Events to meet people are usually organized to facilitate friendships that wouldn’t happen spontaneously, due to lack of time, energy, shyness, or various other reasons. In this article, we want to offer you some ideas and one piece of advice: choose only five ideas, among the 18 proposed, that excite you the most. Try them for three weeks and see what worked best for you. After that, drop what doesn’t work and pick new ideas you’ve never tried before.
Now, of course, you need to know how to talk to people, have some fun, exchange contact info, and start from there. But knowing where to go to meet people can make the whole process of making friends easier for you.
So what makes sense to do? Which events should you attend?
Choose up to five ideas that inspire you from the 18 listed here and... dive in! After all, if you don’t try, you’ll never know.
Sports Events
Boxing, fitness and aerobics classes, trekking, climbing, etc. You choose. Going to sports events or participating in sports activities is a great way to take care of yourself and meet new people. It’s always better to join a large class where the activity encourages socializing: don’t waste your time in a class where you can’t meet friends.
Events to Discover New Hobbies
Yoga, Salsa, Tango, Japanese Cooking, acting… and so on. It’s a great way to meet new friends. If you want to learn a new skill, then go for it. If you want to do it just to meet friends, that’s fine too. Many people take up new hobbies just for this, discovering a real passion or hidden talent along the way.
Dive into analog photography, meet guitar lovers (or any other instrument), join a fitness and running club or an improv workshop. There’s something for everyone!
Events with Online Groups
Fitness, meetups, sports… it’s amazing how you can take any topic, from fishing to hiking, go on Google, type the keyword followed by your location and find a whole community of people interested in that. You can join a forum about something you like, start sharing your opinions on topics, then send private messages to some people you want to meet. Of course, you need to know how to do it properly, otherwise you’ll waste a lot of time or come off as inappropriate.
Volunteering
Join a non-profit or simply attend their events, talk to people and show interest in them. You can talk about the event’s topic, the common cause that unites you, whether it’s a clothing drive for the homeless or an activity at the local animal shelter, but even more, you can talk about them, increasing the chances of making a friend.
Social and Networking Events
Events for expats, social groups for professionals and freelancers, networking events, after-work gatherings. These are surprisingly informal and can be fantastic. People are open and interested in making new friends. Also, if you’re a bit shy, don’t worry, these are the easiest people to talk to.
Events in Bars and Pubs
Yes, it’s true, they can be intimidating. But you can simply start talking to someone at the bar, whether a guy or a girl. If you want to meet new people at a bar, go to busy bars where the music isn’t too loud. If you position yourself in a crowded area, people will be all around you. You’ll be safe there but can start conversations.
Bars stimulate social life: you often meet many people you know by sight and want to turn into friends. You meet people you already know and also their friends. Plus, it gives you the chance to introduce your friends to each other, which is very important for building a group.
Book Clubs and Libraries
Generally quiet places that turn into spots for passionate discussions where you can meet and get to know interesting new people.
Private Parties
Always go to private parties of people you know, especially birthday parties. People may act distant, but it means a lot to them if you show up at their birthday party, as it deepens the friendship. And it’s a great way to meet their friends. You’re likely to meet their closest friends and some family. People become very friendly and open at birthday parties. Don’t refuse invitations and let yourself be surprised by new acquaintances!
Dog Parks
The dog park area or any animal-related event is perfect for meeting nice people if you have a pet. Those strangers already share a passion with you and could soon become your friends.
Cultural Events
Events at museums, concerts, live music and local bands, but also comedy fan groups, exhibitions, special performances, and tours exploring art cities: a way to make friends and nourish your spirit at the same time.
Fan Clubs
Soccer, basketball, volleyball: if you like a team but aren’t a die-hard fan, don’t worry, you can still join fan groups. You can chat about the games and the team. You can tell people you don’t necessarily watch every match but like the team. If you’re interested in someone there, talk to them and shift the conversation to what they do in life and for fun.
Professional Events
Trade fairs, groups dedicated to professionals (e.g., sales, marketing, development, advertising, architects, lawyers, real estate, etc.). You get the idea, right? People go to these events for “professional networking.” This means they expect people to come and introduce themselves. This makes it easy to meet new people. Just don’t stay too much on the professional side of the conversation. You can be a bit outgoing and clearly show you can be fun too.
Events to Learn Something
Seminars, workshops, courses: if you attend a seminar on your topic of interest, it can be easy to make new friends. Because you’re very likely to meet the people you want most: people with shared interests.
On these occasions, you have the opportunity to connect with individuals who share your passions and values, making it easier to build authentic and lasting bonds. Actively participating in discussions, asking questions, and exchanging ideas can not only enrich your knowledge but also create fertile ground for future collaborations.
Moreover, many events like these offer informal moments, such as coffee breaks or networking sessions, perfect for approaching other participants in a more relaxed way. Don’t underestimate the power of social media: connecting online after the event can keep the conversation alive and turn a casual meeting into a true friendship or professional partnership.
Self-Improvement Clubs
Psychology, meditation, yoga… These can be fun. You might meet interesting people who are aware of where they’re going in life. The downside is that not everyone will be your age. But still, you can always meet at least two to five friends, for example in courses or groups or events dedicated to public speaking, a skill that can serve you in many fields.
Events for Singles
Speed dating, aperitifs, organized evenings: these are fun, especially if you go with a friend. Go there and talk to people and make it clear you’re not just looking to meet girls or guys for dates, but mainly to make friends. The key is not to take yourself too seriously.
Also, these occasions offer a great opportunity to expand your social circle and meet people with interests similar to yours. Let conversations flow naturally and be open to discussing various topics, from shared passions to future projects.
If you meet someone you feel a special connection with, don’t hesitate to suggest meeting again in a more relaxed setting, like a walk in the park or a coffee. Remember the main goal is to have fun and make new friends, and whatever else comes from it will be a pleasant bonus.
Couchsurfing
If you’ve never done Couchsurfing, the site that connects travelers with people offering free accommodation, you might want to try it. You can also contact local couchsurfers and ask them about the site and how they found the experience. This led me to add them on Facebook and meet them in person later. By the way, they also hold informal couchsurfer meetups: a great chance to meet open-minded people.
Language Events and Groups
People learning new languages like to meet others doing the same. If you speak Spanish, French, or any other foreign language, find a group of people learning it and join.
Food and Wine Events
Casual drinkers’ clubs, beer enthusiasts, wine tastings . A fabulous way to discover the region and make friends with other enthusiasts or aspiring sommeliers.
That’s all for now! This list is quite long and varied, so I challenge you not to find at least two ideas that fit your situation perfectly. Pick five that excite you, try them for three weeks, keep what works for you. Then come back for more inspiration.
Remember, people are bored and no one listens to them. They’re desperately looking for someone like you to ask them questions about themselves. Dive in and you’ll have great surprises.