Setting Up Event Calendars

This article shows you how to add an event calendar to your WordPress website on Web60.

Step 1: Install a Calendar Plugin

First, you need to install a calendar plugin. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard, then:

1. Click "Plugins" in the left menu
2. Click "Add New" at the top
3. Search for "The Events Calendar" (this is a free, popular option)
4. Click "Install Now" next to the plugin
5. Click "Activate" once installation finishes

For more details on installing plugins, see our guide on how to set up WordPress plugins.

Step 2: Configure Your Calendar Settings

After activation, you'll see "Events" in your WordPress menu:

1. Click "Events" then "Settings"
2. Set your timezone to "Dublin" or "Europe/Dublin"
3. Choose your date format (DD/MM/YYYY is common in Ireland)
4. Set your default currency to EUR if you plan to sell tickets
5. Click "Save Changes"

Step 3: Create Your First Event

To add an event:

1. Click "Events" then "Add New"
2. Enter your event title (e.g., "Summer Sale Workshop")
3. Add a description in the main text box
4. Fill in the "Event Details" section:
   • Start date and time
   • End date and time
   • Venue name and address
5. Add an event image using the "Set Featured Image" button
6. Click "Publish"

Step 4: Display Your Calendar

To show the calendar on your website:

1. Go to "Pages" then "Add New" (or edit an existing page)
2. Add a heading like "Upcoming Events"
3. In the editor, type "/events" and select "Events List" from the options
4. This creates a block showing your events
5. Save or update the page

Alternatively, create a dedicated events page and add it to your menu using our WordPress menus guide.

Step 5: Customise the Display

To change how your calendar looks:

1. Go to "Appearance" then "Customize"
2. Look for "Events" or "Calendar" options
3. Adjust colours to match your website
4. Set how many events to show per page
5. Choose between list view or calendar grid view

Adding Recurring Events

For regular events (weekly classes, monthly meetings):

1. When creating an event, look for "Recurring Event" options
2. Set the frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
3. Choose how many times to repeat
4. Set an end date for the series

This saves time instead of creating individual events.

Managing Event Categories

Organise events by type:

1. Go to "Events" then "Event Categories"
2. Click "Add New Category"
3. Enter names like "Workshops", "Sales", or "Classes"
4. Assign categories when creating events
5. Visitors can filter events by category

If you're still stuck with setting up your event calendar, contact Web60 support through your account portal for help.

FAQ

Q: Can customers book events directly through the calendar?

A: The basic Events Calendar plugin shows events but doesn't handle bookings. You'll need to add a booking plugin or include contact details for manual bookings.

Q: Will my events show up in Google search results?

A: Yes, The Events Calendar automatically adds structured data that helps Google display your events in search results and Maps.

Q: Can I sync my calendar with Google Calendar or Outlook?

A: The free version doesn't include calendar sync. You can manually export events or upgrade to the pro version for automatic syncing.

Q: How do I change the calendar colours to match my website?

A: Go to Appearance > Customize and look for calendar colour options, or use the overall site colour settings to maintain consistency.

Q: Can I add multiple venues for my events?

A: Yes, create different venues in Events > Venues, then select the appropriate venue when creating each event.

Q: What happens if I delete the calendar plugin?

A: Your events will be removed from display, but the data usually stays in your database. Reinstalling the plugin typically restores your events.

Q: Can I show only upcoming events and hide past ones?

A: Yes, this is the default behaviour. Past events automatically disappear from your calendar display but remain in your admin area for reference.