When managing events on your WordPress website, a quality calendar plugin is essential. From booking systems and scheduling to simple reminders, the right calendar plugin can enhance your site’s functionality and keep your visitors informed.
In this guide, we’ll review the best WordPress calendar plugins that cater to various needs, including event organization, Google Calendar integration, and custom styling. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which plugin best fits your requirements.
Table of Contents
What to Look for in a WordPress Calendar Plugin
Not all calendar plugins are created equal. Before diving into individual options, here are some key factors to consider:
- Pricing: Does it offer a free version, or are most features locked behind a paywall?
- Ease of Use: How beginner-friendly is the plugin?
- Customizability: Does it offer styling options or custom fields?
- Event Management: Can you add recurring events, bookings, or RSVPs?
- Integration: Does it sync with Google Calendar or other tools?
Explore the Best WordPress Calendar Plugins
By now, you are familiar with the mandatory factors to consider when selecting a calendar plugin. In this section, we’ll introduce you to some of the top WordPress calendar plugins that meet all these requirements. Keep reading!
Plugin #1: The Events Calendar
Widely recognized as the number one WordPress events calendar, The Events Calendar by Modern Tribe boasts over 800,000 active installations, making it a top choice for event organizers. Known for its flexibility and extensive feature set, this plugin serves a wide range of users—from small business owners to large organizations.
Key Features
The free version of The Events Calendar includes all the basics you need for effective event management:
- User-Friendly Event Creation: Intuitive interface allows you to easily create and manage events.
- Calendar Views: Choose from month, list, or day views to display events.
- Event Categorization: Organize events using categories and tags.
- Customizable Design: Style options that allow seamless blending with your site’s theme.
- Mobile Responsiveness: A layout that adapts beautifully across all devices.
- App Integrations: Syncs with popular calendar apps like Google Calendar and Apple Calendar.
- Calendar Block: Add a calendar to any page or post using WordPress blocks.
The Pro version offers even more functionality for those with complex scheduling needs:
- Recurring Events: Easily set up weekly, monthly, or custom recurring events.
- Additional Calendar Views: Access Map and Week views are available for added flexibility.
- Embed Block: Place customizable calendars anywhere blocks are used in WordPress.
- Shortcodes and Elementor Widgets: Enhanced integration options, including Elementor.
- Premium Support: Dedicated support for Pro users.
Advanced Integrations
Beyond the core calendar, The Events Calendar offers additional tools to extend its functionality:
- Event Tickets: Add ticketing and RSVP capabilities to your events.
- Promoter: Integrate with your email marketing to keep attendees engaged.
- Seating: Create interactive seat maps for ticketed events.
- Event Aggregator: Import events from other platforms effortlessly.
Pros & Cons of The Events Calendar Plugin
- Pros: Robust feature set, highly customizable, flexible for small and large-scale events.
- Cons: Advanced features are accessible only with premium add-ons.
Ease of Use
Designed with user-friendliness in mind, the setup is simple for beginners, and the interface is easy to navigate.
Pricing
The free version offers a solid foundation, while the Pro version starts at $149 per year, offering additional features for growing needs.
Who It’s Best For
The Events Calendar is ideal for anyone who needs a scalable, powerful event management solution—from small business owners to large venues hosting multi-day conferences.
User Reviews & Ratings
- 5-Star: Loved for its ease of use and feature-rich capabilities.
r4d8
- 1-Star: Some users find premium add-ons essential, which can raise the total cost.
joax
Plugin #2: Events Manager
Events Manager is a feature-packed and user-friendly WordPress calendar plugin that caters to a wide range of event management needs. Whether you’re organizing simple meetups or complex multi-day conferences, Events Manager provides the tools necessary to handle everything from event creation to ticket sales seamlessly. With a strong focus on flexibility and functionality, it stands out as one of the best event calendar WordPress plugins available.
Key Features
Events Manager offers a comprehensive set of features, even in its free version:
- Recurring and Multi-Day Events: Easily create events that repeat weekly, monthly, or follow custom schedules, as well as events that span multiple days.
- Guest and Member Event Submissions: Allow both guests and registered members to submit events, turning your site into a community-driven event hub.
- Custom Event Attributes: Add unique details to your events, such as dress codes or equipment requirements, to provide more information to your attendees.
- Multisite Support: Perfect for WordPress multisite installations, enabling you to manage events across multiple sites from a single dashboard.
- BuddyPress Integration: Seamlessly integrates with BuddyPress, enhancing community interactions around your events.
- Add to Apple or Google Calendar Buttons: Make it easy for users to add events to their personal calendars with just a click.
- Built-In Booking Functionality: Manage registrations and ticket sales directly within the plugin, eliminating the need for additional booking systems.
Pros & Cons of Events Manager Plugin
- Pros:
- Extensive booking and registration features are included in the free version.
- It is highly customizable, with numerous event attributes and submission options.
- Supports multisite installations and integrates well with BuddyPress for community features.
- Offers a wide range of integrations, including Google Maps and Zoom.
- Robust management tools, including waitlists, QR scanning, and automated notifications in the Pro version.
- Cons:
- The default styling is basic, requiring some customization to match your site’s design.
- The free version does not support adding event organizers, limiting advanced event management.
- Advanced features and integrations are only available in the premium Pro add-on.
Ease of Use
Events Manager is designed to be user-friendly, allowing beginners to set up and manage events with ease. The intuitive interface simplifies event creation and registration management. However, fully utilizing its advanced features may require a bit more time and familiarity with WordPress.
Pricing
The core Events Manager plugin is free and offers a solid foundation for event management. For those needing more advanced features, the Pro add-on is available starting at $89 per year for a single site. The Pro version unlocks additional functionalities such as WooCommerce integration, custom booking forms, and premium support.
Who It’s Best For
Events Manager is ideal for a variety of users, including:
- Conference Organizers: Manage multi-day events with ease, handling registrations and ticket sales efficiently.
- Event Venues: Streamline event listings and bookings for different spaces within your venue.
- Community Groups: Enable members to submit and manage their own events, fostering a community-driven event platform.
- Small to Medium Businesses: Perfect for businesses hosting workshops, seminars, or regular meetups that require robust booking and management tools.
User Reviews & Ratings
- 5-Star: Users appreciate the extensive booking features available in the free version, the flexibility of custom event attributes, and the seamless integration with other tools like BuddyPress and Google Calendar.
Otavio Fonseca
- 1-Star: Some users find the default styling too basic and require additional customization. Others mention that advanced features necessitate purchasing the Pro add-on, which increases the overall cost.
tommy83
Plugin #3: Timely All-in-One Events Calendar
The Timely All-in-One Events Calendar is a popular, free event calendar plugin trusted by over 150,000 event creators worldwide, including major organizations like UPS, AT&T, Adobe, Harvard University, and Stanford University. Known for its attractive and intuitive UI/UX, the plugin allows users to seamlessly create, manage, and share events for in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats—all without needing coding or design skills.
Built with advanced technology, Timely combines a modern, visually appealing design with a robust feature set. Key capabilities include built-in RSVP and ticketing functions that enable event organizers to manage registrations and sell tickets directly from the calendar. Additionally, Timely’s responsive, accessible design ensures it looks great on any device and meets web accessibility standards.
Whether you’re a freelancer, solo entrepreneur, or part of a larger organization, Timely’s All-in-One Events Calendar is a versatile tool that scales with your event management needs. For those who need advanced enterprise-level tools, Timely also offers premium plans with added features for sophisticated event management.
Key Features:
Easily create, manage, and share beautiful, customizable events with built-in RSVP and ticketing options—all in one responsive, accessible calendar.
- Customizable Calendar Themes: Several themes to choose from, with options to match branding.
- Multiple Calendar Views: Offers month, week, day, and agenda views, with additional options in premium plans.
- Recurring Events & Complex Patterns: Set events for single or multiple days with customizable recurring patterns.
- Event Import Options: Allows event import via CSV or ICS files and various other formats on premium plans.
- Mobile-Friendly Design: Fully responsive, ensuring a smooth experience on all devices.
Pros & Cons of Timely All-in-One Events Calendar Plugin
Pros:
- Ideal for in-person, virtual, or hybrid events.
- Allows for easy event duplication and timezone display adjustments.
- Supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience.
- The subscription feature allows your visitors to keep up with events.
Cons:
- The wide range of import options can be somewhat overwhelming for beginners, requiring time to master.
- Free users have access only to self-service documentation and community forum support; live support is reserved for paid plans.
- You have to book a meeting to learn the price of the product.
Pricing:
While many features are available for free, advanced functionalities—such as more calendar views, extensive import options, and social media integrations—require upgrading to a premium plan. They have a custom pricing model. But they have common charges for rsvp/ticket for 2.5% + US$ 0.90 (charges based on usage – ticket buyer pays fees unless you choose to cover them)
Who It’s Best For:
Timely All-in-One Events Calendar is ideal for a variety of users, including:
- Ideal for organizations and communities needing a central hub for events, like tourism boards and community groups.
- Perfect for businesses that host recurring events, from workshops to multi-day conferences.
- Supports RSVP tracking and ticket sales directly from the calendar.
- Suitable for users looking for a feature-rich, resource-friendly event calendar solution.
- Great choice for those seeking a customizable, mobile-responsive, and accessible event management tool.
User Reviews & Ratings:
Timely All-in-One Events Calendar has generally positive user reviews, with users praising its design and comprehensive feature set. Some users mention a learning curve with advanced features, especially the import function. However, most agree it’s a solid tool for managing complex event schedules and providing a streamlined user experience.
- 5 Star Rating
Emto
- 1 Star Rating
deffler
Plugin #4: EventON
EventON is a visually striking event calendar plugin that focuses on modern design and functionality. Known for its eye-catching layouts and customization options, it’s an ideal choice for users prioritizing visual branding. The plugin is perfect for businesses or organizations looking for a sleek and dynamic event calendar, such as art galleries, fashion brands, or restaurants.
Key Features
- Support for single, multi-day, and recurring events
- Multiple calendar display layouts and themes
- Featured event and location manager
- Event search and filtering options
- Integration with Zoom, PayPal, and WooCommerce
- Multiple event organizers and advanced RSVP features
- Mobile-responsive and supports AJAX for smooth transitions
- Event-specific custom fields, interactive repeat event setup, and timezone management
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highly customizable with stylish themes and layouts
- Ideal for showcasing events visually
- Integrates with popular platforms like WooCommerce and Zoom
Cons
- No free version is available
- Pricing can add up with multiple add-ons
Ease of Use
EventON is designed to be user-friendly, with a drag-and-drop interface and a shortcode generator for simple calendar setup. The plugin is also compatible with both Elementor and Gutenberg, making it easy to add to WordPress sites without technical expertise.
Pricing
- Basic license starts at $19
- Additional features and add-ons are available at an extra cost
Who It’s Best For
EventON is ideal for organizations and businesses focused on visual presentation and event branding, including art galleries, fashion brands, community organizations, and restaurants. It’s also well-suited for users who need flexible options for event scheduling and advanced RSVP and ticketing capabilities.
User Reviews & Ratings
- 5-Star Review:
Jcgaete
- 1-Star Review:
tkcllc2013
Plugin #5: My Calendar
My Calendar is a highly customizable and accessible WordPress plugin that caters to event management needs with flexibility and control, especially suitable for multisite setups. Its robust feature set and strong accessibility options make it ideal for developers and site owners who need an adaptable, versatile event calendar. My Calendar’s support for multisite, recurring events, and customization options allows users to design and manage their event calendars effectively across various WordPress sites.
Key Features
- Multiple Calendar Views: Choose between month, week, day, or custom views, with options for mini-calendar displays via widgets or shortcodes.
- Recurring Events: Set events on a regular schedule and adjust single dates in a series of recurring events.
- Location Manager: Easily organize and save event venues and locations.
- User-Submitted Events: Visitors can submit events directly to your calendar with front-end editing options for logged-in users.
- Multisite Support: Manage events across multiple WordPress sites, ideal for organizations with multisite setups.
- Advanced Filtering: Filter by categories, location, author, or host to create tailored calendar views.
- Accessibility Features: Built-in support for assistive technology, ensuring ADA compliance and an accessible experience for all users.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Extensive customization and control over calendar appearance and functionality.
- Multisite support is ideal for complex site networks.
- Strong focus on accessibility, making it a great choice for sites needing ADA compliance.
- Recurring events and customizable templates for diverse use cases.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve due to the extensive settings and customization options.
- Lacks some advanced premium features like ticketing and analytics in the core plugin.
Ease of Use
My Calendar’s flexibility offers users extensive control over their calendar’s design and functionality. However, the large number of options may be overwhelming for beginners. While setup and customization require some familiarity with WordPress, the plugin offers rich documentation and an integrated help page, making it accessible to more advanced users.
Pricing
The basic version of My Calendar is free and includes many essential features for event management. For additional functionality, My Calendar Pro is available starting at $69 per year, covering three site licenses. Pro features include user-submitted events, custom fields, multisite sharing, and external event imports.
Who It’s Best For
My Calendar is best suited for:
- Users who require a high degree of customization and control over event calendars.
- Sites with accessibility requirements, as My Calendar is built with ADA compliance in mind.
- WordPress multisite environments, such as universities or large organizations, that need centralized or localized event management across multiple sites.
User Reviews & Ratings
5-Star Review:
Mba4639
1-Star Review:
Gardner25
Comparison Table on the Best WordPress Calendar Plugins
Quickly compare the top WordPress calendar plugins to find the best fit for your event management needs.
| Feature | Plugin #1 The Events Calendar | Plugin #2 Events Manager | Plugin #3 Timely All-in-One Event Calendar | Plugin #4 EventON | Plugin #5 My Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Popular, full-featured plugin for event management; suitable for both beginners and advanced users. | Flexible event manager with bookings functionality, well-suited for various event types. | Visually appealing calendar with unique features like themes and external calendar imports. | Visual-focused event plugin with beautiful design options; great for stylish event displays. | Highly customizable and accessible plugin; great for multisite environments and flexible setups. |
| Calendar Views | Month, list, day, and more in Pro. | Monthly, daily, and list views | Month, week, day views with customizable themes. | Tiles, lists, and calendar grid options. | Month, multi-month, week, day, mini-calendar views. |
| Recurring Events | Available in Pro | Yes, with booking management | Supported in free and Pro versions | Available in Pro | Yes, includes single date editing for recurring events. |
| Event Import | Import via CSV, Google Calendar sync in Pro. | Imports events via CSV, iCal, and external feeds. | Imports from external calendars and iCal feeds. | Import from Google Calendar in Pro. | Import via .ics or .csv in Pro. |
| User-Submitted Events | Available in Community Events add-on | Supported, with front-end event submissions | Limited options | Limited options | Available in Pro with front-end editing for logged-in users. |
| Multisite Support | Limited | Fully supported | Limited | Not supported | Fully supported |
| Customization Options | Moderate; more options in Pro | Extensive, includes booking forms and custom fields | Extensive customization with themes and display options. | Extensive visual options | Extensive; includes templating and extensive display options. |
| Accessibility | Moderate | Accessibility features included | Moderate accessibility options | Basic | Strong focus on ADA compliance, designed with accessibility in mind. |
| Pricing | Free & Pro Starts at $149/year per site | Free & Pro Starts at $89/year for a single site | Free, Pro pricing is customized based on user query | No Free plan & Pro starts at $19/year | Free, Pro Starts at $69/year for 3 site licenses |
| Best For | Comprehensive event management for small to large sites needing extra features like ticketing and advanced filtering. | Users needing event booking, registration, and customizable forms. | Users who need visual flexibility and multiple calendar integrations. | Sites that want visually appealing event displays, with basic event management functionality. | Users with multisite setups or complex event management needs, particularly those with accessibility requirements. |
| User Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars. | 4 out of 5 stars. | 4 out of 5 stars. | 4.37 out of 5 stars. | 4.7 out of 5 stars |
| Visit here → | Download | Download | Download | Purchase | Download |
Bonus: HappyAddons Event Calendar Widget
The HappyAddons Event Calendar Widget is a versatile tool designed for WordPress users to easily integrate and display calendars on their web pages. With three types of calendars—Manual, Google, and Events Calendar—it offers significant flexibility for event management. This widget is user-friendly and integrates seamlessly with Elementor, making it ideal for users who want to showcase their events with style and ease.
Key Features
- Three types of calendars: Manual Calendar, Google Calendar, and Events Calendar.
- Manual Calendar: Customize events individually with options like title, author name, location, image, start & end dates.
- Google Calendar Integration: Fetch and display events by adding an API key and Calendar ID.
- Event Customization: Style individual events, top bars, event popups, and more.
- Event Popups: Customize the popup window with options for resizing, padding, margins, and borders.
- Advanced Customization: Supports font size, colors, background, border, and hover effects for various calendar sections.
- Elementor Integration: Supports advanced Elementor options like motion effects and happy effects for enhanced interactivity.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Easy to use with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Multiple calendar types for varied needs.
- Deep customization options to match your site’s design.
- Google Calendar integration for automatic event syncing.
- Event popups for enhanced user interaction.
Cons:
- Requires some technical setup for Google Calendar integration (API key & Calendar ID).
- Might require additional styling for advanced customization to fully match your site’s theme.
- Limited functionality without Elementor (some advanced features may not be available).
Ease of Use
The HappyAddons Event Calendar Widget is relatively easy to use, especially with its drag-and-drop functionality in Elementor. While setting up the Google Calendar may require some technical steps (API key & Calendar ID), once done, it’s easy to manage and display events. The interface is intuitive, but the customization options can be overwhelming for new users due to the variety of settings available.
Pricing
The HappyAddons Event Calendar Widget is available as part of the HappyAddons Pro plugin, which starts at $49 per year. It is included with the premium subscription, offering full access to all features and widgets.
Who It’s Best For
- WordPress site owners using Elementor who want an easy-to-use, customizable event calendar.
- Users needing multiple calendar options (Manual, Google, and Events Calendar).
- Developers or site owners who need advanced customization and style control for event displays.
- Anyone looking to integrate Google Calendar into their WordPress site for automatic event syncing.
The HappyAddons Event Calendar Widget is an excellent option for Elementor users looking to easily display events on their WordPress sites. With multiple calendar options, powerful customization tools, and Google Calendar integration, it offers a robust solution for event management. Though it requires some technical setup for Google Calendar syncing, the widget’s flexibility and ease of use make it a worthwhile choice for many users.
FAQs on Best WordPress Calendar Plugins
Q: Which calendar plugin is best for Google Calendar integration?
A: All-in-One Event Calendar and The Events Calendar both provide reliable Google Calendar syncing.
Q: Are these plugins compatible with page builders?
A: HappyAddons Event Calendar Widget is specifically designed for Elementor. Most plugins also work well with popular page builders.
Q: Do I need a paid version for booking features?
A: Yes, most plugins require a premium version or add-on for booking support.
Q: Are these plugins responsive?
A: Yes, all listed plugins provide responsive designs suitable for mobile devices.
Final Thoughts – Which Plugin is Right for You?
Choosing the best WordPress calendar plugin depends on your needs. If you want a free, highly customizable plugin, My Calendar is worth considering. For those needing Google Calendar integration, The Events Calendar and All-in-One Event Calendar are top picks. And for Elementor users, the HappyAddons Event Calendar Widget provides a simple, quick solution for displaying events.
Each plugin in this list serves different needs, so review the features and decide which will work best on your WordPress site.
