Culture, sport, restaurants, holidays, social gatherings and more have all been badly hit by the Covid-19 emergency, which means the calendar has been in shreds since March.
But there is much to look forward to in 2021 if, as is hoped, the roll-out of vaccines works effectively and public confidence grows.
Here are 10 of the best things that are lined up next year in Sheffield.
1. Get Together - a new festival
This should bring some cheer in 2021 - a new music, food and drink festival called Get Together is happening over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, May 1 and 2, at the Sheffield University Students' Union. Tim Burgess, Working Men's Club, The Murder Capital, Self Esteem and The Orielles are on the bill, while an array of street food and good ales are promised. Photo: Stuart C. Wilson
2. Racing again
Mass participation running events were cancelled across the board this year, but races like the Sheffield Half Marathon are on the cards for 2021. March 28 is the date for the half marathon. Photo: Chris Etchells
3. Sheffield Pride
Sheffield's Pride festival, which was meant to happen in Endcliffe Park in 2020, is being organised for next year instead, giving the city the chance to celebrate its LGBTQ+ community together once again with a parade and more. Photo: Simon Hulme
4. Sheffield Food Festival
Sheffield Food Festival - which brings cookery demonstrations and food stalls to the city centre and normally attracts tens of thousands of visitors - is set to return over 2021's spring bank holiday weekend, May 28 to 31, after its 10th anniversary event couldn't go ahead in 2020. Photo: Steve Ellis