A recurring event works when it happens at the same time in the same place, with a simple format people can count on, and when buying a ticket for any date takes seconds. Pick a regular slot (every Thursday at 8, the first Friday of the month), keep the price easy, offer a class pass or bundle for regulars, and put several weeks on sale at once so people can plan ahead.
This guide works for an open mic night, a comedy night, a salsa or swing social, a weekly yoga or art class, a monthly concert series, a trivia night or a supper club.
Step 1: Choose a format people can count on
Regulars come back because they know what they'll get. Decide:
- The rhythm: weekly, every other week or monthly. Weekly builds habits fastest, monthly is easier to sustain.
- The time and length: "Thursdays, 7:30 to 10." Starting at the same time every week matters more than you'd think.
- The shape of the night: for an open mic, sign-up time, slot length (often 5 to 10 minutes), a host and a featured act; for a dance social, a lesson first and then open dancing; for a class, the level and what to bring.
- The cap: how many fit comfortably. A full room every week beats a half-empty big one.
Step 2: Find a venue that wants you back
Bars, cafés, breweries, bookshops, studios, community halls and restaurants often have quiet weeknights and love a regular crowd. Before you commit:
- Agree on the deal: a room fee, a minimum spend at the bar, a share of ticket sales, or free in exchange for the crowd you bring.
- Check sound, power and a stage or corner that works.
- Ask about holidays and private events that might bump your night, and get those dates early.
- Put the arrangement in writing, even if it's an email.
Step 3: Price it for regulars
Weekly events live on returning people, so pricing should reward coming back.
- A simple single price: easy to remember, like $10 or $15.
- A cheaper advance price than at the door, so people commit before the night.
- A class pass or bundle: 5 or 10 visits at a discount, used any week. Regulars love them, and you get paid upfront.
- Free for performers at an open mic, or a small sign-up fee that includes a drink, depending on your scene.
- Free nights can work too, with a ticket that's free but still capped, so you know who's coming.
Step 4: Put several dates on sale at once
Selling one date at a time means a new announcement every week and no way for people to plan. Instead:
- Publish the next 4 to 8 dates on one page, so people can pick a date that works.
- Add new dates every month in one go.
- Close sales a little before each start, or keep them open through the night for walk-ups.
- Turn on a waitlist for popular nights, so empty spots refill.
Step 5: Build the regulars
- Learn names. A host who says "welcome back" turns a visitor into a regular.
- Same day, same time, every time. Skipping a week costs you momentum. If you must, announce it early.
- Remind people the day before. Most "I forgot" is solved by one email.
- Make one night special each month: a featured act, a theme, a guest instructor.
- Ask regulars to bring a friend. A "bring a friend" ticket for two works well.
Step 6: Promote it once, then keep it visible
- One page with every date and one link you use everywhere.
- A standing post in your social bio, pinned to the top.
- A small poster or table card at the venue: "Every Thursday, 8 PM, scan for tickets."
- Performers, students and dancers share their own nights.
- Post photos the next day to remind everyone what they missed.
Step 7: Run each night smoothly
- Set up the same way every week. A checklist saves your memory.
- Scan tickets at the door, or check names on the list.
- For open mics, run the sign-up list visibly and keep slots on time. Fairness keeps performers coming back.
- End on time. The venue will thank you, and people come back when nights don't drag.
How to do this in Eventasaurus
- Every date on one page. Create your series, add the first night with its time, venue, capacity and tickets, then use Add dates on the sessions page. Pick a night to Copy from, choose the new dates and time slots, and decide when tickets go on sale (Right away or At a set time). Each new date copies the name, description, venue, capacity, presenters and ticket types.
- Class passes for regulars. On Passes, create a Punch Pass: a set number of classes, used any time. Each class they reserve or walk into uses one.
- Reminders every night. Attendees get a reminder email the day before their date, for every night they booked.
- Can't make it this week? Use Move date on an order. They keep the same QR codes and get a new confirmation email. Attendees can also transfer their own tickets from My Tickets.
- Waitlist on sold-out nights, with Email next in line when a spot opens.
- New season? Duplicate copies the whole series, without orders or guests, and shifts the dates.
- Check-In on your phone scans tickets at the door, even with bad signal.
Your buyers pay the ticket price, with nothing added, and free tickets carry no fee. You pay 1% per order ($1 minimum), plus Stripe's card processing. No monthly plan, which matters when your event runs every week.
FAQ
How do I start an open mic night?
Find a venue with a quiet weeknight, pick a regular time, decide slot lengths and a sign-up method, line up a host and a featured act for the first nights, and promote one page with every date. Keep it on the same night every week so performers and audiences build a habit.
How do I sell tickets for a recurring event?
Put several dates on one event page so people pick their night, and add new dates in batches. Offer a class pass or bundle for regulars. With Eventasaurus, Add dates copies a night to as many new dates as you need.
How much should I charge for a weekly event?
Keep it simple and close to what similar local nights charge. A slightly cheaper advance price and a discounted pass for regulars reward people who come back.
What's a class pass or punch pass?
A pass for a set number of visits, like 5 or 10 classes, used any week. It costs less per visit than single tickets and gets you paid upfront.
Should a weekly event be free?
It can be, especially at the start. Use free tickets with a cap, so you still know who's coming and can remind them the day before.