Local Event Calendars: Stay Updated on What’s Happening in Your Area

Staying informed about local events is a great way to engage with your community, discover new activities, and make the most of your free time. Whether you’re looking for festivals, concerts, markets, or sports events, local event calendars are an essential resource for finding out what’s happening near you. From digital platforms to local publications, here’s how you can stay updated on local happenings and make sure you never miss out on an exciting event.

1. Eventbrite: Discover a Variety of Local Events

Best for: Finding a wide range of events, including concerts, workshops, and social gatherings

Eventbrite is one of the largest event platforms, offering a comprehensive calendar of local events in cities around the world. You can find everything from concerts and festivals to classes, workshops, and networking events. It’s also easy to filter events by date, category, and location to find exactly what interests you.

• Features:
  • Filter by Interest: Explore events in categories such as music, food and drink, arts, sports, and business.
  • Ticketing Integration: Purchase tickets directly through the platform for paid events, and sign up for free events with just a few clicks.
  • Recommendations: Get personalized event recommendations based on your location and previous interests.

Why It’s Great: Eventbrite offers a diverse range of local events, from major concerts to niche workshops, and its ticketing system makes it convenient to secure your spot for events you want to attend.

2. Meetup: Join Local Groups and Activities

Best for: Social events, hobby groups, and networking opportunities

Meetup is designed to connect people with shared interests through local group activities and events. Whether you want to join a hiking club, attend a language exchange, or meet fellow entrepreneurs, Meetup helps you discover groups that align with your interests and passions.

• Features:
  • Join Groups: Find groups in your area based on your hobbies, professional goals, or personal interests, and attend regular meetups.
  • Create Your Own Events: If you can’t find a group that suits your interests, you can create your own and host events.
  • Wide Range of Categories: Choose from a variety of categories, including fitness, technology, food, and community.

Why It’s Great: Meetup encourages community involvement by helping you connect with like-minded people, making it a perfect platform for those looking to build friendships and engage in activities regularly.

3. Facebook Events: Social Media for Local Event Discovery

Best for: Finding events based on your social network and local interests

Facebook’s event feature allows you to see what’s happening locally, from concerts and festivals to local markets and public talks. By following local venues, businesses, and community organizations, you can stay updated on the events they’re hosting or promoting. Facebook also provides event recommendations based on your interests and friends’ activities.

• Features:
  • Discover Events Nearby: Use the “Events” tab to see a list of upcoming activities in your area.
  • RSVP and Share: Easily RSVP to events and invite friends to join you.
  • Personalized Recommendations: Get suggestions for events based on your location, the pages you follow, and the events your friends are attending.

Why It’s Great: Facebook Events is ideal for staying informed about what’s happening in your network, and its wide reach means you can find events hosted by small businesses, local venues, and community organizations that may not be listed elsewhere.

4. Time Out: Curated Event Listings in Major Cities

Best for: Discovering curated lists of cultural events and things to do in major cities

Time Out is a trusted resource for event recommendations, especially in major cities around the world. From art exhibitions and food festivals to nightlife and theater performances, Time Out provides expert-curated listings of the best things to do in your city. You can also read editorial features about upcoming events and trending activities.

• Features:
  • Curated Listings: Discover editor-recommended events, ensuring you don’t miss the best of what your city has to offer.
  • Event Categories: Find events across a variety of categories, such as art, culture, nightlife, and dining.
  • Weekend Guides: Time Out regularly publishes weekend guides with top recommendations for activities and events.

Why It’s Great: Time Out is perfect for discovering high-quality events, especially if you live in or are visiting major cities like New York, London, or Tokyo. Its editorial content also adds value by highlighting trending activities.

5. Local City Websites and Tourist Boards

Best for: Comprehensive information on festivals, public events, and community activities

Many cities have official websites or tourism boards that provide detailed event calendars showcasing local happenings, from government-organized festivals and parades to public workshops and local markets. These platforms often include free or low-cost events aimed at residents and visitors alike.

• Features:
  • Citywide Events: Find information on everything from government-organized festivals to public art displays and seasonal markets.
  • Community Workshops and Classes: Explore public workshops, educational classes, and cultural activities organized by local authorities.
  • Family-Friendly Events: Many city websites offer sections specifically for family-friendly activities, such as holiday events, park outings, or children’s festivals.

Why It’s Great: City websites are excellent for finding comprehensive, family-friendly events and public happenings that may not be listed on commercial event platforms. They often cater to locals looking to explore free or low-cost activities.

6. Ticketmaster: Concerts, Sports, and Major Events

Best for: Concerts, sports events, and large-scale entertainment

Ticketmaster is a well-known platform for booking tickets to concerts, theater performances, sporting events, and other large-scale entertainment activities. It’s a great resource for staying updated on major events happening in your area, particularly if you’re interested in live music, Broadway shows, or professional sports games.

• Features:
  • Ticketing for Big Events: Purchase tickets for concerts, festivals, theater shows, and sporting events.
  • Event Alerts: Set up alerts to be notified when tickets go on sale for your favorite artists, teams, or performers.
  • VIP Packages: Access exclusive VIP packages and behind-the-scenes experiences for select events.

Why It’s Great: If you’re looking to attend major entertainment events like concerts or sports games, Ticketmaster is a reliable resource that allows you to secure tickets and stay informed about the latest performances and tours.

7. Bandsintown: Track Your Favorite Artists’ Concerts

Best for: Music lovers and live concert-goers

Bandsintown is designed for music fans who want to stay updated on concerts and live performances in their area. By following your favorite artists, Bandsintown will notify you when they are performing nearby. It also provides concert recommendations based on your location and music preferences.

• Features:
  • Artist Tracking: Follow your favorite musicians and receive notifications when they announce concerts in your area.
  • Personalized Recommendations: Get suggestions for concerts based on your music taste and location.
  • Ticketing Links: Purchase tickets directly from the app for upcoming shows.

Why It’s Great: Bandsintown is perfect for music lovers who want to stay on top of local live performances and festivals, ensuring they never miss a chance to see their favorite bands live.

8. Local Newspapers and Magazines

Best for: Discovering local cultural events and hidden gems

Many local newspapers and lifestyle magazines feature event listings for concerts, art exhibits, theater performances, and cultural festivals happening in the community. These publications often highlight lesser-known events or feature interviews with local artists and performers, giving you insider access to the local scene.

• Features:
  • Weekly Event Listings: Many local newspapers include a weekly section dedicated to upcoming events in the area.
  • Cultural Spotlights: Read about featured events, artist profiles, and recommendations for things to do over the weekend.
  • Classifieds for Events: Find smaller, community-driven events like yard sales, craft fairs, or neighborhood gatherings.

Why It’s Great: Local newspapers and magazines often feature unique, community-focused events that you won’t find on larger platforms, making them ideal for discovering hidden gems and supporting local culture.

9. Eventful: Comprehensive Event Listings Across Categories

Best for: A broad range of event categories, including concerts, family events, and festivals

Eventful provides a broad list of events across multiple categories, from music and theater to comedy, family events, and nightlife. The platform allows users to search for upcoming events by location and date, making it easy to find things to do whether you’re at home or traveling.

• Features:
  • Customizable Search: Filter events by type, date, and location to find exactly what you’re looking for.
  • Notifications: Sign up for event alerts based on your preferences, so you never miss a concert or show.
  • Local Focus: Find local festivals, cultural events, and workshops alongside major concerts and sporting events.

Why It’s Great: Eventful’s wide-ranging event listings make it an excellent all-in-one resource for discovering local activities across different interest categories.

Conclusion: Stay Connected to Local Events

With so many tools and platforms available, staying updated on local events has never been easier. From large-scale concerts and festivals to intimate workshops and community meetups, local event calendars give you the power to discover new activities and make the most of your free time. By exploring platforms like Eventbrite, Meetup, and Time Out, or checking your city’s official website, you’ll never miss out on an exciting event happening near you.