric Ford F-150 Lightning, the Tesla Cybertruck and newcomer Rivian's R1T.
10. Cheaper iPhone repairs
In 2022, Apple will be premiering its Self Service Repair program, which will allow customers to fix newer iPhones themselves, through a website which will sell replacement parts. A repair manual will help guide DIY-ers.
Entertainment
11. Highly-anticipated movies
Film lovers have some exciting new remakes and sequel flicks to look forward to in 2022 including a "Top Gun" reprise called "Top Gun: Maverick," "Knives Out 2," "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and "The Batman" starring Robert Pattinson.
12. Top musicians announce tours
Live music continues to pick up steam with upcoming tours from hot artists like The Backstreet Boys, Justin Bieber, The Weekend, Elton John, Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish.
13. Broadway in full swing
After pandemic shutdowns, fans of the theater can look forward to a robust 2022 Broadway season with shows like "MJ" featuring the music of Michael Jackson, "Plaza Suite" which stars real-life couple Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker and a revival of "The Music Man" featuring Hugh Jackman.
14. New TV for fantasy lovers
If you love fantasy television series, there's a lot to look forward to in 2022. Look out for a "Lord of the Rings" reboot series, "Game of Thrones" prequel "House of the Dragon," three "Star Wars" spinoffs-- "Obi-Wan Kenobi," "Rangers of the New Republic" and "Andor," and a live-action remake of "Avatar: The Last Airbender."
15. Series finales for beloved shows
It can be hard to say goodbye to a beloved TV show, but there's nothing more satisfying than tying up loose plot points. Fans of "This is Us," "Better Call Saul," "Ozark" and "Dead to Me" can anticipate some closure as those series end in 2022.
16. Highly anticipated new albums
Hit artists like Dolly Parton, Jason Aldean, Kid Cudi, Saweetie, Weezer, The Lumineers and Artic Monkeys will be dropping albums in 2022.
17. Hot new Las Vegas residencies
Sin City tourists can catch intimate performances from popular performers like Adele and John Legend. Both have announced residencies for 2022 in Las Vegas.
18. Museum of Broadway
Visitors should plan on getting to Broadway early this summer because the first permanent museum dedicated to Broadway will open in the heart of Times Square in the summer of 2022.
19. New kids' programming
Youngsters will enjoy an upcoming "Moana" show, a sequel to the 2007 film "Enchanted" called "Disenchanted," and a "Zootopia" series.
20. Interesting celebrity books
Performers Viola Davis, Janelle Monáe and Dolly Parton will be releasing books in the new year. Davis will publish a memoir called "Finding Me," Monáe's book called "The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer" will explore themes from her album "Dirty Computer," and Parton's publication will be a novel called "Run, Rose, Run," co-written with bestselling thriller author James Patterson.
21. Big anniversaries for some on-screen favorites
Two pop culture classics will celebrate 50 years on-screen: Fan-favorite game show "The Price is Right," and cinematic masterpiece "The Godfather." Both premiered in 1972.
22. Classic musicians up for GRAMMYs
Cheer on classic artists and GRAMMY nominees like ABBA, Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney and AC/DC. The award show will take place on Jan. 31.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.