Community event ideas: 29 inspiring ways to bring people together
Got a community event in mind, but need a little inspiration to get things moving? You’re in the right place. From summer celebrations and festive fun to fundraisers, family days and creative get-togethers, we’ve rounded up 29 ideas to get your plans rolling.
Along the way, we’ll also share real events from the Ticket Tailor community, packed with clever touches you can borrow for your own plans. Let’s get planning!
How to plan a community event
Before we get to the inspirational ideas below, here’s how to get your community event off the ground:
- Build a small, reliable team: Give each person a job, like handling promotion, booking entertainment or sorting the food. Keep one person in charge of deadlines and decisions.
- Choose your goal and theme: Decide whether you’re raising money, showcasing local talent or bringing neighbours together. A theme will help shape your venue, decorations and activities.
- Find the right location: Public spaces may need council permission, while private land requires approval from the owner. Apply early if you need a road closure or other special arrangements.
- Check licences and permissions: Music, alcohol, raffles and some entertainment may come with extra rules. Speak to your venue, council or the relevant licensing body before confirming anything.
- Set up tickets or registration: Registrations help you track numbers, plan supplies and contact attendees, even when entry is free.
- Sort the food and drink: Keep the menu manageable and make sure vendors follow food safety rules.
- Plan for safety: Complete a risk assessment, inspect the venue and consider weather, capacity, first aid and insurance.
- Spread the word: Use posters, community groups and local organisations, and ask everyone involved to share the event too.
Summer community event ideas
The balmy months of summer are the perfect time to get the whole community outside, whether for street parties, sports days, or something else. ☀️
Summer street party
Time to get the sunnies on and the dancing shoes donned for a vibrant summer street party! Think: glorious reggae beats, icy cold summer cocktails, and a sea of colourful decorations as far as the eye can see.
Just make sure to communicate your plans with the street’s residents, and give them plenty of notice so they’re not taken by surprise. (Of course, most of them will undoubtedly be keen to attend your amazing summer street party 😎.)
👀See it in action
Blackpool’s Rainbow Quarter Street Party
Pride weekend, meet street party! Blackpool Rainbow Alliance brings LGBTQ+ venues, local businesses, residents and visitors together for a free two-day celebration on Lord Street. DJs warm things up before live entertainment takes over, while free wristbands help the organisers manage capacity. It’s a colourful example of how a street party can celebrate an area’s identity and give nearby businesses some love.
Big community BBQ
What could be more summer than the irresistible smell of something sizzling away on the barbeque?
Delicious food, great music, and a few cold ones – we reckon hosting a barbeque event for your community is a no-brainer.
You could make it a ‘bring your own BBQ’ thing, but to keep things less complicated you could just hire a barbeque street food caterer.
Summer games day
A summer games day can be incredibly low-key or you can up the ante and make things competitive with prizes up for grabs. From egg-and-spoon races to tennis matches, rounders and five-a-side football, there’s no shortage of high-energy antics you can organise to get the community having fun.
Be sure to put on some food and drink for those community members who are more about sitting on the sidelines with a glass of something sparkly rather than throwing themselves into the scrum.
Outdoor comedy club
Make the most of the warm summer evenings with an outdoor comedy club-style event. We’re thinking: intimate stage set against an ethereal forest backdrop, lots of twinkly fairy lights, and a trendy street food vendor selling tasty snacks and drinks.
Community marathon
Promote health and fitness in your local community with a summertime marathon, or a simple 5k run. You could even turn your event into a cause for good by linking it up with a local charity.
You’ll need to decide the course of your run or marathon, organise runner t-shirts with numbers and names, and get permission from the council and local police.
Seasonal and festive community event ideas
Pumpkins, bonfires, twinkly lights... every season brings a fresh excuse to gather the community and celebrate!
Autumn harvest festival
An autumn harvest festival is a lovely excuse to celebrate everything the season has to offer. Fill the day with local food stalls, handmade crafts, apple pressing and pumpkin decorating, then invite keen gardeners to enter their finest fruit and veg into a friendly competition.
Add some live folk music and a few warming treats, and you’ve got a cosy event for all ages! 🎸
Community pumpkin trail
Turn your neighbourhood into a pumpkin-packed adventure by asking residents and local businesses to display their spookiest creations. Plot them on a simple map and invite families to follow the trail and vote for their favourite.
You could add prizes for the funniest, scariest and most creative pumpkins, plus a hot chocolate stop for chilly little explorers!
👀See it in action
Bolton Abbey Pumpkin Trail
Into the woods we go! Bolton Abbey’s Pumpkin Trail sends families through giant spooky gates and into Strid Wood, where oversized pumpkins and mystery boxes hold the clues to a puzzle. Visitors pick up a trail sheet before setting off, and the route welcomes pushchairs, wheelchairs and dogs on leads. A storyline and some problem-solving turn an autumn walk into a proper adventure.
Bonfire Night food festival
Cold November evenings call for hot food, glowing lights and heaps of marshmallows. Invite local street food traders to serve Bonfire Night favourites, from loaded baked potatoes to steaming cups of hot chocolate.
Round things off with a fire performer or illuminated show 😎. You could also add picnic benches, blankets and music to keep the atmosphere lively.
Community Christmas market
Who doesn’t love a Christmas market?! 🎄Putting on a properly traditional, festive event like this is a lovely way to support local businesses and get everyone into the holiday spirit.
Fill the space with handmade gifts and seasonal food and bring the event to life with a choir or acoustic musicians. You could even add a Santa’s grotto or children’s craft table, giving families another reason to stay and soak up the atmosphere.
👀See it in action
Stubton Hall Christmas Market
Cosy fires at a Christmas market? Yes please. Stubton Hall’s festive event pairs artisan stalls and handcrafted gifts with seasonal food and entertainment, all within the venue’s gorgeous surroundings. Entry is ticketed, with free admission for very young children. The organiser also encourages car sharing because parking is limited, which is a handy planning touch for markets held outside town centres.
Festive lights display
Light up a favourite local venue after dark with a magical festive trail for families to explore. Think dazzling installations, glowing pathways, interactive displays and ample stops for photos, hot chocolate and Christmas treats. Farms, gardens and heritage sites all make great settings, especially when visitors can enjoy extra attractions as part of the evening.
👀 See it in action
Light Post Farm
Now this is how you make a farm sparkle! ✨ Light Post Farm sends visitors along a 1km illuminated Christmas trail filled with colourful installations and photo-worthy moments. The evening also includes the farm’s reptile exhibit, indoor play and seasonal treats. Dog-friendly nights come with water stations and treat stops, giving four-legged family members a proper share of the festive fun.
Festive wreath-making workshop
Get everyone feeling crafty with a festive wreath-making workshop. Ask a local florist or experienced maker to lead the session; they should be able to provide the foliage, ribbon and seasonal decorations. Guests can enjoy a hot drink and a mince pie while they work, before heading home with a handmade wreath to hang proudly on the front door.
Community carol concert
Bring the whole community together for a good old-fashioned carol concert 🎶 Invite local choirs, school groups and musicians to fill the programme with festive favourites, and keep everyone cosy with mulled drinks, mince pies and hot chocolate.
Selling tickets or collecting donations on the night can also help raise money for a local charity or community project.
Community event ideas for kids and families
Keep the kids entertained and give families a fun day out with these playful community event ideas.
Treasure hunt picnic
A great one for the kids, treasure hunts offer hours of endless entertainment and are the perfect activity for balmy summer days. Choose a picturesque spot for your event, and put on a picnic-style lunch to make a day of it.
Make sure you consider safety measures for kids – like ensuring there are enough adults to supervise the treasure hunt.
Local talent music festival
When you start to do some digging, we’re sure you’ll be amazed at how much local musical talent is in your area, just waiting for the chance to perform.
Putting on a small music event is super easy and so much fun, plus it helps to promote the up-and-coming artists in your area.
You’ll need a decent sound system to amplify the music, and you might need a licence if you plan on having live music after 11pm.
👀See it in action
Musicport Festival
Musicport shows how far a festival can travel with a distinctive theme. The Whitby event celebrates world music and culture, with workshops and family activities running alongside the performances. Its programme travels across countries, genres and traditions, with playful roaming entertainment adding to the fun. Smaller festivals can borrow that joyful variety while keeping the stage local.
Teddy bears’ picnic
Grab the picnic blankets and invite little ones to bring their favourite teddy along for a fun-filled afternoon! 🧸
Pack the day with storytelling and simple games, not forgetting picnic boxes full of tasty treats. A best-dressed teddy competition adds another splash of excitement, with prizes for the fanciest, funniest or most colourful bear in the bunch. Too sweet!
Children’s craft fair
Turn your local hall into a buzzing hub of paints, pom-poms and creative chaos with a children’s craft fair.
Invite local artists and volunteers to run simple activities, and give budding makers their own stalls to show off their artwork.
Add a gallery wall and craft-themed prizes to keep things interesting. We’re thinking a few snack stations might go down well with busy little makers too!
Community event ideas for older people
From afternoon tea to a whirl around the dance floor, these events make getting together something to look forward to.
Community gardening day
Why not organise a meet-up at the local allotment to kick off a local gardening project? There’s bound to be plenty of green-fingered garden enthusiasts in your community, and you’ll be able to keep in touch with your new-found connections as you watch your community garden grow.
Community afternoon tea
Put the kettle on and bring the community together for a cheerful afternoon of tea, cake and good company. ☕
Fill the tables with afternoon tea classics (finger sandwiches, scones, homemade bakes; you know the drill). Liven things up with a light-hearted quiz to help get everyone chatting and laughing.
Games and social club
Host a relaxed drop-in where older residents can settle in with a card game or spend some time on a jigsaw. Keep the atmosphere easy-going and ask a few volunteers to welcome anyone coming along alone.
Who knows, a successful first event might just grow into a regular date in the community calendar. 😌
Era-themed music and dance evening
Sweep guests back to the good old days with an evening of much-loved tunes and lashings of nostalgia. Pick an era and deck your venue out accordingly, and hire a local tribute group to bring the event to life.
Whether you opt for ballroom glamour or ‘70s glam rock, we’re sure attendees will love connecting (and reminiscing) over times gone by.
👀 See it in action
Vintage Spotlight Dance Weekend
All aboard the time machine! Vintage Spotlight’s dance weekend fills the Midland Hotel’s Victorian ballrooms with swing bands, DJs and dance classes. Different sessions invite guests to dress in vintage styles, while a clothing rail adds to the fun. The historic hotel does a lot of the atmospheric heavy lifting; the perfect example of matching your theme to your venue!
Charity and fundraising community event ideas
Ready to raise some cash for a good cause? These events make fundraising feel like a proper community occasion. 🙏
Community nature walk
If there’s a local beauty trail in your area, why not get everyone together for a community walk?
Spending time out in nature is a great way to bond with others, and can be organised with minimal effort!
Make sure to set a clear meet time and location, and give a bit of leeway for late arrivals.
And it might be a good idea to provide something that your group can be identified with, like colourful name badges, so it’s clear who’s on the community walk and who’s just a passer-by.
Travel-themed bake sale
Instead of the usual bake sale, why not run a travel-themed event where everyone brings traditional baked goods from countries around the world?
Adding this summery twist makes things that bit more interesting, and you can even come up with a cool around-the-world playlist to add to the travel vibes.
On a practical note, make sure to have clear signage telling people they must make food sellers aware of any allergies.
Community quiz night
Get those thinking caps on for an energetic community quiz night! Charge a small entry fee per team and mix general knowledge with a round all about your local area. Ask nearby businesses to donate prizes, and throw in a raffle to boost the fundraising pot.
Ask nearby businesses to donate prizes, and throw in a raffle to boost the fundraising pot. A few playful questions about familiar landmarks or well-known characters should get the competition heating up nicely. 😉
👀 See it in action
Pizza and Pub Quiz by &Community
Pizza, cocktails and a pub quiz? That’ll do nicely. &Community’s Newcastle event welcomes people arriving with friends as well as anyone coming solo, and leaves time for a social after the final question. The host venue handles the food and drink, freeing the organiser to focus on creating a friendly room. Add an entry fee or raffle and the format could slot neatly into a fundraiser.
Charity auction
Going once, going twice... sold! A charity auction is an excellent way to drum up funds while giving local businesses a chance to get involved.
Ask them to donate products, vouchers or experiences, and let guests battle it out for their favourites. You can run the bidding live for extra theatre, or use a silent auction if you’d prefer something a little more relaxed.
Community jumble sale
Someone else’s forgotten treasure could be just the thing your next visitor has been hunting for. Gather donated toys, clothes, books and homeware, price everything up, and let the community loose on the stalls.
Sometimes the simplest of fundraisers are the best, especially when local volunteers pitch in and every purchase helps support a cause close to home.
Cultural and creative community event ideas
Celebrate the talent, stories and traditions in your local area with events that put community creativity centre stage.
Cultural food festival
Take everyone’s taste buds on a round-the-world trip without leaving the local area 😎. Ask community members to cook dishes from their culture and share the traditions connected to them.
If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could incorporate live demonstrations to give visitors a closer look at how everything is made. And, of course, sounds from around the globe are a must, whether by way of live musicians or a banging playlist.
Local history and storytelling evening
Every street has a few good stories tucked away. Bring residents together to share old photographs and personal memories, with a local historian helping to fill in the gaps.
You might uncover forgotten characters, long-lost traditions or tales that deserve to be heard again. Capture the evening on audio or video, and you’ll have the beginnings of a brilliant local archive.
Local makers’ market
Bunting up, stalls out, let the browsing begin!
A local makers’ market is a brilliant way to showcase the creative talent right on your doorstep. Invite artists, bakers and independent sellers to bring along their wares, and give visitors plenty of time to browse.
Add a coffee stand and some live acoustic music to keep the market feeling lively throughout the day.
Community theatre performance
Got a few budding actors hiding in your community? Put out an open casting call and bring everyone together for a local theatre production.
Some people will fancy a starring role, while others may prefer helping behind the scenes. Pick a familiar play or musical and prepare for lots of proud faces when the curtain finally rises. 😌
Simple, low-cost ticketing for your community event
The bunting’s ready. The local choir is booked. Now you just need to fill the place!
Ticket Tailor helps community organisers take registrations, sell tickets and manage attendees without losing a hefty chunk of their budget to fees. We offer the lowest ticketing fees on the market, free ticketing for free events and 50% off our fees for registered charities. 😌
You’ll have loads of useful features at your fingertips, including recurring events, custom ticket types and a free check-in app. Come and join an independent ticketing platform that’s built around event creators.