Creating a sense of community and fostering connections among residents can be a challenging task.
The key to building strong relationships and boosting resident satisfaction is through engagement and inclusive events that cater to a wide range of interests. Community engagement is one of the key factors when it comes to retaining tenants, so significant revenue is on the line.
That’s why at Eventbrite, we have consulted with our event experts and assembled this list of ideas for exciting resident events. From film nights and book clubs to fitness classes and charity drives, these ideas will bring neighbours together and create a vibrant living environment.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and inspiration to plan memorable events that will not only strengthen your community but also contribute to a more enjoyable living experience for all.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Community-Building Resident Event Ideas
Easy resident event ideas
Sometimes, you need a fast, easy way to bring residents together. Finding organising time is the biggest challenge for many event organisers. So here are nine easy resident event ideas for busy times when you can’t do extensive planning.
1. Welcome mixer
A welcome mixer is perfect for a time when a lot of new residents move in at the same time. All you need to do is provide a space for residents to meet and some refreshments to enjoy while they do it.
Some buildings choose to host welcome mixers at regular intervals. Check out event organiser Folk at The Palm House, and their monthly New Resident Welcome Mixer helps new residents make new friends no matter when they started living there.
Pro tip: Welcome mixers may be simple, but a little extra effort can go a long way! Consider creating some get-to-know-you activities like a “fun fact” bingo game that will encourage the attendees to mingle and get to know one another.
2. Resident Q&A
A resident Q&A is an opportunity for you to address any questions, concerns, or feedback that residents may have. This event can be either formal or informal, depending on the type of questions and the number of attendees.
When you plan your resident Q&A, consider who you want to answer questions. Many of the questions will be directed at the property manager, but you can also include maintenance staff and long-term residents who may have advice for newer residents.
Folk At Florence Dock hosts regular Resident Feedback Sessions to give residents a chance to voice their opinions.
Pro tip: When planning a resident Q&A, be prepared for a range of questions and concerns. Consider creating a document with frequently asked questions and answers to provide a starting point for the discussion.
3. Book club
A book club is an excellent way to bring residents together. Try to select books that appeal to different age groups and interests. You may also want to provide some snacks or drinks at meetings so that people can socialise while they discuss the book.
Pro tip: You can make sure everyone gets involved in the discussion by assigning each attendee a section of the book to read before coming. Then, when they arrive, ask each person to summarise their assigned section and lead a group discussion.
4. Clothing swap
A clothing swap is a great way for residents to clean out their wardrobes and give back at the same time. Encourage people to bring in gently used clothes that they no longer wear and exchange them with others. You can also set up a donation bin for any leftover items.
Pro tip: Consider giving some style guidelines so everyone knows what type of clothing items are appropriate for the swap. You could also group clothes into categories like “formal clothing,” “party clothes,” or even by size or colour!
5. Gardening club
A gardening club might sound a little more intimidating than the previous ideas, but it’s actually quite simple to put together. You can have different residents come to speak about their gardening experiences in the building or bring in a gardening expert to answer questions and give some ideas to your green-thumbed residents.
That’s what the event organisers at Sunday Mills did, inviting a guest speaker to show their residents how to maintain their own space in the community garden.
Pro tip: Theme different meetings and guest speakers to the seasons. You could even offer different advice to residents whose flats face the sunnier and shadier sides of the building.
6. Karaoke night
Karaoke nights are always a fun way to bring neighbours together. Not only will people have the chance to belt out their favourite tunes, but they can also mingle and spend time with each other in a relaxed atmosphere. Just make sure that you have a wide range of songs so everyone has something to enjoy.
Pro tip: Consider hiring a professional karaoke operator or DJ for maximum engagement and energy. Also, have a prize system in place — whether it’s for the best singer, most creative performance, or another category of your choice.
7. Language exchange
Bringing people with different language skills together to practise and learn from each other can be a great way to connect. Invite people who speak different languages to take turns teaching one another. It can also give residents who are not native speakers a chance to integrate and become more familiar with the local culture.
Pro tip: More confident speakers can sometimes dominate language exchanges, meaning that shyer beginners don’t get a chance to practice. Consider creating a formal structure for people to switch languages so everyone gets a chance to practice the language they’re learning.
8. Neighbour “speed dating”
Even after years of living nearby, some people don’t get to know their neighbours very well. A “speed dating” event can help people introduce themselves and create a jumping-off point for more neighbourly friendships.
To get people chatting fast, you can add fun elements like puzzles and games to break the ice.
Pro tip: Provide conversation-starters to avoid any awkward silences in the speed dating process. You could start each round with a question prompt or give participants index cards with questions to get them talking.
9. Pet playdate
If your building has a lot of pet owners, why not organise an event for their animals to meet one another? Pet playdates are a great way for residents to get to know each other as their pets get acquainted.
Pro tip: Make sure that you have enough space and seating for pet owners to socialise while their animal companions interact. You should also provide pet-friendly snacks and refreshments — catnip cookies anyone?
Community-building resident event ideas
One of the greatest benefits of resident events is how they build community. But sometimes, coming up with fun and unique ideas can be tough. Here are some of our favourite ways to bring residents together:
10. Wine or beer tasting
Wine and beer tastings are a great way to get the conversation flowing, and they’re not too complicated to organise. Research the types of wines or beers you want to feature and then provide small samples for attendees to taste.
You can also include food pairings to enhance their experience. If you’re doing beer tastings, consider offering crips and dips or nuts as snacks. For wine events, charcuterie boards are always a hit.
Pro tip: Take your event to the next level by inviting a local brewery owner or wine sommelier to provide an in-depth background about the different options you’ve chosen and teach attendees how to identify the different flavours.
11. Film night
All you need for a film night is a projector, screen, and speakers (or just a large TV). You can show films from Netflix or rent them from the local library. You could even host regular, weekly events where you show a series rather than a film. For a more interactive experience, consider a themed film night with snacks that match the theme.
Of course, if you have a dedicated film room like the Folk at Sunday Mills use for their film nights, that’s ideal. But you can emulate them by offering popcorn and other refreshments to complete the cinema experience.
To allow residents to socialise, you can organise a team quiz at the end of the film so everyone talks to at least a few other neighbours before they leave.
Pro tip: Get everyone excited about the film night ahead of time by letting your attendees vote on what they want to watch. That way, you can make sure you’ll show crowd-pleasing films that’ll magnetise residents to your event.
12. Charity drive
Charity drives are a great way to get your residents involved. Ask them to donate food, household goods, or other items for a specific cause and make it into an occasion. It’s a good idea to provide donation bins or boxes so they can easily drop off their donated items on the day of the event.
Pro tip: To take your charity drive up a notch, consider hosting additional activities at the same time as donations are being collected — like arts and crafts for kids, live music performances, or even yoga classes. That way, people can enjoy themselves while giving back!
13. Resident Olympics
For a competitive and active event, Olympics is the way to go. Create teams of 3–4 people who will compete against each other in friendly games such as tug-of-war, water balloon fights, or rounders.
You could also provide medals or awards for the winners, as well as refreshments for everyone at the end. It’s sure to be a fun time that your residents will never forget.
Pro tip: When designing the activities and rules for your resident Olympics, make sure that they are accessible to all levels of physical ability so that everyone can join in on the fun. Also, consider having a few non-competitive activities like face painting or crafts so that all attendees have something to do and enjoy.
14. Community cleanup
This event will get your residents involved in caring for their community, bringing people together for a good cause. Invite your tenants to join you in cleaning up the grounds or local public areas, like parks. You could organise teams to do some landscaping work in the community gardens or pick up litter.
Pro tip: Consider offering incentives for participants, such as snacks or drinks, once they’ve completed their task. Also, don’t forget to thank your volunteers and let them know how much of a difference they made!
15. Skill swap
A skill swap is a great way to bring people together and an event you can organise around any skills you want — from baking to yoga classes or even tech seminars. Ask your residents or other experts in the area to lead different classes on their specialities.
Pro tip: Try leading the first “skill swap” class yourself, teaching your residents about a hobby or interest of your own. That can give others a template for how they could contribute to classes in the future.
16. Game night
Game nights are sure to get people talking while having some fun. Popular choices include classic board games like Monopoly and Scrabble, but you could also go with something more modern. You could also theme your game night with different holidays or seasons, like a St. Patrick’s Day theme.
Pro tip: If you plan on hosting a competition-style game night, make sure you have enough prizes for the winners — like gift cards or special treats from local businesses. Also, consider setting up refreshment stations to keep everyone hydrated and energised.
17. Volunteer day
A volunteer day is a true community event because it gets your residents involved in the broader community outside the building.
It involves a group of volunteers from the complex coming together to help out at an organisation’s site, doing tasks such as building, painting, landscaping, preparing and handing out food, and similar work.
Pro tip: Provide transportation to and from the event, and speak with the organisation to be sure all of your volunteers will be able to contribute regardless of physical ability.
18. Trivia night
Start a little friendly competition with a trivia night! Trivia nights are an excellent opportunity to unite people and test their knowledge on topics such as film, sports, history, and geography. You could host the trivia night yourself or ask a local bar or restaurant if they’d appreciate some guaranteed business on a regular basis.
Pro tip: Ask the residents for some topic suggestions, then research questions about each one. The interests and knowledge of your residents might surprise you!
19. Mindfulness workshop
About 8 million people in the UK practice meditation, so hosting a mindfulness workshop could effectively capture the attention of many residents by tapping into their interests. Everybody can benefit from mindfulness, so why not go ahead and give it a shot?
You could even invite a local meditation instructor to come and give your residents an overview of the basics.
Pro tip: Create a relaxed environment with comfortable pillows, blankets, and soft lighting. It can also help to provide resources regarding local mindfulness classes or meditation spaces so attendees can continue their journey if they wish.
Student hall event ideas
University students are eager to try new activities and meet each other, so these kinds of activities are a great way to get everyone engaged. Here are some ideas to bring university students together:
20. DIY workshop
Students are there to learn skills, so why not help them out with another? DIY workshops with step-by-step guidance on topics like crafting furniture or designing jewellery are a great way to get people involved in hands-on activities together.
Pro tip: Make sure to have all the necessary materials and tools on hand. Get an idea of how many people will attend through a tool like Eventbrite’s RSVP tracker so you can have the right amount of supplies for everyone.
21. Talent show
How can you get self-conscious uni students to participate in a talent show wholeheartedly? Consider offering some prizes for people with unique or extraordinary talents, or advertise pizza for everyone who attends — students love free food!
Socially-conscious students could also be motivated to use their talents for a good cause, like raising money for a local charity.
Pro tip: Try to get a few performers on board right away so you can advertise their participation. If people see that their friends are showing off their talents, they’re more likely to attend or even participate themselves.
22. Themed party
Hosting a themed party can effectively bring together halls residents who share common interests. Pick something that most would be interested in, like a Harry Potter-themed night or a ‘00s dance party. Choose decorations and activities that match the theme, and encourage guests to dress up in costumes if they’d like.
Pro tip: Make sure to plan ahead and book any necessary venues or services (like DJs) well in advance. That’ll help you advertise the music and refreshments well before the event. You can put this on your event page and take bookings straight from there with Eventbrite’s platform.
23. Ice cream social
Ice cream is one way to sell out your event. Just provide a set of toppings and let everyone make their own ice cream cones, and the students will take care of the socialising.
Pro tip: It’s a good idea to provide some vegan or dairy-free options for students with dietary restrictions. You could even make all of the ice cream vegan so people who wouldn’t normally try non-dairy ice cream get a chance to taste something new.
25. Yoga class
A relaxing yoga class could be a great way for students to relax during stressful exam periods. An hour-long yoga class is a powerful way to get people connected with their bodies and focused on self-care.
Pro tip: Try to find a yoga teacher who is certified and experienced in teaching classes. Make sure to have plenty of mats, blocks, and straps available for all your participants. Some yogis may want to practice in silence or with music, so plan accordingly.
26. Bingo or poker night
You don’t need to gamble real money for a poker or bingo night to be fun. Have a prize for the winner, like a gift card or free cinema tickets. You can even create custom bingo cards that feature fun facts about your university or student accommodation.
Pro tip: Make sure everyone understands the rules of the game. For poker, consider a separate table to help beginners learn the game. You can even print posters with the rules on them and stick them on the wall to help people play.
27. Sports viewing party
University sports are a great way to bring people together, even if not everyone plays. Take people from your halls to a university game so they can cheer for their respective teams together and get to know each other better. Even if they’re not on the same team, they’ll have a laugh and get to know each other.
Pro tip: If you have the budget, consider covering the cost of everyone’s tickets or refreshments. While your local or university teams may not charge a lot, the cost can still be an inhibiting factor, and everyone will have more fun if they don’t have to worry about the money.
28. Fitness class
Fitness classes can bring residents together in a fun and active way. Hire an instructor or do it yourself (if you’re qualified). Some ideas for fitness classes are yoga, Zumba, boot camp, or even boxing. It all depends on what kind of equipment you have available and what your residents are interested in trying out.
Pro tip: Advertise your class ahead of time using social media, email, and posters, and provide the necessary equipment, like mats and weights, so that everyone is comfortable during their workout.
29. Picnic outside
In the warmer months of the year, consider hosting a picnic outside. Just pick up some food, drinks, and outdoor games. If you have access to a park or green space nearby, even better.
Pro tip: Make sure to provide enough seating for everyone so they don’t have to stand or sit on the ground. Also, keep some bug spray and sun cream handy.
How to make your resident events stand out
Whether you’re looking to entertain uni students, help your community bond, or put on a quick event for people to get to know each other, Eventbrite is here to help. The best way to get the word out about your exciting events is with a professional event marketing platform.
Tools like Eventbrite’s Marketing Platform can help you reach out to your community with automated emails, reminding them of upcoming events. You can also use it to put up ads on social media to encourage attendance and make sure everyone has the chance to have a great time.
