Creating a sense of community and fostering connections among residents can be a challenging task for property managers and apartment dwellers alike.
The key to building strong relationships and boosting resident satisfaction is through engagement and inclusive events that cater to a wide range of interests. Resident satisfaction makes tenants three times more likely to renew their leases, 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 movie nights and potlucks to fitness classes and charity drives, these ideas will bring neighbors 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 apartment community but also contribute to a more enjoyable living experience for all.
Table of Contents
Easy resident event ideas
Sometimes you need a fast, easy way to bring residents together. For 40% of onsite apartment staff teams, finding organizing time is the biggest challenge. 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. At The Palm House, 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.
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 socialize 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 summarize their assigned section and lead a group discussion.
4. Clothing swap
A clothing swap is a great way for residents to clean out their closets 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 color!
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 apartment managers 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 apartments face the sunnier and shadier sides of the building.
6. Karaoke night
Karaoke nights are always a fun way to bring neighbors together. Not only will people have the chance to belt out their favorite 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 other category of your choice.
7. Language exchange
Bringing people with different language skills together to practice 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 shier 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. Neighbor “speed dating”
Even after years of living nearby, some people don’t get to know their neighbors very well. A “speed dating” event can help people introduce themselves and create a jumping-off point for more neighborly friendships.
To get people chatting fast, you can add fun elements, like event creator Reason does with mini-puzzles at their Speed Dating Immersive: Mini Puzzles + SF Singles event in San Francisco, CA.
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 organize 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 socialize 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 favorite 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 organize. 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 pretzels or chips with dips 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 give in depth background about the different options you’ve chosen and teach attendants how to identify the different flavors.
11. Movie night
All you need for a movie night is a projector, screen, and speakers (or just a large TV). You can show movies from Netflix or rent them from the local library or video store. For a more interactive experience, consider a themed movie night with snacks that match the theme.
Of course, if you have a dedicated movie room like the National Residences use for their movie nights, that’s ideal. But you can emulate them by offering popcorn and other refreshments to complete the movie theater experience.
To allow residents to socialize, you organize a team quiz at the end of the film so everyone talks to at least a few other neighbors before they leave.
Pro tip: Get everyone excited about the movie 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 movies that’ll magnetize 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. Apartment olympics
For a competitive and active event, apartment 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 even an egg toss if you’re feeling brave!
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 apartment 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 balloon animals 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 organize teams to do some landscaping work in the community gardens or pick up litter, like event creator FTLOCC does with their Community Clean Up in Hampton, VA.
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 organize 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 specialties.
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 nerdy fun. Popular choices include classic board games such as Monopoly and Scrabble, but you could also go with something more modern like Settlers of Catan or Apples to Apples.
You could also theme your game night with different holidays or seasons. That’s what the Residences of East Lake did with their St. Patrick’s Day game night.
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 energized.
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 apartment complex coming together to help out at an organization’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 organization 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 one in seven Americans practices meditation, so hosting a mindfulness workshop could effectively capture the attention of many residents by tapping into their interests.
You could even invite a local meditation instructor to come and give your residents an overview of the basics.
While you might associate practices like mindfulness and meditation with younger people, residences like Ardency Kennedy Place host mindfulness workshops for older folks as well. Everybody can benefit from mindfulness, so why not go ahead and give it a shot?
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.
Dorm event ideas
College 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 college students together:
20. DIY workshop
College students are there to learn skills, so why not help them out with another? DIY workshops with a step-by-step guidance on topics like crafting furniture or designing jewelry 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 college 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. The Howard University Talent Show, organized by Advocates For Youth, gives its funds to support people with HIV/AIDS and also offers goodie bags and the chance to win concert tickets for participants.
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 dorm residents who share common interests. Pick something that most would be interested in, like a Harry Potter-themed night or an old school ‘90s 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 sundaes, and the students will take care of the socializing.
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.
24. Potluck night
A potluck dinner is a great way for residents to bond over shared meals. Just provide the basics like plates, utensils, and drinks, then ask each resident to bring one dish of their own. It’s best if they sign up in advance for what they plan on bringing so you know how much food will be available.
Consider pairing your potluck night with another one of the college’s clubs or interest groups to help your residents meet even more people. That’s how the West Virginia University LGBTQ+ Center’s potluck helped a wide range of students meet each other and build a stronger community.
Pro tip: To make sure the evening goes as smoothly as possible, provide some guidelines for attendees ahead of time, such as bringing their own serving utensils.
25. Yoga class
About 10% of Americans practice yoga, so your dorm likely has a few people interested in it. 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 movie tickets. You can even create custom bingo cards that feature fun facts about your college or resident hall.
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
College sports are a great way to bring people together, even if not everyone plays. Take people from your dorm to a college 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 college teams may not charge a lot, 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 lawn 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 sunscreen handy.
30. Resident rodeo
Depending on where they are from, chances are your residents have never been to a rodeo before. To give them a taste of the Wild West, host a mini-rodeo in your community! You don’t need to do any dangerous activities like bull riding, but it can still be plenty of fun.
The Wild West Fox Fest at Fox Run made its residents’ lives more exciting by providing a petting zoo, mechanical bull, food trucks, and other activities for a resident rodeo of their own. Like Fox Run, see what local vendors you can contact to provide a fun evening with a western feel.
Pro tip: Look into hiring some rodeo professionals that can teach residents how to be cowpokes themselves. Whether it’s riding a mechanical bull with one hand or learning how to tie and use a lasso, there are plenty of fun activities you could offer.
How to make your resident events stand out
Whether you’re looking to entertain college students, help your apartment 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.
