How to Edit an Event on Facebook

Your event plans are set, the Facebook Event page is live, and attendees are clicking Going. But then, something changes. A last-minute venue switch, a time adjustment, or even just a typo in the description needs fixing. This guide walks you through exactly how to edit an event on Facebook using your computer or mobile device. We’ll also cover the best ways to communicate those changes to your guests so everyone stays informed and happy.

What You Can (and Can’t) Edit in a Facebook Event

Before you get started, it’s good to know that while Facebook allows you to change most details, some things become locked in after your event is created to protect attendees from misleading changes. Understanding these limitations upfront can save you a headache later.

What You Can Almost Always Edit:

These details are flexible and can be updated at pretty much any time, whether you have five attendees or five hundred.

• Event Name: Fixed a typo or want to make it punchier? You can change the name.
• Description: Add more details, update the schedule, or clarify information for your guests. This is your main space for communication.
• Date and Time: You can move the event to a different day or adjust the start and end times. This is one of the most common edits.
• Location: Whether you're moving from one physical address to another or changing an in-person event to an online one, you can update the location.
• Event Category: Switched from a 'Networking' event to a 'Workshop'? You can recategorize it.
• Photos and Videos: You can change the cover photo or video to better reflect the event.
• Tickets Link: If you're using an external ticketing platform, you can update the URL.
• Co-hosts: You can add or remove Pages or friends as co-hosts. This gives them editing privileges and adds the event to their page timeline as well.
• Additional Settings: Details like whether guests can post on the event page or invite friends can typically be toggled on or off.

What You Might Not Be Able to Edit:

Facebook places some restrictions on public events that have already gained traction. These rules are generally in place to prevent "bait-and-switch" tactics where an event's fundamental nature is altered after people have shown interest.

• Privacy Settings: You cannot change a Public event to a Private event once it has been created. The reverse is also true, Private events are locked to that privacy setting. This is the strictest rule, so choose your privacy setting carefully from the start.
• Guest List Visibility: In some cases, the option to hide or show the guest list can become fixed depending on the event's privacy.
• Restricted Edits on Big Events: For very popular public events, Facebook may limit major edits to the name, time, or location to prevent user confusion or spam. If you try to make a significant change, you might get a warning or be blocked from saving.

How to Edit a Facebook Event: A Desktop Guide

Step 1: Navigate to Your Event

First, find the event you want to edit. You can typically do this in a few ways:

• Go directly to the Facebook Page that is hosting the event. Click on the "Events" tab in the left-hand menu.
• From your personal news feed, click on "Events" in the left-hand menu. Then, select "Your Events" to see a list of events you are hosting or have been invited to.

Once you see your event on the list, click on it to open the event page.

Step 2: Find and Click the "Edit" Button

When you are on your event page, a prominent "Edit" button will be visible near the top, usually next to the "Invite" button and below the event title. As the event creator or a co-host, only you will see this option.

Step 3: Make Your Changes

Clicking "Edit" will open a pop-up window that looks very similar to the one you used to create the event. Here, you can change nearly all the details:

Common Fields to Update:

• Event Name: Click into the field and type the new name.
• Date and Time: Use the calendar and time selectors to set the new start and end dates/times. If your event has multiple dates, you can edit the schedule here.
• Location: Toggle between "In Person" and "Online." For an in-person event, you can type a new street address. For an online event, you can choose a format like "Facebook Live," "Messenger Rooms," or "External Link" and paste the relevant URL.
• Description: This is a powerful text field. Use it to clearly write out what has changed. For example, if you change the time, it's a great practice to add a line at the top of the description like, "UPDATED: Please note the event now starts at 8:00 PM!"
• Cover Photo/Video: Hover over the current cover image and click "Change Photo" or "Change Video" to upload a new one.

Step 4: Save and Notify Your Guests

Once you’ve made all your changes, click the blue "Update" button at the bottom of the pop-up window. After you click it, Facebook will often prompt you with an option to notify your guests of the changes by either posting in the event or sending a notification.

Think carefully before sending a notification. For a minor typo fix, skip it. For a change in date, time, or location, always notify your attendees to avoid confusion on the day of the event.

Editing Your Event on the Go: The Mobile App Guide

If you manage your social media from your phone, editing an event is just as simple. The interface might look a bit different, but the steps are essentially the same whether you're using an iPhone or Android.

Step 1: Open the Facebook App and Find Your Event

Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines, usually at the bottom right) and select "Events." From there, tap on "Hosting" to filter for the events you have created. Tap on the specific event you need to modify.

Step 2: Tap the "Manage" Button

On your event page, you'll see a "Manage" button with a gear or tool icon. Tap this button. This is your control center for editing and managing your event from your phone.

Step 3: Select "Edit"

After tapping "Manage," a menu of options will appear. Tap on "Edit" from this list. This will take you to the editing screen where you can adjust all the details of your event, just like on the desktop version.

You can scroll through and tap any field - from the event name and description to the date, time, and location - to make your updates.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

After you finish editing, scroll to the bottom and tap the "Save" button. As with the desktop version, you may be prompted to notify your guests. Be mindful of when you choose this option to avoid sending out unnecessary alerts for small corrections.

Beyond the Edit Button: Best Practices for Communicating Changes

Just changing the details isn't always enough. The success of your event depends on your registered guests knowing what’s going on. How you communicate these changes is just as important as the edit itself.

Be Prompt and Transparent

As soon as you know a detail is changing, update the event page. Guests often check the event page for last-minute information, and seeing conflicting details across different posts can cause frustration. If it's a significant change, like a postponement, a little transparency goes a long way. A quick line like, "We've had to move the date due to a scheduling conflict with the venue, but we're excited to see you all on the new date!" can build goodwill.

Use the Discussion Tab for Major Announcements

Don't just rely on the automated notification. For something important, like a venue or date change, write a dedicated post in the "Discussion" section of your event. Pin this post to the top so it’s the first thing people see when they visit the page.

Example Post:

"🚨 Important Update! 🚨

Hi everyone, we have an important change of plans for our [Event Name]. Due to unforeseen weather, we are moving the event indoors to [New Venue Address]. All other details, including the start time of 7:00 PM, remain the same. The event page details have been updated, but we wanted to post here as well to make sure everyone sees the news! Can't wait to see you there!"

If You Need to Cancel an Event

Sometimes, events just can't happen. In the editing menu, there is an option to "Cancel Event." When you select this, you can choose to cancel a single occurrence or the entire event if it's a recurring one. This will send a notification to all guests and add a "Canceled" banner to the event page.

When you cancel, you also have the option to add a message explaining the cancellation. If tickets were sold through a third-party site, use this space to direct attendees on how to get refunds. Clear, proactive communication is essential for maintaining trust with your audience, even when you have to share bad news.

Final Thoughts

Editing a Facebook Event is a simple process once you know where to look, whether you’re on a desktop or mobile. The most important thing is to make your changes clearly and communicate them effectively, ensuring your attendees have the right information right when they need it.

Managing your social media, from event announcements to daily promotional posts, can sometimes feel like you're juggling a dozen different tasks at once. That's why we designed Postbase to bring all your planning into one place. With our visual calendar, you can see your entire content strategy at a glance, schedule posts far in advance, and make sure your event promotion is perfectly timed - all without jumping between platforms or spreadsheets.