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Burning Man as you know it won't happen this year, due to the pandemic, but there will still be a festival -- just with way less dust and fun ... probably.

Organizers of the annual art phenomenon held in the Nevada desert announced Friday they were pulling the plug to avoid a possible COVID-19 outbreak. The event, scheduled for Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, isn't being postponed -- a la Coachella -- but instead will move online.

The Burning Man camp -- built and torn down each year in the middle of nowhere -- is known as Black Rock City, and the organizers say they're gonna try to create a Virtual BRC, but they admit ... "We’re not sure how it’s going to come out; it will likely be messy and awkward with mistakes. It will also likely be engaging, connective, and fun."

So, the good news is you won't leave the event covered in 2 inches of dirt. The bad news is you won't leave covered 2 inches of dirt. BTW, last year they had 70,000 attendees.

The organizers say they will offer full refunds to anyone who's already purchased tickets, which cost $475 to $1400. However, they're asking anyone who can afford it to donate their ticket price to The Burning Man Project ... in order to keep the festival alive for the next year.

We think they're speaking directly to past attendees like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and, yes ... even Jeff Bezos has done Burning Man.

Every major sport in America has been shut down -- except one -- horse racing, which is alive and thriving in multiple states across the country, TMZ Sports has learned.

We've confirmed tracks are operating in Florida, California, Arkansas and Oklahoma -- though we're told ALL of the tracks are not allowing fans to enter the facilities.

The reason? Gamblers.

In short, the races are still being streamed online and through various broadcast partners, so people stuck at home can still bet on the ponies!

In Florida, both the Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park have a "no spectator" policy -- and have ordered all staffers to wear masks and gloves while practicing social distancing.

A rep for Gulfstream tells us, medical personnel are screening jockeys on the way into the track, taking temperatures and looking for COVID-19 symptoms.

Plus, we're told any jockey or horse that comes to race from another state must complete a 14-day quarantine before they are allowed to compete.

In California, the Los Alamitos track is closed to the public -- but racing on Friday through Sunday with only "essential staff permitted inside the facility."

Shocking considering California has essentially locked down the state for all, but essential businesses. Still, the horses run.

In Arkansas ... the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort shut down their casino but has allowed the track to continue to function. Again, no spectators.

In fact, the $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes is still scheduled to take place on Saturday.

In Oklahoma ... Remington Park is running too, but they note they're "closed to the public."

We spoke with a rep for the Jockey's Guild who tell us they support the tracks staying open -- explaining, "Its important horses get training and exercise."

"It's very important. Protocols are in place. It's best for the horses and the industry to keep going."

Kanye West and his Sunday Service Choir were slated to join Joel Osteen for a special Easter performance ... but it's been canceled for safety concerns.

Sources with knowledge tell TMZ Joel and Kanye were in contact Friday working out the final details of Sunday's virtual spot. We're told Kanye and choir were going to be in Los Angeles and record a few songs for Joel.

Kanye's choir -- which at times has more than 100 members -- were planning to wear masks and maintain appropriate social distancing positions. However, once everything was laid out, Kanye decided it just didn't feel safe enough for everyone involved, and he couldn't carry out his vision, so he decided to pull the plug.

All is certainly not lost for Joel's Easter Sunday though ... as we reported, he'll still have Mariah Carey performing "Hero" and Tyler Perry to offer words of encouragement to those who tune in to the online service.

WWE Superstar Big Show says he felt 100% safe being in the squared-circle during the coronavirus pandemic ... and tells TMZ Sports he's ready for more action!!!

Of course, the legend wrestled new WWE champ Drew McIntyre on Monday Night Raw earlier this week -- the day after McIntyre beat Brock Lesnar.

Given the current state of the world, we asked Big Show if he felt comfortable taking part in the event ... and the simple answer? Hell yes.

"Absolutely, 100%," Big Show tells us ... pointing out WWE is being extremely cautious every step of the way while still putting on a show for fans.

"I think it's a win-win for everyone."

And, when Big Show isn't wrasslin' with superstars, he tells us he's spending some of his free time helping his friend who can't go outside by taking care of the landscaping!!

"In this time of uncertainty and these stressful times, there's stuff I try to help out friends. I can cut grass, I can move tree debris up from the back of the yard."

"At least when that person is for whatever reason they have to stay in the house, they can look outside and see the yard looks good."

If that's not enough, we also talked to the new TV star about his successful sitcom, "The Big Show Show" ... and he has nothing but kind words for his castmates and the people who made it happen ... especially the fans tuning in!!

Coachella might be on pause for right now, but couchella is a close second!

Since we can't make it to Indio just yet, we're trying to keep the festival fever alive by bringing some of the desert vibes straight to you!

If you're just chillin' on the couch, transport yourself straight to the festival by taking a look through our gallery of stars in flower crowns ... See all the famous faces such as Chelsea Handler, Josephine Skriver and Jasmine Tookes rock this floral look!

The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are not being told to shelter at home, at least not in Montana, where the governor is telling kids the magical entities are free to roam around.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock just sent a super-cute letter to all the kids and families in his state ... telling them their Easter Sunday won't be ruined by COVID-19, because hiding eggs and swiping teeth are now essential services.

The way Steve sees it ... the Easter Bunny is essential because it hides Easter eggs, supports the chocolate-egg industry and brings springtime joy to Montanans.

As for the Tooth Fairy, the governor says it's an essential time for lost tooth collection and payments, with all the little ones chowing down on chocolate, Peeps and other treats.

Elves, unicorns and friendly dragons are also being deemed essential in Montana ... as long as they maintain their social distancing during essential travel. Six feet means six feet!!!

But, there's a catch ... the governor says the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy must do their jobs, which means they gotta leave behind eggs, chocolates and fair market value for teeth.

Babyface is counting his blessings on his birthday ... he says he and his family tested positive for the novel coronavirus, but now they are no longer infected with COVID-19.

The singer and mega-producer shared the health update Friday on social media ... Babyface says he and his fam tested positive for COVID-19, but now they've tested negative for the deadly virus and are on the mend.

Babyface says the entire saga was incredibly scary to go through with his family and friends ... but now he's happy to report they made it through the fire.

The timeline remains unclear, Babyface doesn't get too specific or offer many details, but he says he's ready to get back to what he does best, making music.

Babyface is the latest celeb to share a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 ... joining Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Idris Elba, Chris Cuomo, YNW Melly and others.

The people of Los Angeles County will have to remain on lockdown for at least another month ... county officials have extended an order until May 15.

L.A. County's public health director, Barbara Ferrer, made the announcement Friday during a press conference. The "Safer-at-Home" initiative has closed public beaches, most parks and hiking trails, and limits movement to essential places like the grocery store or doctor's offices.

Angelinos have seen a drastic change when out in public ... most people wear masks or some sort of face-covering device ... and social distancing signs are posted in grocery store checkout lines.

The initiative has obviously been a major hit to the restaurants and local businesses, though many have launched carry-out food programs to continue some sort of revenue stream.

The order had originally only been in place until April 19, but at the time, it was subject to extension.

Six Flags Theme Parks continues charging thousands of customers at full price, despite being closed ... so claims the angry customer who's now filed a lawsuit.

Shahriyar Rezai-Hariri is suing the SoCal-based theme park in a class-action lawsuit claiming Six Flags “made the baffling decision to keep charging all of its customers monthly membership fees while prohibiting access to Six Flags Magic Mountain” as the coronavirus spread across the world.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Rezai-Hariri says the park closed on March 13 but “unlike its competitors in the industry, [Six Flags] continued charging its thousands of customers monthly fees — at full price.” He also claims the company is able to keep charging customers "without their consent" because it has their credit and debit cards on file from when they initially bought the passes.

Rezai-Hariri is suing because he says it's unfair for Six Flags to deliberately bilk customers while its parks are closed. He's suing on behalf of all customers dealing with the continued monthly charges ... and claims damages will exceed $5 million.

It should be noted ... a rep for Six Flags told us last week it's only charging pass holders who elect to continue to pay. And, those that do will get rewarded with a free pass upgrade. Those who do not want to keep paying are instructed to reach out to the company.