Eventbrite Study Finds Gen-Z, Millennials Are Seeking In-Person Events to Bridge Gap from Digital World

Gen Z and Millennials have spent years online, building identities in the digital world. However, a new study from Eventbrite revealed that there has been a major shift in social connection, as young adults are seeking-out in-person events to build connection.

The new cultural intelligence study found that that Gen Z and Millennials are creating Fourth Spaces — gatherings that bridge the gap between online interests and real-world connections. According to the study, young adults are seeking ways to bring connections to the physical world with 95% interested in exploring their online interests in-person.

These Fourth Spaces include physical events ranging from culinary circles like intimate supper clubs and creative classes including jewelry-making and crochet events to live social shows including concerts and comedy gigs — with alternative music shows seeing triple the amount of attendees. Additionally, other gatherings are taking-off like game-based board game events, fandom festivities like anime events, and healthy hangouts, which includes running events and sober-curious gatherings.

Julia Hartz, Co-founder, CEO, and Executive Chair of Eventbrite, noted that “what we’re seeing reveals a pivotal moment in how young people build community.”

“This generation has unlocked something powerful – they’re transforming online interests into dynamic, in-person spaces where both community and identity take shape,” Hartz said in a statement. “What started as digital passions are becoming catalysts for meaningful real-world connections and personal discoveries, happening on their own terms.”

The study, written in collaboration between Eventbrite and dcdx, was distributed online to 2,000 respondents in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 35.

Those who participated in the study revealed that these in-person gatherings had a transformative, positive impact. A 19-year-old man said that “meeting people like me made me feel less alone and more at home and seen,” while a 23-year-old woman said these events “helped me connect with people nearby who are trying to accomplish similar goals in their lives.”

“The people I met created a feeling of belonging I hadn’t felt in some time,” a 30-year-old man said. “Meeting total strangers who felt comfortable around me allowed me to open up and be more of myself.”