Mother’s Day is on the 19th of March, and it’s the perfect time to pamper mum.
As an event creator, Mother’s Day gives you the perfect opportunity to organise in-person and virtual events where people can celebrate. We’ve come up with some Mother’s Day event ideas to help your attendees express their appreciation for the mother figures in their lives.
How do I organise Mother’s Day events?
Thinking about your audience is an excellent place to start. By their very nature, Mother’s Day events should focus on mums and motherhood, but these words can mean different things to different people. Your event can reflect that. Think more broadly about the caregivers in our society – they include biological mothers, stepmothers, adopted mothers, foster mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunties, single mothers, and more.
Inclusion and diversity at your event
Hosting free Mother’s Day events is a wonderful way to unite your community. Make sure everyone can access your event, and that cultural diversity is respected – accessible and inclusive events mean no one is left out, which helps you gain credibility as a responsible event planner.
Not everyone can attend in-person events, so you can also consider a virtual event.
Plan community events
Since Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to plan community events, you could consider working with local businesses or partnering with local craftspeople. It’s a way of enhancing your event’s quality and can help benefit the wider community.
With all that in mind, we’ve come up with many ideas for hosting a Mother’s Day event that you can adapt to ensure attendees have the best experience.
5 Mother’s Day event promotion ideas
Your Mother’s Day event will be one of many in town. You’ll have competition, so you want to promote your event well before the 19th of March. Here are a few ways to inform attendees about your upcoming event.
Get the timing right
Timing is everything. You don’t want to start promoting your event in January, but you also don’t want to wait until the week before the big day. By then, people often already have plans. Promoting your event a month or so beforehand gives everyone a chance to mark it on their calendars.
Create an email series
Creating an email series lets attendees know about your upcoming Mother’s Day event and reminds them when the date is getting close. While you want to avoid inundating event-goers with too many emails, sending an announcement a month or so before the date is a good idea. A few reminders during the lead-up ensure your guests remember and reserve the date.
Promote local events offline
Flyers can help you advertise community events. Posters are also an effective way to let attendees know about residents’ events.
Organise a social media takeover
Working with familiar brands, you can organise a social media takeover. You can temporarily post content about your Mother’s Day event on the various brands’ profiles. It allows you to reach a larger target audience.
Host a giveaway
Giveaways grab people’s attention. You can offer giveaways that require entrants to share the event with their friends. Another idea is to enter every ticket holder into a giveaway.
Unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day
You can host many events to celebrate – here’s a selection of unique Mother’s Day activities to get you thinking.
1. Cooking or baking masterclass
A cooking or baking demonstration gives guests the chance to learn new recipes and sample the results. Invite local chefs to provide a masterclass themed around a specific cuisine, like this Italian Mother’s Day Cooking Class.
2. Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is the perfect treat. If the mums you’re catering to enjoy wine, serve your sandwiches and scones with a glass of prosecco. Put a twist on your event like The Liquorists, for an afternoon tea with cocktails instead.
3. Mother’s Day brunch
Brunch has become more popular than ever, and depending on your guests, bottomless brunch is even better. Choose a brunch that caters to the interests of the mums you’re treating, such as a musical-themed brunch like the one that Rialto Plaza is hosting.
4. Pop-up shops and displays
Allow businesses to tempt your guests by showcasing their products. Local shops selling clothes, jewellery, and crafts all work well here.
5. Wine tasting
Wine-tasting events lend themselves to Mother’s Day. Take inspiration from creators such as Winfield Wines, who host a wine-tasting event that’s accompanied by a three-course lunch.
6. Cocktail class
Dust off those cocktail shakers. Invite a mixologist to teach your guests the latest cocktail recipes.
7. Gin making
Flavoured gins are all the rage. Provide tasters and recipes, or better still, partner with a local distillery to host a gin-making class.
8. Foods from around the world
To celebrate different cultures, invite local suppliers to set up food stalls. Negotiate so that mum gets a special treat.
9. Pamper session
Mums deserve some downtime, and who doesn’t enjoy some pampering? Work with local businesses to provide pampering treats such as pedicures and manicures, makeup classes, or massages.
10. Dance workshops
Teach mums some new moves, and have a few giggles, with the help of an instructor and a local venue.
11. Karaoke
Allow mums to take centre stage, whether in person or at home. An old-fashioned sing-along is a crowd-pleaser, too.
12. Dinner cruise
Organise a river cruise or partner with a business offering boat trips to give mums a unique dining experience.
13. Art exhibition
Host an art exhibition focusing on parenthood or caregiving.
Mother’s Day craft event ideas
Creating something together is a special experience. Here are some ideas to help you plan your Mother’s Day event.
1. Flower arranging
Spring is in the air, and nothing says Mother’s Day like fresh-cut flowers. Work with your local garden centre to give a demonstration where every mum gets a discounted plant or packet of seeds.
2. Gardening masterclass
In the same way, organise a gardening masterclass with an expert on hand to give mums useful tips and advice.
3. Pottery painting
Pottery painting is a lovely way to get the whole family involved. The ticket price can include decorating an item of pottery to take home.
4. Painting class
A painting class lets attendees have fun and get creative. Mel Spence is hosting a Mother’s Day “wine and watercolour” set in her garden studio location with additional guided tuition and spa music for complete relaxation.
5. Soap or candle-making class
Scented candles and soap make treasured gifts. Provide an instructor and all the ingredients for this relaxing activity. Combining it with lunch makes the day extra special.
6. Scrapbooking workshops
Encourage mums to bring in their family photos. They can organise old albums and create new ones while enjoying memories and having a few laughs.
7. Sewing lessons
Bring in an instructor to teach mums new stitches and sewing techniques.
8. Printmaking classes
Teach mums and attendees how to print using traditional techniques. Guests can make creative and original Mother’s Day cards.
Mother’s Day community event ideas
Bring the entire community together with these fun Mother’s Day event ideas.
1. Mother’s Day community events
Toyin is hosting an indoor market for guests to purchase gifts for the mother figures in their life. Attendees will be able to browse gifts on offer from independent vendors, choosing from jewellery, ceramics and clothing.
Meanwhile, Millian Market has organised a Mother’s Day special Afro-Caribbean Market event in London, with vendors selling unique products not typically found on the high street. The event includes cocktails and food, as well as a raffle and giveaways. Perks like these create more of a draw for guests who want to support local businesses.
Big Fish Little Fish is also hosting a Mother’s Day Flower Power-themed rave for all the family. There is a multi-sensory play area for kids, a face painter, a DJ and a licensed bar.
2. Film screening
Watching a film together is a bonding experience. Screen a movie that resonates with your audience. Popcorn and hot dogs are optional.
3. Farmers’ market
Whether indoors or outdoors, farmers’ markets can be a great way to showcase local produce and for mums to pick up a few treats. Make sure there are lots of tasty snacks to sample, too.
4. Yappy hour
Mums often view their dogs as family members. Celebrate pet parents in the community by hosting a dog-friendly event.
5. Mother’s Day fun run
Pick a local charity and organise a short fun run. Event attendees can help raise money for charity while enjoying themselves and exercising.
6. Nature trail
Organise a nature walk in a garden or park that families can enjoy together.
7. Charity fashion show
Raise funds for a relevant, local charity with a fashion show celebrating mums. The theme can be maternity wear and aimed at mums-to-be.
Mother’s Day resident event ideas
Here are some ideas for residents of sheltered housing or assisted living facilities.
1. Keep fit class
Host an exercise class for mums who prefer the more active approach to blow off steam. Aerobics, step, Zumba? Think about what your guests might like, recruit local instructors, and turn up the volume.
2. Mother’s Day raffle
Offer entertainment and prizes for your Mother’s Day event. This can generate excitement and encourage participation.
3. Celebratory BBQ
Set up a BBQ with tables and umbrellas so attendees can socialise before, during, and after the meal.
4. Iced tea bar
Setting up an iced tea bar is a more relaxed version of afternoon tea. Residents can chat over the icy beverage.
5. Celebrate with sundaes
It’s easy to get everyone to connect over ice cream sundaes. Don’t forget to bring the toppings!
6. Game night
Think of games older residents will enjoy. Some examples include bingo, bridge, and rummy.
Virtual Mother’s Day event ideas for special experiences at home
Many in-person events can be adapted to accommodate your virtual guests, but here are a few more ways to get them involved.
1. Offer Mother’s Day treats
A cooking class is a good opportunity to learn new techniques, even for mums who are already whizzes in the kitchen. Migrateful offer cooking courses taught by migrants who want to share their culture and cuisine, and teach attendees how to prepare a delicious meat or plant-based meal. Participants get the ingredients list several days before the class so they can source everything they need. Then, on the day of, they can simply log into the Zoom class and get cooking.
2. Online retreat
Most people need some extra relaxation these days. Creators such as Mindfullybeing responded to that need by creating a virtual mindfulness retreat. They deliver guided mindfulness practice, including yoga and tai chi.
3. Virtual Mother’s Day bingo
Themed events are a fun way to celebrate holidays. Bingo is a popular game to host online, but you could also consider hosting other Mother’s Day games, from Scrabble tournaments to “poker nights”.
4. Virtual brunch
Before the event, send a list of tasty recipes and liaise with local businesses for concessions on ingredients.
5. Cheese tasting
Cheese and Mother’s Day might not be your first thought but take inspiration from The Courtyard Dairy’s virtual cheese tasting. Send attendees the cheese they’ll be sampling ahead of time and consider including ideas for other food and drink accompaniments.
6. Virtual relaxation session
Invite mums to partake in mindfulness in the comfort of their own homes. Partner with an instructor who can lead the session and give relaxation tips. Providing goodies such as candles or essential oils helps to set the scene.
7. Yoga class
Led by a yoga teacher, your guests can learn how to master the moves and breathing that bring inner peace.
8. Virtual exercise class
Livestream a session where mums can work out together. Remember to cater to all abilities and include time for a cooldown.
9. Virtual Mother’s Day shop
Help attendees pick the perfect Mother’s Day gift with a virtual shop.
10. Panel discussion
Bring panellists together to discuss topics relevant to motherhood.
Online cultural Mother’s Day event ideas
Celebrate different cultures with these Mother’s Day event ideas.
1. Expert speakers
Whether it’s a local historian or an intrepid traveller, listening to a passionate speaker brings attendees on the journey without having to leave their living rooms.
2. Literary event
Reading is the perfect way for mums to get time to themselves. Invite an author to read to guests, or host a book appreciation event.
3. Virtual concert
Livestream local musicians or singers to bring the community together around mums.
4. Online quiz
Theme your quiz around mums or influential women. Think of fun prizes for the winners or pledge to donate to a chosen charity.
5. Virtual photographic exhibition
Choose a topic you know your guests will enjoy. Better still, ask them to send in photographs and stage an online exhibition.
Mother’s Day online workshop ideas
Here are some fun ideas to engage mums online during their special day.
1. Jewellery-making class
Jewellery making is a way for mums to treat themselves or for others to make them something special. Send attendees the materials needed and help them get creative.
2. Beauty masterclass
Host an online class with hair and makeup tips for mums of all ages. Free samples of products always go down well.
3. Fashion tips
Invite local businesses to give fashion advice and tips on the latest trends. Livestream a fashion show, and your virtual guests will feel like they’ve got a front-row seat.
4. Flower fun
You can involve flowers online, too. Take inspiration from The Wild Artizen who hosts dried flower wreath workshops online. Send your floral kits to participants’ doors before the event.
5. Virtual crafting for kids
Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate family connections, so it makes sense to get the kids involved too. Host a virtual crafting event where kids can make gifts for the important women in their lives.
6. Vegan cookery class
Hold a vegan or vegetarian cookery class where mums can have fun creating new, unique, healthy dishes with their children and families, like this event by The Masala Tin.
Planning a Mother’s Day event?
Mother’s Day is a special time for families to celebrate. Sign up for Eventbrite and let us help you plan and promote a perfect Mother’s Day event.
