Creating a Facebook event takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you're on a computer or phone

To create an event on Facebook, go to your News Feed and look for the "Events" option in the left sidebar (on desktop) or the menu icon (on mobile). Click or tap "Create Event," then fill in the event name, date, time, location, and description. Facebook will ask whether the event is public, private, or invite-only. Once you've set those details, you can add a cover photo, invite specific people, and publish.

The process is straightforward because Facebook keeps the required fields minimal. You only need a name and date to publish an event — everything else can be added or changed later. This matters because you can create an event quickly and refine the details as you plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook events are created from the Events section of your News Feed, and the process takes the same steps on both desktop and mobile.
  • You must set whether your event is public (anyone can see and join), private (only invited people can see it), or invite-only (you control who gets invited).
  • A cover photo, description, and guest list can be added after you publish, so you don't need everything ready before you create the event.
  • Once published, you can edit the event details, change the date or time, or cancel the event at any point.

Step-by-step: Creating an event on desktop

On a computer, open Facebook and look at the left sidebar. You'll see "Events" listed below "Groups" and other options. Click "Events," then look for a button that says "Create Event" — it's usually near the top of the page. Click it.

A form will open with fields for event name, start date, start time, end date, end time, location, and description. Fill in at least the event name and start date, then scroll down. You'll see three options for who can see the event: "Public," "Private," or "Invite Only." Choose one. Public events show up in search results and on your profile; private events only appear to people you invite; invite-only events are the same as private but you manually select each guest instead of letting people request to join.

After you choose the privacy setting, click "Create Event." The event is now live. You can add a cover photo by clicking the camera icon, write a longer description, and invite people by searching for their names or selecting from your friends list.

Step-by-step: Creating an event on mobile

On your phone, open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap "Events." At the top of the screen, you'll see a "Create" button or a plus icon. Tap it.

The same form appears, but it's formatted for a smaller screen. Enter the event name, date, and time by tapping each field. Scroll down to find the location field and privacy setting. Once you've filled in the basics, tap "Create Event" at the bottom. You can then add a photo, description, and guests the same way you would on desktop.

Setting the right privacy level for your event

The privacy setting determines who can find and join your event, so choose based on who you want to attend. A public event appears in Facebook's event search, on your profile, and in the News Feeds of your friends. Anyone can see the guest list and join without your permission. Use this for events you want to promote widely — concerts, community fundraisers, or open classes.

A private event only shows up for people you invite, but they can request to join if they see it mentioned elsewhere. The guest list is hidden from non-invited people. Use this for events where you want to control the guest list but don't mind if someone asks to come.

An invite-only event is the most restrictive. Only people you manually invite can see it, and they cannot request to join. Use this for personal events like birthday parties, family gatherings, or closed group meetings.

Adding details after you publish

You don't need a complete event description, cover photo, or full guest list before you publish. Many people create the event first, then add details as they plan. To edit an event after it's live, click or tap the event, then look for an "Edit" button or pencil icon.

From the edit screen, you can change the name, date, time, location, and description. You can also add or remove guests, change the cover photo, and update the privacy setting. If you need to cancel the event entirely, there's a "Cancel Event" option in the same menu. Guests will be notified of any changes you make.

Inviting people to your event

After you create the event, you'll see an "Invite" button or section. Click it and search for friends by name, or scroll through your friends list and tap each person you want to invite. You can also copy the event link and share it in a message or post if you want to invite people who aren't on your friends list.

For public events, people can also find and join on their own without an invitation. For private and invite-only events, you control who gets invited, but people can still request to join a private event if they hear about it from someone else.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is setting the wrong privacy level. If you create a private event thinking it's invite-only, people can request to join, which may not be what you want. Double-check the privacy setting before you publish, especially for personal events.

Another mistake is forgetting to set the correct time zone. Facebook uses your account's time zone by default, so if you've traveled or moved, the event time might be off by several hours. Check the time zone setting in your event details if guests are confused about when to arrive.

A third issue is not adding a location. If you leave the location blank, guests won't know where to go, and Facebook won't show the event on location-based searches. Even if the event is online, type "Online" or the video call platform name so people know what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the event date or time after I publish it?

Yes. Click or tap the event, find the "Edit" button, and change the date or time. All invited guests will be notified of the change. If the event has already started, you can still edit it, but guests won't receive a notification.

What happens if I delete an event?

The event disappears from Facebook and all guests are notified that it's been canceled. If you want to keep the event but mark it as canceled, use the "Cancel Event" option instead of deleting it — this sends a cancellation notice to all guests.

Can people share my private event with others?

Yes. Even though a private event is only visible to invited guests, they can share the event link or tell others about it. If you want to prevent this, use invite-only instead, which restricts visibility more strictly.

Do I need a Facebook Page to create an event?

No. You can create events from your personal profile. However, if you manage a Facebook Page for a business or organization, you can also create events from the Page itself, which is useful for promoting events to your followers.

Can I create a recurring event?

Facebook doesn't have a built-in recurring event feature. You'll need to create separate events for each date. Some people create one main event and mention the recurring dates in the description, or they create a series of events with similar names.