The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was scheduled to take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the first time in the contest's history that it was not held since its inception in 1956. Instead of the live event, the European Broadcasting Union organized an online show called "Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light" to celebrate the participating artists and their songs. The event aired on May 16, 2020, featuring performances and messages from contestants, while promoting unity and hope during the challenging times of the pandemic.