11 Creative Ideas For A Community Event That’ll Bring Everyone Together

Let’s face it – it’s tough to get a group of like-minded people to actually come to a community event. What’s the secret? Making it fun. And what’s a great way to do that? Hold it somewhere cool. Whether you’re trying to drum up volunteers, do a little community cleanup, or just get together to bond with your neighbors, here are 11 creative ideas for that one-of-a-kind event that will put the “unity” back in “community.”

1. Use Peerspace to find that perfect venue

Peerspace is the largest peer-to-peer website with listings of thousands of venues that you can rent by the hour. Peerspaces are in hundreds of cities, ranging from rooftop gardens to mansions to pop-up restaurants. Renting a Peerspace is a fantastic way to make your community event come to life. It’s super easy to use – just go to the website, enter the type of event and city you live in, and the day you want to host it. Scroll through results with high-quality photos of the space, and often reviews from previous renters.

Anything that your Peerspace venue doesn’t offer is likely to be available through your friendly local host. They can bring catered food, furniture, audiovisual gear – whatever your gathering might need for that extra pizzazz.

2. Throw a block party

Block parties are community events that focus on neighborly bonding. Generally, they take place in the street around your neighborhood – your block is blocked off for mingling and revelry. If you live somewhere with inclement weather, like Portland, Oregon, maybe you should hold that block party indoors. Rent this pretty downtown event space for a group of up to 120 neighbors.

3. Host a community cook-off

Select a regional favor and get your community together for a friendly cooking competition. You could host a taco cookoff in this historic San Antonio hacienda, with gorgeous Mexican fixtures and lots of space for up to 100 people to enjoy the food and ambiance. Or, go with the more traditional chile cookoff – you’re in Texas, after all!

4. Putting on a fundraiser

Communities help one another in times of need, so join together and host a fundraiser for a good cause. Fundraisers come in all shapes and sizes, like auctions, raffles, and games with financial prizes. If you live in Boston, host a community fundraiser in this luxe Seaport District gallery and event space.

5. Have an outdoor game day

Healthy competition is a great way to bring community together. All ages can participate in soccer, lawn bowling, water fights, sack races, giant games of checkers – play whatever you like. If you’re gathering in Southern California, outdoor game days are ideal, since you are sure to have good weather almost all year ’round. You could hold the community event in a public park or rent a beautiful outdoor venue like this Los Angeles-area oasis and farm.

6. Stargaze together

Another outdoor community event that will bring everyone together is stargazing. Watch astronomical calendars for special astral happenings, like eclipses and comets. Book this unique natural acreage in northern Montana near the US border with Canada, and you might get lucky and catch the aurora borealis. Gather some telescopes and serve hot cocoa – the Milky Way awaits.

7. Clothes swap

Recycled clothing is all the rage, and clothing swaps are a surefire way to get the community together. Gather donations using social media – or actual face-to-face communication – about a month prior to the swap. Try to have all sizes of clothing available, including kids’ and infants’. Check with your community members to see if they have loaner clothing racks and hangers.

If not, you might be able to source some from your Peerspace venue’s local host. Host in a space with lots of mirrors and a changing area, like this Vancouver event loft studio.

8. Film screening

The community that watches movies together, stays together – isn’t that what they say? No? Well, it might be true. Give it a try and book this barn-turned-event space in Austin. It has indoor and outdoor space for 130 and has hosted movie screenings and other community events.

9. Help a neighbor out

Get together as a community and help a neighbor in need. Maybe a recent widow needs help shoveling her snow, or a family could use assistance harvesting their crops. Build community by working together to support one another, and afterward host a social event to strengthen your bond even more. Midwesterners tend to be a helpful bunch, so if you’re assisting a community member in Kansas City, you’ll enjoy one another’s company in this vibey restaurant after hours.

10. Giant trivia night

Find yourself in Australia and ready to build a community? Host a friendly, giant trivia challenge at this pub and event space near Sydney. It offers everything from a green space to a professional kitchen, a place for a DJ to set up, and the tables, chairs, and speakers you’ll need to play your trivia game.

This is just one of many new Peerspaces popping up all over the world. Check out Peerspace Global to stay in the know about emergent Peerspace markets.

11. Community theater night

Few communities are more tightly knit than theater groups. For an all-out community event, put on a play together. The production will take loads of work, rehearsals, and maybe even some tears, but once you perform the play you will be forever bonded. Put your play on in a private theater like this intimate Seattle stage. Located in the downtown area, the theater seats 62 and comes equipped with amenities galore.

Find unique community event venues on Peerspace