How to Create a Public Event on Facebook

Setting up a public event on Facebook is one of the quickest ways to reach a massive, built-in audience without spending a dime. It's more than just a digital flyer, it's an interactive hub where you can build hype, share updates, and communicate directly with attendees. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, for both desktop and mobile, and then give you actionable strategies to make sure people actually show up.

First, Why Even Bother with Facebook Events?

In a world of constant digital noise, Facebook Events slice through the clutter for a few simple reasons. First, the reach is enormous. With billions of users, your event can be discovered by people in your area actively looking for things to do. The platform's built-in RSVP system ("Interested" or "Going") gives you a real-time headcount and a direct line of communication, as anyone who responds automatically gets your updates.

Second, it's designed for sharing. Attendees can invite their friends, co-hosts can cross-promote to their followers, and the event can be shared in groups and messages with a single click, creating an organic groundswell of interest. It's a powerful tool for community building, whether you're launching a product, hosting a webinar, organizing a local market, or planning a workshop.

How to Create a Public Facebook Event (Desktop Guide)

Creating your event on a desktop computer gives you the most control and the easiest interface for typing out descriptions and uploading high-quality images. Here's how to do it from your Facebook Page or personal profile.

1. Find the "Create Event" Button

There are multiple ways to get started. You can:

• Go directly to facebook.com/events/create.
• Navigate to your Facebook Page, look for the "Events" tab on the left-hand menu, and click "Create event."
• From your news feed, click the nine-dot "Menu" icon on the top right, then select "Event" under the "Create" section.

2. Choose Your Event Type: Online or In Person

Facebook will ask you for this choice upfront. Your decision here changes the next set of options.

• In Person: This is for a physical gathering. You'll need to provide a specific address or venue name, which Facebook will link to a map to help people get directions.
• Online: For virtual events like webinars, live streams, or online classes. This option gives you more flexibility on how people will join.

3. Fill in the Essential Details

This is the core of your event page. Let's break down each field and why it matters.

Event Name

Your event name should be clear, concise, and searchable. Include what the event is and, if relevant, who it's for. Avoid using all caps or excessive emojis, which can look spammy.

• Bad Example: GET READY FOR THE BEST NIGHT EVER!
• Good Example: Sunset Yoga Flow in the Park - For All Levels

Start &, End Date and Time

Double-check this for accuracy. If your event spans multiple days or is a recurring event (e.g., a weekly market), you can set that up by clicking "Recurring Event." This creates a series of linked events so you don't have to start from scratch each time.

Location (For In-Person and Online Events)

• For In-Person Events: Start typing the venue name or address, and select it from the dropdown menu. This creates an interactive map on your event page. If the location isn't listed, you can enter the address manually.
• For Online Events: You get several choices here:
  • Facebook Live: Perfect if you're streaming directly on your event page. Attendees get a notification when you go live.
  • External Link: Use this for Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or any other platform. You'll add the link here, and attendees will see a button to join.
  • Other: A catch-all option where you can provide instructions like "Link will be emailed to you" or "Check the discussion tab for access."

Description

This is your sales pitch. What is the event about? Who should attend? What will they get out of it? Tell a story, break down the schedule, list speakers, or mention any special offers. Use formatting like bullet points and spacing to make it easy to read - a dense block of text turns people away.

Category

Select a category that best fits your event (e.g., Music, Food &, Drink, Health &, Wellness). This is important because it helps Facebook recommend your event to users who have shown interest in that category before.

4. Make it Visual: Add a Cover Photo or Video

Your cover photo is the billboard for your event. Use an eye-catching, high-resolution image or video. The ideal dimension for a Facebook event cover photo is 1920 x 1005 pixels.

Consider using:

• A professional photo from a previous event.
• A well-designed graphic that clearly displays the event title, date, and time.
• A short, compelling video that captures the vibe of the event. A video can be far more engaging than a static image.

5. Fine-Tune Your Settings

Before you publish, review the event settings. Here you can add partners or sponsors to broaden your reach.

• Add Co-Hosts: When you add another Page or friend as a co-host, the event also appears on their timeline and in their events tab, instantly tapping into their audience. Your co-host must accept the invitation. Co-hosts can also edit event details and invite people.
• Set Other Options: You can choose if you want the guest list to be public or hidden and decide whether attendees are allowed to post in the discussion feed. For most community-focused events, allowing discussion is a great way to build energy.

6. Publish and Promote!

Once you've double-checked everything, hit "Create Event." Your event is now live! Remember, creating the event page is step one. The real work - promotion - starts now.

Creating an Event from Your Mobile Device

The process on a mobile device is very similar but uses a more streamlined interface. It's perfect for creating an event on the go.

1. Open the Facebook app and tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines).
2. Tap on "Events."
3. Tap the plus (+) icon to create a new event.
4. Choose whether it's an "Online" or "In Person" event.
5. Fill in the same core details as you would on desktop: event name, date, time, description, location, etc.
6. Upload your cover photo directly from your phone's camera roll.
7. Add a category, invite co-hosts, and adjust any final settings.
8. Finally, tap "Create Event," and you're set.

While anything can be done from your phone, uploading a professionally designed cover photo and writing a detailed description is often easier from a desktop.

Go Beyond the Basics: Make Your Facebook Event a Success

Just because you build it doesn't mean they will come. An empty event page is a lost opportunity. Use these strategies to generate buzz and drive RSVPs.

1. Craft a Description that Connects

Don't just state the facts. What is the emotional hook? What problem does your workshop solve? What feeling will your concert evoke? Frame the details in terms of benefits to the attendee.

Example: Instead of "Charity Fun Run," try "Join the Community Fun Run! Every step you take helps fund our after-school programs. Expect music, snacks, and a free t-shirt for showing your support."

2. Engage in the Event Discussion Tab

The "Discussion" tab is your digital stage before the big day. Use it to:

• Post regular updates: Introduce speakers, share behind-the-scenes photos, or create countdown posts. Every post sends a notification to people who marked "Going" or "Interested."
• Ask questions: Run polls to get feedback or stir conversation. "Which song should we add to the playlist?" or "What's one thing you hope to learn at the workshop?"
• Answer questions promptly: Be active and responsive. An engaged host signals a well-organized event.

3. Use Co-hosts to Maximize Reach

Think strategically about co-hosts. Are you hosting at a local cafe? Make the cafe a co-host. Collaborating with another artist? Add their page. Is a sponsor helping fund the event? Add them. This cross-promotion expands your reach organically and adds credibility to your event.

4. Develop a Promotion Cadence

Don't rely on Facebook's algorithm to do all the work. Promote your event across multiple channels.

• Share the event on your own Facebook Page feed: Create several posts in the weeks leading up to the event, each highlighting a different benefit or feature.
• Post in relevant Facebook Groups: If you're hosting a workshop for small business owners, find entrepreneurial groups in your city and - after reading the rules - share a polite, non-spammy post about your event.
• Invite your network (tactfully): Use the "Invite" button to personally invite friends you genuinely think would be interested. Avoid mass-inviting your entire friend list.
• Promote with Facebook Ads: For important events, running a targeted ad can be highly effective. You can create an ad that specifically targets people by location, interests, and demographics, putting your event in front of the perfect audience.

Final Thoughts

Creating a public event on Facebook is a straightforward technical process, but bringing that event to life requires a thoughtful approach. Following these steps sets a solid foundation, while a consistent promotion strategy and active audience engagement turn a simple listing into a well-attended success story.

After your event page goes live, the promotion really kicks in. That means planning out your posts, shooting reminder videos, and sharing behind-the-scenes content across all your social channels - not just Facebook. As we saw our own teams drowning in spreadsheets and tabs trying to coordinate this, we built Postbase to make it simpler. With a visual calendar, you can plan all your promotional content at once, reliably schedule video teasers for Reels and TikTok, and manage all the incoming comments from one clean inbox. The less time you spend wrestling with tools, the more time you can spend connecting with your community.