📆 Why There’s No Central Event Calendar (And Why That’s Totally Fine)

Every so often, someone messages me with the same idea: “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we had a (shared) calendar with all the events in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?” It’s something that comes up regularly, and it was mentioned a couple of times in the recent survey too.

And honestly? I get it. The idea sounds great: one place to see everything happening around town, from beach volleyball to rooftop cinema nights. But after trying (more than once) to make this work (along with a few brave souls who tried their own versions) I’ve come to a conclusion:

It’s not that we don’t want it. It’s just that it doesn’t work in practice.
Let me explain why, and what we can do instead.

🧩 Scenario 1: I Build and Maintain the Calendar Myself

This version looks something like this: I collect events, add them to a shared calendar, and keep everything updated so you always know what’s happening and when.

But the reality is a bit messier.

Event details change. Sometimes just the time. Sometimes the entire location. Occasionally, the event vanishes altogether. Unless I check and double-check every single update (which I don’t have the time to do) it’s very easy for things to become outdated.

And when that happens? People understandably get frustrated. But the person they turn to is… usually me.

So in the end, this model isn’t sustainable. It creates more confusion than clarity, and way too much pressure on one person.

🔓 Scenario 2: A Shared, Open Calendar for Everyone

You might think: why not make it collaborative? Let everyone add their own events! Community-powered and self-updating!

We tried that too.

Here’s what actually happened:

• Most people don’t take the time to add their event; it’s another platform to share an event
• Those who did, regularly forgot to update their event when something changes
• And after a while, the calendar is either empty or full of outdated info

Again, the intention is great, but the follow-through just doesn’t happen. And even when the calendar is open, people still expect someone (yours truly) to keep it tidy and up to date. Just like in the first scenario — it would still end up with me chasing down every event organizer to make sure their info stays up to date.

⏳ The Real Problem: Too Much Good Stuff

The truth is, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is full of activity. There’s always something happening! Sometimes too much to keep track of. And that’s part of what makes this place special.

But it also means that no one (not even with the best spreadsheet in the world) can keep up with it all. Events pop up, change, or disappear with very little notice. And a lot of the fun happens spontaneously, in Slack, by word of mouth, semi-private social groups, or just by showing up at the right place at the right time.

So rather than trying to force everything into one neat list, I’ve accepted that the beauty of our scene is its flexibility. And I’d rather embrace that than burn out trying to keep a calendar up-to-date by the minute. It’s just not worth the time and energy.

✅ What You Can Count On

That said, there are a few events that happen regularly and are easy to plan around. Here’s what we’ve got on semi-reliable rotation:

🏐 Sunday social/volleyball — Weekly, casual, and easy to join
🍹 Thursday aperitivo — A regular hangout with friendly faces
🎶 Tuesday San Remo — Our weekly community meetup

These events are low-maintenance and consistent enough that they’ve become weekly staples. If that changes, I’ll let you know!

🌱 What We Can Do Instead

Instead of chasing a master calendar, let’s keep things simple and human:

• Ask in the community what’s happening this week
• Share what you’re planning in Slack
• Invite others along, even last-minute
• Be open to spontaneity

In the end, the best events usually aren’t the ones you find on a calendar! They’re the ones you stumble into, or the ones someone casually invites you to over coffee. And that works just fine.

💬 Want more social meetups? Start one!

If there’s something you’d love to see happening (a language exchange, a casual hike, a sunset swim, a Thursday tapas crawl) don’t wait for someone else to post it. You’re more than welcome to start it yourself. Some of our best meetups began with a simple “Hey, anyone up for…?” You don’t need a guest list or a poster. Just pick a time, share it, and see who bites.

And remember: more than 80% of the interaction in this community happens in private messages. It might look like only one person reacted to that post about getting drinks — but you’d be surprised what’s happening behind the curtain. A lot of the magic here is quiet, casual, and one-on-one.

🙌 Thanks for Being Part of It

This community works because people keep showing up — with ideas, invites, last-minute plans, and “anyone want to…?” messages. Not everything needs to be organised or official. Sometimes the best meetups start with a coffee and end with ten people at the beach.

So whether you’re hosting something or just tagging along, thanks for being part of it. Keep it casual, keep it fun, and keep asking each other: what’s going on this week?

💡 Want to Start an Event Calender Anyway? Go for It (But Count Me Out)

If reading this makes you feel inspired to give the calendar idea another go, amazing! Seriously, go for it. It’s a great initiative and I fully support anyone who wants to take it on! Just a little heads-up: I won’t be involved in managing or maintaining it. Learned that lesson the hard way! But if you build it and it works, I’ll be the first to cheer you on!