In the coming years, young people’s preferences for events and meet-ups will continue to adapt to new social trends and technological innovations. While the older generations preferred to go to clubs and discos in their youth, virtual experiences and digital spaces are becoming increasingly attractive to today’s under-30s. Here is a forecast on one of the most important event trends for Gen Z (1995-2010 born) by the EventMasterBook.de / .com editorial team.
Far fewer young people enjoy going to discos or clubs in their free time. Safety concerns, but also the opportunity to make and maintain friendships in virtual spaces without much effort, have driven this development.
The fact is that VR and AR experiences are becoming increasingly popular with the 16 to 30-year-olds. Leisure activities in digital spaces that can be enjoyed from home are already replacing some of the "classic" activities of going out in person. There are increasingly sophisticated digital event platforms and new immersive event spaces that offer exciting options for socializing and entertainment.
Firstly, there is the boom in the gaming world. Events centered around eSports and modern gaming communities are becoming an ongoing trend. These events are usually highly interactive and often offer global participation opportunities without having to travel.
Roblox – a popular collaborative gaming platform – has developed into a vibrant metaverse in recent years. The platform not only enables social activities such as chatting or collaborative gaming, but supports users' creativity in developing their own games.
Platforms such as Roblox are increasingly becoming a popular meeting place for young people. This is also attracting companies and brands, which are setting up their own virtual brand spaces on the platform and also organizing virtual events. One prominent example was provided by Heidi Klum in October 2024: the German model queen invited people to a virtual Roblox Modelverse Halloween party via Instagram.
Platforms such as VRChat or AltspaceVR also offer immersive social spaces where young people can meet and express themselves creatively. These formats combine entertainment and social networking, which makes them particularly attractive to the Generation Z. The platforms use simple, easily accessible technology to reach a broad target group, creating spaces where both entertainment and creativity are encouraged.
VRChat is known for its user-created virtual spaces and events, including themed parties, live performances and virtual conferences. One example is the Raindance Immersive Festival, which offers interactive experiences such as DJ sets and storytelling workshops.
AltspaceVR, on the other hand, focuses more on structured virtual meetings such as business meetings and workshops on specialist topics. The platform is often used for conferences, live discussions and lecture formats. Many of these events offer Q&A modules and virtual networking opportunities.
Both platforms emphasize social interaction and are ideal for young people looking for immersive and communal experiences without having to go to a "real" place or surround themselves with "strangers" in the real world.
However, there are also concerns about the safety of such virtual spaces, especially for younger target groups who are often unaware of the various risks of cybercrime, hate, discrimination and psychological influence.
However, the trend towards new virtual experiences will not be reversed, but will continue to grow as technology advances. Popular "real life" event formats, such as music and creative festivals, which are very entertaining and socially connecting will probably never be completely replaced by them. But it is precisely the combination of real and virtual worlds of experience that could create completely new "Wow!" event formats in the coming years. The EventMasterBook.com editorial team is excited to see what 2025 will bring.
Cover image: Events in Virtual Spaces | EventMasterBook.com editorial team (photo / stock: canva.com)
Related topics: Event Trends 2025, Event Trends, new event formats, virtual events, AR events, VR events, Metaverse, Roblox, VRChat, AlterspaceVR, gaming, community events, Gen Z, young target groups, young people, event preferences, popular event formats, experience trends, leisure trends, leisure activities, experience marketing, experience design, innovation, trend, socializing, entertainment
Summary: Event trends for young target groups. Virtual event formats are becoming increasingly popular among 16 to 30-year-olds. Social gaming and digital networking via Roblox & Co. are becoming increasingly attractive to the Gen Z.
This text was translated from the German EventMasterBook.de Magazine (see article Gen Z Event Trends). Please excuse any translation errors.
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