From farmers markets to food festivals, art exhibitions and how-to workshops, local community events are often the lifeblood of thriving neighbourhoods.
Researchers have investigated how often people visit and actively participate in local events and how this affects their sense of place or their connection to their community.
A survey of almost 400 households found that people who frequently attend local events or participate as volunteers, organisers or exhibitors, have a stronger sense of place, meaning their neighbourhood is important to them and they feel connected to the area.
Those who regularly attend local events are also likely to be more satisfied with their neighbourhood and are more willing to live there longer. While owning a home or living there are influential factors in a person developing a sense of place, this study found that regularly attending local events had a greater impact on fostering a sense of place than length of residency and home ownership.
Social benefits are particularly important to rebuilding local communities after the pandemic, during which social connections and broader community life were affected by lockdowns and social distancing measures.
Popular local events can also become attractions for visitors by showcasing the culture of the area. By contributing to the uniqueness of places, events are well positioned to play an essential role in developing the tourism sector of urban and regional destinations.
We still need to further our understanding of the role that events play in social sustainability. Understanding how events can help build socially sustainable communities is vital in justifying government investment in local events.