60 Ideas to Gather Friends in 2026

There’s something incredibly satisfying about having plans you actually look forward to. Evenings filled with laughter, walks that turn into long conversations, dinners that feel easy and familiar. Adult friendships can feel this good when we give ourselves reasons to come together.

Whether you’re nurturing long-standing friendships or getting to know new people you’d love to spend more time with, shared experiences are what turn connection into closeness. Time together, laughter, routine, and a few good traditions go a long way.

Busy lives don’t make friendships impossible. They just mean we need easier, more intentional ways to gather. 

The good news is that getting people together doesn’t have to be complicated or perfectly planned. A walk, a meal, a creative night, or a recurring ritual can be enough.

This list of ideas to gather friends is meant to make gathering feel fun, doable, and low pressure. Think of it as a menu of excuses to enjoy each other’s company, build momentum, and let friendships grow naturally over time.

If you’re hoping to make new friends, deepen existing ones, or simply bring more connection into your life this year, choose a few ideas that genuinely sound enjoyable to you and return to them again and again.

Here's the List of Ideas to Gather Friends

Cozy, Easy-Effort Ideas

• Morning coffee chats

• Romcom marathon with snacks

• Movie night (at home or out, pick a theme)

• Binge watch party night (your fave shows, like Heated Rivalry)

• True crime podcast club

• Book club

Creative and Hands-on Gatherings

• Vision board night

• Affirmation or intention card making night

• Paint night (studio or at home)

• Pottery class (studio or at home)

• Friendship bracelet making; jewelry making

• Scrapbooking or memory keeping; photoframe decorating

• DIY candle making; Candle decorating (e.g., with labels, dried flowers, ribbon, etc.)

• Floral arranging (from market or grocery store)

• Creative writing night, journaling / reflection night (could include stationery swap)

• Mug or wine glass painting night

• Lucky charm assembling (could be a keychain, with pre-made charms and chains)

• Bath soak or sugar scrub making

Wellness and Movement-based Meetups

• Weekday neighborhood walks

• Beach walks or local hikes

• Walk-and-talk evenings

• Pilates classes together

• Yoga class followed by matcha date

• Barre or spin dates

• Stretch and reset evenings

• Sauna, hot tub, or spa night at home

Seasonal and Outdoor Outings

• Picnic in the park

• Beach day

• Sunset walks

• Farmers market mornings

• Patio dinner nights

• Backyard dinner party

• Outdoor movie night

Food or Drink Gatherings

• Soup night or soup swap

• Themed potlucks

• Baking night (with or without a theme)

• Cookie swap

• Cake, cupcake, or cookie decorating

• Charcuterie night

• Wine night or wine club

• Cocktail and/or mocktail making night

• Monthly brunch tradition

• Afternoon tea or high tea

• Monthly themed dinner club (rotate hosting)

• Progressive dinner party (involves moving from house to house for different, assigned courses, each taking turns to host throughout evening)

Getaways

• Girls weekend getaway

• Cabin/cottage weekend

• Day trip to a nearby town

• Winery or brewery outing

• Vacation abroad

Holiday-inspired Gatherings

• New Year goal setting & habit tracker making

• Vision board postcard making (with magazines and glue)

• Galentine’s dinner

• Pumpkin carving/painting/decorating

• Friendsgiving

• Gingerbread house decorating

• Holiday cookie decorating or cookie swap

• Ornament painting/decorating

• Wreath making/decorating

• End-of-year reflection night (journaling, chatting)

A gentle reminder

Friendships tend to grow when there’s space for them.

When we create regular reasons to gather, time together becomes part of life instead of something that needs constant planning or negotiation. Casual meetups turn into routines. New connections turn into shared stories.

Not every invitation will land, and not every gathering will look the way you imagined. That’s part of the process. The goal isn’t perfect attendance. It’s momentum.

The more you bring people together, the easier it becomes. Familiarity builds comfort. Repetition builds closeness. And friendships start to take on a life of their own.

Whether you’re expanding your circle, strengthening existing friendships, or doing a bit of both, a few simple gathering traditions can change the shape of your social life in meaningful ways.

Pick what sounds fun. Keep it easy. Enjoy the process.

Great friendships are built one shared experience at a time.