Top WordPress Calendar Plugins: Free & Premium Options

Missed appointments. Double-bookings. Confused attendees. Running events through WordPress shouldn’t feel complex. A poor user interface with improper functionality can confuse the attendees leading to missed events. But with the right calendar and event plugins, all these problems can be solved.

In this blog, we’ll cover the best calendar plugin you can use for your WordPress site. We’ll check out the basic plugin used by beginners to the advanced plugin leveraged by WordPress development companies. We’ll also cover how you can choose the right calendar plugin for your WordPress website. So, with no further ado, let’s get started!

Best Calendar Plugin for WordPress

A good calendar plugin should make your life easier, not add more work. Whether you’re listing events, taking bookings, or just sharing schedules, the right tool keeps everything running smoothly. Let’s look at plugins that work in real-world situations.

1. The Events Calendar

Best for: Event organizers, nonprofits, and businesses managing workshops, concerts, or meetups.

The Events Calendar is a go-to plugin for anyone needing a simple yet powerful way to manage events on WordPress. It lets you create, organize, and display events in a clean calendar layout—no technical skills required. Perfect for listing concerts, classes, or community gatherings.

It works smoothly with most themes and even supports Google Calendar sync, so you won’t miss a beat. While the free version covers basics, the premium version unlocks advanced features like ticket sales and recurring events. If you want a hassle-free event calendar, this is it.

Key Features:

• Easy event creation: Add events quickly with a user-friendly dashboard
• Multiple views: Display events in month, week, list, or day formats
• Google Calendar sync: Keep events updated across platforms automatically
• Venue & organizer management: Store locations and host details for reuse
• Recurring events (Premium): Set repeating events without manual entries
• Widgets & shortcodes: Embed calendars anywhere on your site
• Mobile-friendly: Works seamlessly on phones and tablets

Pricing:

• Free version: Yes (covers basic event management).
• Premium: Starts at $149/year (adds tickets, recurring events, and more).

Verdict: If you need a reliable, no-fuss calendar for events, this plugin delivers. The free version is great for starters, but if you need ticketing or recurring events, you’ll want the premium upgrade.

Next Step: Try the free version | Explore premium plans

2. Sugar Calendar Lite

Best for: Small businesses, bloggers, and solopreneurs who need a simple, no-frills event calendar.

Sugar Calendar Lite keeps things refreshingly simple. If you’re tired of bloated calendar plugins, this one cuts the clutter while still delivering core functionality. It handles basic event management beautifully—perfect for publishing office hours, class schedules, or content calendars.

The clean interface makes it easy to add and manage events, and it plays nicely with most WordPress themes. While it doesn’t have fancy booking features, it’s ideal for those who just need to display events without complications. The premium version adds more power, but the free version covers the essentials well.

Key Features:

• Simple event creation: Add events in seconds with minimal fields
• Color-coded events: Visually organize different event types
• Recurring events: Set repeating schedules without duplicate entries
• Shortcode support: Embed your calendar anywhere on your site
• Mobile-responsive: Looks good on all devices
• Taxonomy support: Categorize events with custom labels
• Lightweight code: Won’t slow down your site

Pricing:

• Free version: Yes (covers all basic calendar needs)
• Premium: Starts at $49.50/year (adds advanced features like Google Calendar sync)

Verdict: This is your best bet if you want a calendar that “just works” without overwhelming options. The free version handles basics perfectly, while the premium is worth it if you need deeper integrations.

Next Step: Get the free version | Explore premium plans

3. My Calendar

Best for: Small businesses, community groups, and bloggers who need a flexible, customizable event calendar.

My Calendar is a versatile, no-nonsense plugin that balances simplicity with powerful customization. It’s perfect for displaying events, classes, or schedules without overwhelming you with complex settings. The interface is straightforward, but don’t let that fool you—it packs in smart features like recurring events, location management, and multi-day support.

Whether you’re listing weekly meetups or seasonal workshops, My Calendar adapts to your needs. It’s lightweight, plays well with most themes, and even offers front-end event submissions (great for community-run calendars). The free version covers the essentials, while the premium unlocks deeper control.

Key Features:

• Multiple calendar views: Switch between month, week, or day layouts
• Recurring events: Set repeating schedules with custom patterns
• Location manager: Save venues and display maps (Google Maps compatible)
• Front-end submissions: Let users submit events without admin access
• Customizable templates: Style events to match your brand
• Accessibility-ready: Follows WCAG standards for better usability
• Export/import: Move events via CSV or iCal

Pricing:

• Free version: Yes (robust core features included)
• Premium: Starts at $69/year (adds advanced templates, permissions, and more)

Verdict: If you need a customizable calendar that grows with your needs, My Calendar delivers. The free version works great for most users, while the premium is ideal for multi-user sites or advanced styling.

Next Step: Try the free version | Explore premium plans

4. WP Booking Calendar

Best for: Service-based businesses, consultants, and rental companies that need appointment scheduling or reservation management.

WP Booking Calendar is a straightforward solution for businesses that take bookings. Whether you’re a consultant, fitness trainer, or vacation rental owner, this plugin lets customers check availability and book appointments directly from your site.

It’s not the fanciest calendar out there, but it gets the job done without complicated setup. The free version handles basic bookings, while the premium version unlocks features like payments and multiple calendars. If you need a no-fuss way to manage appointments, this is worth a look.

Key Features:

• Simple booking form: Customers can check availability and book instantly
• Email notifications: Automatic alerts for new bookings
• Multiple calendar views: Day, week, or month layouts
• Shortcode support: Add booking forms anywhere on your site
• Basic availability management: Set open/closed times

Pricing:

• Free version: Yes (handles 1 calendar with basic features)
• Premium: Starts at $39/year (adds unlimited calendars, payments, and more)

Verdict: Good for basic booking needs, but lacks some polish. The free version works for solo professionals, while growing businesses will need premium.

Next Step: Try the free version | Explore premium plans

5. All-in-One Events Calendar

Best for: Event managers, universities, and organizations needing a powerful yet user-friendly calendar solution.

The All-in-One Events Calendar is a robust plugin that makes event management surprisingly simple. It’s perfect for schools, nonprofits, or businesses hosting multiple events. The interface feels familiar, similar to Google Calendar, so you’ll get the hang of it quickly.

What makes it stand out is its flexibility—you can show events in multiple views, allow user submissions, and even sync with external calendars. While the free version covers basics well, the premium takes it further with ticket sales and advanced filtering. If you need a professional calendar that doesn’t require tech skills, this one delivers.

Key Features:

• Google Calendar-like interface: Intuitive and easy to navigate
• Multiple display views: Day, week, month, or agenda layouts
• Recurring events: Set repeating schedules with custom patterns
• Calendar syncing: Import/export with Google Calendar and iCal
• Venue management: Save locations for reuse across events
• Front-end submissions: Let users submit events (great for communities)
• Responsive design: Works perfectly on mobile devices

Pricing:

• Free version: Yes (covers essential event management)
• Premium: Starts at $9/month (adds tickets, WooCommerce integration, and more)

Verdict: A top choice if you need a professional calendar that balances power with simplicity. The free version works for most, while the premium is worth it for ticketing and advanced features.

Next Step: Try the free version | Check premium options

6. Calendarize It!

Best for: Businesses and agencies needing a highly customizable, visually appealing event calendar.

Calendarize It! stands out for its stunning design flexibility and powerful filtering options. If you want a calendar that doesn’t look like every other WordPress plugin, this is your go-to. It’s perfect for restaurants, event venues, or agencies that want to showcase schedules in style.

The plugin plays well with Visual Composer and offers unique views like masonry grids and timeline layouts. While it has a learning curve, the results are worth it—you get a calendar that actually matches your brand’s aesthetic.

Key Features:

• 10+ unique calendar layouts: From grids to horizontal timelines
• Advanced filtering system: Let users sort events by category, tag, or custom fields
• Visual Composer integration: Drag-and-drop calendar building
• Custom event fields: Add extra details like prices or performers
• Ajax loading: Smooth browsing without page refreshes
• Booking system: Accept reservations directly (premium feature)

Pricing:

• Free version: No
• Premium: $25 (+7.50 for extending support up to 12 months)

Verdict: The best choice for design-focused sites but might be overkill for simple event listings. If you need a calendar that wows visually, it’s worth the investment.

Next Step: View demo | Purchase plugin

7. Elfsight Event Calendar

Best for: Small businesses, bloggers, and creatives who want a stylish, no-code calendar solution.

Elfsight Event Calendar is perfect when you need something that looks great without any technical hassle. This drag-and-drop widget lets you add a professional calendar anywhere on your site in minutes. It’s cloud-based, so updates happen automatically—no manual plugin updates needed.

While it doesn’t integrate deeply with WordPress like other plugins, its simplicity is its strength. The free version works for basic needs, but the premium unlocks more design control. Ideal for cafes, artists, or anyone who prioritizes looks and ease-of-use over advanced features.

Key Features:

• 10+ modern templates: Instantly good-looking designs
• Google Calendar sync: Auto-updates your events
• Mobile-optimized: Perfectly responsive on all devices
• Social media integration: Add Facebook/Instagram events
• Color customization: Match your brand in clicks
• Recurring events: Set repeating schedules easily
• Popup event details: Clean, interactive displays

Pricing:

• Free version: Yes (with Elfsight branding)
• Premium: Starts at $5/month (branding removal + advanced features)

Verdict: The easiest way to add a beautiful calendar, but it lacks deeper WordPress integration. Best for visually focused sites that need quick setup.

Next Step: See premium plans

8. Simple Calendar

Best for: Small businesses, teams, and bloggers who need a clean Google Calendar integration without complexity.

Simple Calendar does one thing brilliantly—it pulls events from your Google Calendar and displays them beautifully on your WordPress site. No fuss, no complicated settings. Just connect your Google account, and your events appear automatically.

It’s perfect for offices, schools, or anyone who already uses Google Calendar and wants to share their schedule publicly. The free version works great for basic needs, while the premium adds features like event filtering. If you want a “set it and forget it” calendar, this is your best bet.

Key Features:

• Automatic Google Calendar sync: Events update in real-time
• Multiple calendar views: Month, week, or list layouts
• Customizable colors: Match your brand in seconds
• Mobile-friendly: Looks great on any device
• Shortcode support: Add calendars anywhere
• Recurring events: Shows all instances automatically
• Time zone support: Perfect for global teams

Pricing:

• Free version: Yes (works with basic Google Calendar sync)
• Premium: Starts at $99/year (adds advanced features)

Verdict: The simplest way to display Google Calendar events on WordPress. The free version covers the basics well; upgrade only if you need extra control.

Next Step: Try the demo | See premium plans

9. Modern Events Calendar

Best for: Event professionals, universities, and businesses needing a feature-packed calendar with booking capabilities.

Modern Events Calendar is a powerhouse that handles everything from simple event listings to complex booking systems. It’s packed with smart features like ticket sales, recurring events, and Google Maps integration—all while keeping the interface user-friendly.

The free version is surprisingly robust, but premium unlocks next-level tools like WooCommerce integration and advanced filtering. Whether you’re running a conference, fitness studio, or community center, this plugin grows with your needs. The learning curve is steeper than basic calendars, but the payoff is worth it for serious event managers.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop builder: Create event pages visually
• Ticket sales: Sell directly through your calendar
• Google Maps integration: Show locations with directions
• Recurring events: Set complex repeating schedules
• Multiple views: Day, week, month, list, and more
• Front-end submissions: Let users add events
• Weather API: Display forecast for outdoor events

Pricing:

• Free version: Yes (includes most core features)
• Premium: Starts at $99/year (adds bookings, WooCommerce, etc.)

Verdict: The most complete free calendar plugin available. Premium is essential for businesses taking bookings or selling tickets.

Next Step: Free download | Compare premium plans

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is a perfect fit for your needs. Test a couple of options to see what feels intuitive for you. With the right calendar plugin, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

How to Choose the Best Event Calendar for WordPress?

Picking the right calendar plugin can be tricky—there are so many options! The best choice depends on what you need, not just fancy features. Let’s break it down simply.

• Know your event type: A basic list works for simple schedules, but conferences need ticketing and booking. Match the plugin to your event complexity.
• Check essential features: Must-haves include mobile-friendliness, recurring events, and easy editing. Skip plugins missing your deal-breakers.
• Consider user experience: If attendees will book spots, look for intuitive forms. Clunky calendars drive people away.
• Assess customization needs: Some plugins blend with your theme easily; others need coding. Pick based on your tech comfort.
• Think about growth: Free plugins work for starters, but paid plans handle heavy traffic and advanced tools better.
• Check integration needs: If you use tools like Zoom or WooCommerce, ensure the plugin plays nice with them.
• Test before committing: Most plugins have free versions or demos. Try them to avoid buyer’s remorse.

There’s no “best for everyone” calendar—just the best for you. Prioritize your must-haves, test a few options, and go with the one that feels right.

FAQs on The Best Calendar Plugin for WordPress

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right calendar plugin isn’t about finding the most feature-packed option—it’s about what works for your needs. Whether you’re managing a handful of events or running a full-scale booking system, there’s a plugin that fits without overcomplicating things.

For simple schedules, Sugar Calendar Lite keeps things clean. Need advanced features? Modern Events Calendar handles ticketing and bookings effortlessly. And if seamless Google integration matters, Simple Calendar does the job without fuss.

The good part is that most plugins let you test-drive them for free, so you can see what clicks before committing. If you are looking to build a website, explore our list of the top WordPress development agencies. It will help you find the right partner who can align with your needs.