Key Takeaways
- There are several free Eventbrite alternatives that help you find exciting local events, from community gatherings to outdoor activities.
- Some platforms focus on curated experiences, while others rely on AI to personalize event recommendations based on your interests.
- Whether you’re looking for concerts, workshops, or hidden gems in your city, these alternatives can help you explore your area without spending a dime.
Eventbrite is one of the most popular event discovery platforms, but it’s not always the best option—especially if you’re looking for free events. Many listings require paid tickets, and the platform often prioritizes large-scale or commercial events over smaller community gatherings. Fortunately, there are several great alternatives that can help you find exciting things to do near you without breaking the bank. From AI-powered event planners to user-curated community calendars, these tools offer unique ways to discover local experiences.
If you’re ready to explore your city in a new way, here are five Eventbrite alternatives you NEED to check out.
1. PlanMyWeekend.ai
PlanMyWeekend.ai is an AI-powered event discovery tool that curates weekend plans based on your interests, budget, and location.
Pros of PlanMyWeekend.ai
✔ Personalized recommendations – The AI tailors suggestions to your favorite activities, whether it’s outdoor adventures, food festivals, or local markets.
✔ Focuses on free activities – The platform prioritizes budget-friendly and free things to do.
✔ Local insights – Unlike Eventbrite, which often showcases major events, this tool highlights lesser-known experiences.
✔ User-friendly interface – The clean, intuitive design makes it easy to browse and adjust your weekend plans.
✔ Real-time updates – It syncs with local event listings and provides weather updates to refine recommendations.
Cons of PlanMyWeekend.ai
✖ Limited to weekend planning – It’s perfect for Saturday and Sunday plans but not as useful for weekday events.
✖ No direct ticketing – If an event does require registration, you’ll need to sign up through an external site.
✖ Lack of social integration – No built-in feature to see where friends are going or invite others directly.
✖ Not available in all cities – Smaller towns may have fewer recommendations compared to major metro areas.
✖ Premium features locked behind a paywall – While the free version is great, some advanced filters and personalized itineraries require a subscription.
2. Meetup
Meetup is a well-established platform that connects people through shared interests and local gatherings.
Pros of Meetup
✔ Community-driven – Events are created by users, making it a great place to find niche gatherings.
✔ Wide variety of activities – From hiking groups to business networking events, there’s something for everyone.
✔ Free and paid options – While some events require a fee, many are completely free.
✔ Easy to join groups – You can follow specific interest groups and get notified of upcoming activities.
✔ Great for meeting new people – Ideal for socializing, networking, and finding local communities.
Cons of Meetup
✖ Not all events are free – Some groups charge membership fees or event costs.
✖ Limited one-time events – It’s best for recurring meetups rather than standalone events.
✖ Organizer fees – If you want to create your own events, you may need to pay a subscription.
✖ Hit-or-miss attendance – Many events have inconsistent turnout, and RSVPs don’t always reflect who will actually show up.
✖ Interface can feel outdated – The app and website design are not as sleek as newer platforms.
3. AllEvents.in
AllEvents.in is a global event discovery platform that aggregates events from various sources.
Pros of AllEvents.in
✔ Comprehensive event listings – Includes concerts, festivals, classes, and workshops.
✔ Strong local coverage – Pulls in community-driven events alongside larger ones.
✔ Customizable search filters – You can filter by date, price, location, and category.
✔ Mobile-friendly experience – The app is easy to navigate and well-optimized.
✔ Email alerts for personalized recommendations – Get notified about events that match your interests.
Cons of AllEvents.in
✖ Not all events are free – You’ll need to filter specifically for free activities.
✖ Less curated than AI-powered alternatives – Some listings may be outdated or duplicate.
✖ No direct booking system – For ticketed events, you’re redirected to external sites.
✖ Not as social-focused – Unlike Meetup, it’s harder to see who else is attending.
✖ Some cities have fewer listings – The platform is stronger in major metro areas than in rural towns.
4. Facebook Events
Facebook Events is a powerful and often-overlooked way to find free activities in your area.
Pros of Facebook Events
✔ Massive event database – Since almost every business and community group is on Facebook, there’s no shortage of events.
✔ Personalized recommendations – Events are suggested based on your location, interests, and friends’ activity.
✔ Great for local events – Community markets, open mic nights, and volunteer opportunities are frequently listed.
✔ Easy to RSVP – You can mark yourself as “Interested” or “Going” and get reminders.
✔ Social proof – See how many people are attending and read comments before committing.
Cons of Facebook Events
✖ Cluttered interface – Can be overwhelming to sort through all the events.
✖ Privacy concerns – Facebook tracks your activity and interactions.
✖ Harder to find niche events – While great for mainstream happenings, smaller or unique gatherings might be harder to locate.
✖ Not all events are legitimate – Some listings are outdated or promotional.
✖ Requires a Facebook account – If you don’t use Facebook, you won’t have access to the platform’s event discovery features.
5. Eventful
Eventful is a long-standing event discovery platform that focuses on concerts, festivals, and entertainment.
Pros of Eventful
✔ Strong music and entertainment focus – Great for finding concerts, comedy shows, and nightlife events.
✔ “Demand It” feature – Users can request specific artists or events to come to their city.
✔ Local event coverage – Includes community events alongside major festivals.
✔ Email alerts – Get notifications about events that match your preferences.
✔ Comprehensive listings – Covers a wide range of activities, including sports and theater.
Cons of Eventful
✖ Not all events are free – Many concerts and shows require tickets.
✖ Less social interaction – No built-in feature for networking or seeing who else is attending.
✖ Some listings are outdated – Occasionally features old or canceled events.
✖ More commercial than community-driven – Heavy focus on mainstream entertainment.
✖ Lacks AI personalization – Unlike some alternatives, it doesn’t learn from your interests over time.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for free things to do in your area, these Eventbrite alternatives offer fantastic ways to discover local events. Whether you prefer AI-driven recommendations, community-organized meetups, or mainstream event listings, there’s a platform that fits your needs. The best part? Most of these tools focus on free activities, making it easier to explore your city without spending a fortune. Give one (or more) of these platforms a try and start making the most of your free time!
Author: Dejon Brooks
Dejon Brooks is an entrepreneur who founded Trend Watchers with his life savings. Aged 24, Dejon has turned Trend Watchers into a successful business. After reaching over 150M+ people on his personal accounts, he now spends his time growing Planmyweekend.ai