Looking for a WordPress event calendar that allows you to display events, and easily add user submissions? We have the solution for you!
Building an event calendar is fairly simple, especially with the right tools. But there are so many WordPress events plugins out there, how do you know which to use?
Believe it or not, a powerful form builder is all you need to do everything from creating an event calendar to collecting feedback from attendees after your event is over.
And there's no better WordPress form builder than Formidable Forms! So today, we're going to show you how to use this plugin to create your events calendar.
How to build a WordPress event calendar from user entries
As we said, you're going to need Formidable Forms to follow along with this tutorial, so if you don't already have it installed on your WordPress website, grab our form maker now.
Step 1: Build a WordPress form for new user-submitted events
This form needs some basic minimum information. It must include the Event Name and Event Date. You also have the option to create multi-day events, and events that repeat. If your events will use these features, add fields to your form for these options too.
Next, add a more detailed description of your event. You may want to include an event itinerary, dress code, venue details, or even a seating chart.
Add fields to your form for any details you wish to display.
For our example, we're going to set up a calendar for a school website, so our form looks like this:
At this stage, you should define the settings to limit your form visibility and submission permissions.
Would you like the form to be used by administrators only, or for user-submitted events too? Configure these settings to best suit your unique requirements.
Step 2: Build the WordPress event calendar view
Formidable comes with an option to display form data in a calendar View, so this bit is really easy.
Setting up an event calendar view is almost exactly the same as a normal View. The only difference is you choose the Calendar View type:
Select the fields that set the event start date and event duration and repeating options if required:
The calendar overview doesn't have space for lots of text, so keep the main content simple. Let's display just the event name in the overview with a link to find out more about each event.
<h3><a href="[detaillink]">[2752]</a></h3>
Swap out 2752 for the ID of the field that contains your event name.
At this point make a few test entries in your form. Then copy your View shortcode and publish it on a page to get an idea of how it's going to look.
Step 3: Build the detailed page for the WordPress event calendar user submissions
The detail page allows you to display all the extra information associated with the event.
We've chosen a grid layout and added each of the fields and a label into each box in my grid. So we end up with a list of all the fields for that entry.
The resulting detail page looks like this:
Step 4: Allow easy front-end event editing
Even the best-laid plans can come unstuck. It might be due to inclement weather or issues with the venue. So easily editing your events is essential.
To enable editing for your event calendar, first, go to your form settings page. Scroll down to Permissions and check the box to Allow front-end editing of entries.
Determine which user role can edit their own submissions and which user role can edit responses submitted by others. Usually, this is set so logged-in users can edit their own entries, and only administrators can edit other user submissions.
Add an edit link to the View. This can be added in either the Listing Page, or the Detail Page box (or both). The edit link is only visible to logged-in users who have permission to edit that entry. So it will be invisible to the majority of your visitors.
[editlink label="Edit" page_id=y]
Replace 'y' with the Page ID where your form is published. Follow these instructions to find the page ID.
Then click Update to save your View. Now an "Edit" link will appear next to each entry for quick and easy event changes.
🫤 Having troubles? Check out this knowledge base article for more help!
Enjoy your WordPress event calendar
That's it! Four quick steps and you have the perfect WordPress event calendar for user submissions!
Wondering how you can use Formidable to make event management even easier? Here's how to make an event registration form and how to build an online RSVP form in WordPress.
Not using Formidable yet? Get started today with the most powerful form creator and data management plugin.
How would you add multiple timeslots per date and allow it to be in a view with a checkbox so that they could pick multiple on multiple days? For instance a sport club have multiple games per day and allow them to select multiple from the calendar and submit their details.
I mean like this demo https://formidableforms.com/demos/calendar/ and it is a form so that the links on there are showing each timeslot on the day with a checkbox and they submit. So essentially the calendar is a form on a multi-page form.
Hi Terry,
Could you please open a ticket in our helpdesk with these questions? https://formidableforms.com/new-topic/
Is it possible for users to subscribe to calendar events/feeds?
While this could potentially be done with some advanced functionality and minor customization/coding, we recommend using our Simply Schedule Appointments plugin integration for this functionality.
Is there a way for users to submit a reservation request but it won't show on the calendar until the event / registration is approved?
Yes, this is possible.
So, is it possible to import events into the calendar? And if so, how?
Yes, this should be possible by importing entries into your form that populates the events. If you need assistance with this, please reach out to our support team.
Hi, When can we see the new UI of the calendar?