“Go hard or go home?” Not anymore. In 2026, it’s all about Soft Socializing.
Spending time together IRL isn’t going anywhere, but connection without pressure is the new social currency. Forced chatter is a thing of the past. Now, it’s about doing things together, but at your own pace and on your own terms.
Whether it’s an inspiring museum tour, a soul-nourishing nature walk, or an energizing fitness class, these paces allow connections to feel effortless — no networking face required.
It’s one of five trends highlighted in our 2026 Social Study, which shows that for this generation, socializing doesn’t need to be the main event:
- 58% say socializing is somewhat important, but don’t want it to be the focus.
- 45% prefer to control how and when they interact.
- 41% want places to sit back and observe.
Eventbrite data* shows an appetite for low-pressure social environments:
- Flower arranging events experienced a 282% increase in attendance in the UK..
- Puzzle competitions more than doubled in the US (+151%).
- Caffeine tastings (including tea, matcha, and coffee) experienced significant growth in the UK, with events increasing by 80% and attendance rising by 49%.
- Music bingo attracted bigger crowds in both the US (+149%) and the UK (+52%).
- Silent events (silent discos + silent book clubs) increased by 9% in the UK, with attendance rising by 14%.
Looking to bring Soft Socializing energy to your 2026 events? We’ve found some of the most inspiring examples on Eventbrite, plus practical tips and effective tools to help you plan and market with impact in the year ahead.
How to Plan and Promote a Soft Socializing Event
1. Focus on doing, not talking
Shared passions allow connections to happen naturally, and sensory experiences facilitate flow without forced engagement. Think city tours, craft circles, book clubs, or workshops where conversations naturally unfold.
NYC’s Nook offers a wide variety of activities, including a chess club, knitting circle, maker meet-ups, creative writing groups, collage nights, and drawing classes. The list goes on, but what they all have in common is variable levels of sociality.
Similarly, London’s Something Good Workshops offer a ‘something-for-everyone’ approach. Knitting, collage, embellishment, embroidery, print-making, needle felt, and sewing are just some of the many activities available to those looking for activities that focus on doing.
Marketing the mood:
- Capture the laid-back atmosphere with short videos or carousels showing attendees enjoying themselves and connecting effortlessly.
- Feature short, bite-sized quotes in your marketing that capture the tone of the experience, like “I came for the knitting, stayed for the peace.”
- Build community around your events by inviting attendees to share their calm, creative habits online (remember to create a branded hashtag).
Tools that let you set the pace:
- Upload hi-res photos and videos from past events to your event listing to show attendees what to expect.
- You can add tags related to theme, topic, vibe, and location to your event listings to help people find your events.
2. Partner with local favorites to create unique experiences
Consider partnering with neighborhood spots such as coffee shops, breweries, or cafés to host Soft Socializing events. The relaxed atmosphere of these venues naturally encourages people to connect, unwind, and share experiences in comfortable, familiar settings. By collaborating with local small businesses, you not only create welcoming, low-pressure opportunities for connection but also help strengthen the local community and economy.
It’s something Puzzle Buzz knows all about. They are helping to drive the 151% rise in puzzle competitions with their speed-puzzling competitions held at breweries and bars all over the US. They have hosted almost 200 of their hugely popular speed jigsaw competitions on Eventbrite in the past year.
And the brilliantly named Snakes & Lattes hosts regular games and puzzle events across their eight US coffee shops. Attendees can take their pick from puzzle race tournaments, pop culture trivia nights, grown-up show-and-tells, and can even design and test their own games.
Marketing the mood:
- Tell the collaboration story by sharing why you’re partnering with a local venue (“two local favorites joining forces to bring the community together”).
- Leverage each other’s audiences by cross-promoting your events on social media and email sends.
- Offer co-branded perks and giveaways like “Bring a Friend” promo codes and branded freebies (stickers, badges, tote bags).
Tools that let you set the pace:
- A great way to stay connected with your audience is to encourage attendees to follow your organizer profile so that they get notified as soon as you publish new events.
- Eventbrite Ads enable you to promote your events locally across Eventbrite’s site and mobile apps, giving your attendees a better chance of discovering your event.
3. Embrace the outdoors
Soft Socializing events don’t have to happen indoors. Getting attendees out into nature offers them space to breathe, wander, and share quiet moments. Sometimes just being side by side, walking a trail, sharing a sunrise, sitting under the trees, or waking up the body at an outdoor morning rave is connection enough.
Ria Glassman’s events in LA offer just that. Attendees at Walking With the Wind have the opportunity to participate in a four-mile hike, accompanied by moments of quiet reflection and a chance to connect (if desired) with other walkers at the end of the trail. And the ‘Embracing Winter’ event adds a soundbath, mindfulness, and crafts into the mix as attendees honor the seasonal shift from fall to winter.
In addition to walking clubs, San Francisco-based Friends & Neighbors also hosts other Soft Socializing events, including their silent picnic and reading mash-up, ‘Picnic for Pages’, communal art clubs, kite flying, cloud watching, and even a ‘Cook the Books’ communal accounting gathering.
Marketing the mood:
- Turn your event emails into mini mindfulness moments by including simple rituals or playlist recommendations alongside event listings.
- Partner with mental health or wellness organizations to co-promote the value of rest and slow connection.
- Rebrand traditional walking clubs as movement-based mindfulness circles, positioned as connection through shared silence.
Tools that let you set the pace:
- For nonprofit or charity events, donation ticket types enable attendees to choose the amount they wish to donate when placing their order. Eventbrite also offers reduced fees on donation tickets to help organizers maximize their impact.
- BOGO tickets are a great way to encourage attendees to bring a friend, and it’s easy to set up ‘2-for-1’ options on Eventbrite.
Discover how to bring this year’s Social Study trends to life:
- Off-Script Energy: How to Bring the Unexpected to Your Next Event
- Show Up to Shape It: How to Empower Attendees to Make a Difference
- Neighborhood Revival: How to Win With Local Events
- Layers, Not Labels: How to Channel the Power of Event Mashups
Creator Spotlights: See the 2026 Social Study trends in action:
- How BURNTORANGEHONEY Turns Unexpected Spaces Into NYC’s Most Electric Dining Experience
- How Silent Discos in Incredible Places Turn Quiet Connection Into a Cultural Movement
- How Crop Swap LA Is Redefining Community Action Events
- How New York Adventure Club Is Powering the Hyper-Local Event Boom
Want More?
Explore Eventbrite’s 2026 Social Study.
*Eventbrite Platform Data: Analyzed US and UK data comparing Aug 2023–Jul 2024 vs. Aug 2024–Jul 2025, tracking keywords in titles, descriptions, and venues.
