Can I build a customizable events calendar on my ecommerce site?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A user is exploring whether Shopify supports building a customizable events calendar that allows visitors to schedule events from predefined categories or indicate attendance, with automatic updates to attendee counts and customizable time/location fields.

Third-Party App Recommendations:

  • Several Shopify apps were suggested, including Event Calendar by Elfsight, Appointo, Tipo Appointment Booking, and Cowlendar
  • BookThatApp was highlighted for event scheduling with activity booking widgets and event calendar features

Elfsight Capabilities & Limitations:

  • :white_check_mark: Can display events with custom time/location fields and categories
  • :white_check_mark: Supports RSVP-style attendance indication
  • :cross_mark: Does not auto-update attendee numbers visibly
  • :cross_mark: Not designed for user-created event scheduling

Current Status:
The original poster acknowledged the app suggestions but indicated they may need to build a custom solution to match their exact vision. The discussion remains open with no final decision made on whether to use existing apps or develop a custom calendar component.

Summarized with AI on October 25. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Looking to use Shopify as an ecommerce solution but curious if I would be able to create such a feature:

A calendar component that allows site visitors to schedule an event from pre-defined categories or indicate attendance to a scheduled event. Scheduled events and attendee # would be updated accordingly. Events would have customizable time and location fields as well.

Is this something I could build from Shopify’s existing tools, or is this something I would have to code myself and integrate into my site?

2

Hi @amuzyka ,

This is Ricardo from InventoryHero, I was trying to get some links for you, hope some of them would be helpful for you, remember that these are pre built apps by third parties companies and you can install them to your Store:

2 Likes
3

Rick, thanks a bunch! I’m looking at these and while they seem pretty robust, I’m not sure if they are quite what I would need. From my research it seems like I may have to build the exact calendar that I envision.

4

You are correct, at least you can use them as a reference for your brand new creation, I’m sure you’ll do it great!!

5

Hi Amyzyka,

Albert here from BookThatApp!

BookThatApp is a powerful booking tool that you can use for the booking of your product and services that you’re offering on your Shopify site, you can use the app for different booking types such as product rental, appointments, classes, tickets, and for event scheduling that you’re looking for.

Please see the following demo of our Activity booking widget https://bookthatapp-demo.com/collections/bookthatapp-for-tours-activities-shopify-scheduling-app/products/tour-tickets

We also have an Event Calendar feature that you can add to your site for your customer’s view of your scheduled events https://bookthatapp-demo.com/apps/bookthatapp/calendar.

Please reach out to us at support@zetya.com if you’d like to learn more about BookThatApp, happy to assist here!

Cheers!
Albert

6

Hey @amuzyka,

Nice question and thanks @InventoryHero (Ricardo) for the shoutout - appreciate the mention!

Just jumping in to add some clarity on what Elfsight’s Event Calendar can do in your case:

:white_check_mark: You can create and display events on a calendar, including custom time and location fields
:white_check_mark: You can categorize events (like “Online Workshop” vs “In-Person Meet”)
:white_check_mark: You can let visitors indicate attendance - the calendar supports RSVP-style buttons with links/forms

What it doesn’t yet handle:
:prohibited: It doesn’t auto-update attendee numbers visibly to others (that part would need a backend or form integration workaround)
:prohibited: It’s not built for scheduling new events by users - more for displaying events you’ve set up yourself

That said, for showcasing events and collecting responses without much setup, it works really smoothly. If your main focus is showing a clean calendar and letting people say “I’m in,” this could be a fast win without needing custom code.

If you want to go deeper into booking or real-time updates, apps like Appointo or Tipo (as Ricardo mentioned) might help too - or a hybrid approach using external tools and embedding them into your Shopify store.

Hope that helps a bit!

Cheers,
Elfsight Team