Joining online Facebook events has become increasingly common, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic limited in-person gatherings. Facebook events allow users to publicize, organize, and participate in events entirely online. Joining these online events can help you stay connected with friends, family, and groups while staying home.
The process for joining an online Facebook event is quite simple. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through step-by-step how to find, view, and join Facebook events online from both desktop and mobile. We will also cover tips for interacting within online events and getting the most out of your virtual event experience.
Prerequisites for Joining Online Facebook Events
Before joining any online Facebook events, you need:
- An active Facebook account
- To be friends with or follow the event host on Facebook
- The Facebook app installed on your device (for mobile)
- An Internet connection
If you do not already have a Facebook account, you will need to sign up for one through the Facebook website or mobile app. Make sure your account is fully set up and activated before attempting to join events.
You also need to be friends with or follow the creator of the Facebook event on the platform. This allows you to see events that person has organized in your News Feed or Events tab. If you receive an invite to an event hosted by someone you aren’t connected to, you can still join by following the link or searching for the event.
Additionally, make sure you have installed the latest version of the Facebook mobile app to join events from your iOS or Android device. The app allows you to get notifications about upcoming events, RSVP, and easily access online events.
Finally, you need an active Internet connection to join virtual events, whether on desktop or mobile. For optimal performance, connect to a stable, high-speed WiFi or cellular data network. This ensures you can smoothly participate in any live streamed or interactive elements of the online event.
Finding Online Facebook Events to Join
Facebook makes it simple to discover relevant online events to join. Here are the top ways to find online events on Facebook:
Events Tab/Section
The Events tab or events section of the sidebar menu lists online and in-person events recommended for you based on your location, interests, groups, and friends. Browse featured events on the main Events page or filter by category. You can also search for specific events, groups, or locations.
News Feed
Upcoming events created by your friends and followed Pages will automatically appear in your News Feed. Scroll through recent posts to see online events you may be interested in joining. You can set notification preferences to highlight event posts in your feed.
Facebook Search Bar
Use the Facebook search bar to manually search for relevant online events. Try searching by keyword, event name, location, host name, or Pages your friends have RSVPed to. The search will return matching online events.
Facebook Group Suggestions
Join Facebook Groups related to your interests, hobbies, or causes. Group members frequently create online events for members to participate in. Check the Group’s Events section or News Feed discussion.
Event Invitations/Recommendations
You may receive online event invites directly from friends on Facebook or see suggestions to join events friends have RSVPed to. This allows you to easily join relevant online events within your social circles.
External Event Listings Sites
Sites like Eventbrite and Meetup synchronize events with Facebook. You can browse online events on these sites and then join through your Facebook account. The event will automatically be added to your Facebook calendar.
Using these discovery methods makes finding and joining interesting online events much easier. Take advantage of Facebook’s event recommendations so you never miss important virtual events.
How to Join an Online Facebook Event on Desktop
If you are accessing Facebook from a desktop computer, here are the steps to join an online event:
Step 1: Find the Online Event
Use any of the methods listed above to find an online Facebook event you want to join. You can search for the event by name or browse the Events tab for suggestions.
Step 2: Click on the Event
Once you have found an online event, click on the name or featured image to open the Event Details page. This will bring up comprehensive information about the event.
Step 3: Click “Going” or “Interested”
On the Event Details page, click the “Going” button if you plan to attend the online event. Click “Interested” if you are still deciding. This will add the event to your Facebook calendar.
Step 4: Enable Event Notifications
To get reminders about the online event, click the “Follow this event” link on desktop. This ensures you get notified as new information is posted about the event.
Step 5: Add Event to Calendar
In the “Add to Calendar” dropdown menu, choose the calendar app you want to export the online event details to. This adds the event to your external calendar with relevant info pre-populated.
Once you click “Going” and enable notifications, you will be successfully joined and ready for the online event!
How to Join an Online Facebook Event on Mobile
You can also easily join online Facebook events right from the Facebook mobile app. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Tap the Events Icon
Open the Facebook app and tap the “Events” tab icon at the bottom to browse events. This will display the Events page.
Step 2: Search for the Event
From the Events page, you can scroll through suggestions or use the search bar to find a specific online event by name, host, location, etc.
Step 3: Tap the Event
Tap on the online event you want to join to open up the Event Details page and view more info.
Step 4: Tap “Going” or “Interested”
Tap the “Going” button if you plan to participate in the event live. Tap “Interested” if you still aren’t sure.
Step 5: Turn on Notifications
On the Event Details page, tap “Turn on” next to “Notifications” to get updates as new details are posted about the online event.
Step 6: Add to Calendar
Tap the “Add to Calendar” button and select which external calendar you want to save the event details to.
The online event is now added to your Facebook and external calendars. You will get all the latest news leading up to the event!
Tips for Participating in Online Facebook Events
Here are some top tips to help you get the most out of online Facebook events:
- Join 5-10 minutes early to test your audio/video and address any technical issues before the event goes live.
- Silence notifications and close unneeded browser tabs/apps to minimize distractions.
- If possible, use wired internet for faster speeds and to avoid frozen video.
- Engage with any interactive features like polls, Q&As, and chat boxes.
- Comment and react to the live video stream if available.
- Stay to the end for post-event networking and follow ups.
- Share feedback and reviews after the event ends.
Actively participating helps build connections and get more value from the online event. Take advantage of engagement options to connect with other attendees, ask questions, and share your experiences.
Conclusion
Joining online events is a key way Facebook users can stay in touch, learn, and be entertained while social distancing. Finding relevant online events is easy thanks to Facebook’s robust recommendations and search tools. RSVPing only takes a couple taps whether you are on desktop or mobile.
Enable notifications and export event details to your external calendar so you never miss the start time. Arrive early, engage actively in the event features, and stick around to the end to have the best experience. Following this guide will help you seamlessly join any online Facebook event and fully participate.