Lehel Mátyus

Atomic Events Calendar is built for developers and agencies who need events in WordPress without the overhead of full event management plugins.
Instead of starting from scratch on every project, Atomic Events Calendar gives you:
– A ready-to-use Events post type 
– Essential event fields (date, venue, type, etc.) 
– Developer-friendly shortcodes to display and filter events 
– A robust theming structure for easy overrides and custom designs
✨ Think of it as a lightweight framework disguised as a plugin: everything you need to set up events quickly, with the freedom to extend and customize as you like.
Perfect for agencies that want full control over their event implementations—without the bloat.
<h3>Features</h3>
<ul>
<li>Developer-Friendly – Clean code structure with services architecture</li>
<li>Responsive Design – Built with Tailwind CSS for modern, responsive layouts</li>
<li>Structured Data for Search Engines – Automatic JSON-LD schema markup for better SEO and rich snippets</li>
<li>Custom Post Type – Dedicated ‘atomic-event’ post type with all necessary fields</li>
<li>Template Override System – Easy theme integration with template hierarchy</li>
<li>Shortcode Support – Display events anywhere with <code>[atomic-events]</code> shortcode</li>
<li>Featured Events – Mark and display featured events prominently</li>
<li>Location Management – Complete address fields (street, city, state, country, postcode)</li>
<li>Date & Time Support – Start/end dates with time support</li>
<li>Image Support – Featured images with captions</li>
<li>Member-Only Events – Restrict events to members only</li>
<li>Performance Caching – Automatic shortcode caching with smart invalidation</li>
</ul>
Basic usage is through shortcode:
<pre><code>[atomic-events filter max='10' columns='3' featured='0' 
 skip_first_x='0' skip_first_x_featured='1' order='ASC']
</code></pre>
<h3>How can I customize the event template?</h3>
The plugin provides a default template for single events, but you can override it in your theme:
<ol>
<li>Child Theme (recommended): Copy the template to <code>child-theme/atomic-events/single/single-atomic-event.php</code></li>
<li>Parent Theme: Copy the template to <code>parent-theme/atomic-events/single/single-atomic-event.php</code></li>
</ol>
The plugin will automatically use your theme’s version instead of the default.
See the example template in <code>templates/theme-override-example.php</code> for reference.
<h4>My event pages show 404 errors</h4>
If you experience 404 errors when viewing event pages: 
1. Go to WordPress Admin → Events → Settings 
2. Click “Flush Rewrite Rules” 
3. If that doesn’t work, go to Settings → Permalinks and click “Save Changes”
<h3>Template Structure</h3>
The plugin provides a comprehensive template override system. You can override any template by creating files in your theme:
<pre>
 your-theme/
 └── atomic-events/
 │ ├── cards/
 │ │ ├── card-item-default.php
 │ │ ├── card-item-featured.php
 │ │ ├── card-list-header-default.php
 │ │ └── card-list-footer-default.php
 │ ├── single/
 │ │ └── single-atomic-event.php
 │ ├── content/
 │ │ └── single-event.php
 │ 
</pre>
<h3>Template Hierarchy</h3>
The plugin follows WordPress template hierarchy for single event pages. Templates are loaded in this order of priority:
<ol>
<li>Child Theme: <code>child-theme/atomic-events/single/single-atomic-event.php</code></li>
<li>Parent Theme: <code>parent-theme/atomic-events/single/single-atomic-event.php</code></li>
<li>Plugin Default: <code>plugin/templates/single/single-atomic-event.php</code></li>
</ol>
<h3>Template Override System</h3>
The plugin uses a custom template loader that checks for theme templates first, then falls back to the plugin’s default template. This ensures:
– Theme compatibility: Works with any WordPress theme 
– Customization flexibility: Easy to override in themes 
– Update safety: Plugin updates won’t break custom templates 
– Developer-friendly: Clear hierarchy and fallback system
Template Hierarchy Priority:
<ol>
<li>Child Theme: <code>child-theme/atomic-events/[template-name].php</code></li>
<li>Parent Theme: <code>parent-theme/atomic-events/[template-name].php</code></li>
<li>Plugin Default: <code>plugin/templates/[template-name].php</code></li>
</ol>
Available Templates: 
– Shortcode Templates: Override how events appear in lists and grids 
– Single Event Templates: Customize individual event page layouts 
– Content Templates: Modify event content display
The default template includes: 
– WordPress header/footer integration 
– Event model for accessing custom fields 
– Template loader for modular content parts 
– Proper WordPress loop structure
<h3>Custom Fields Available</h3>
When creating custom templates, you have access to these event fields:
<pre>
$event_model = new AtomicEventModel(get_the_ID());

// Basic event data
$event_model->get_title();
$event_model->get_event_start_date();
$event_model->get_event_end_date();
$event_model->get_event_venue();
$event_model->get_event_location_city();
$event_model->get_event_country();
$event_model->get_event_location_state();
$event_model->get_event_location_region();

// Event settings
$event_model->is_featured();
$event_model->is_member_only();
$event_model->get_event_all_day();

// Additional data
$event_model->get_event_outbound_link();
$event_model->get_event_tag();
$event_model->get_event_image_id();
$event_model->get_permalink();
</pre>
<h3>Creating Custom Templates</h3>
<ol>
<li>Copy the example template from <code>templates/theme-override-example.php</code></li>
<li>Place it in your theme at the appropriate path</li>
<li>Customize the template as needed</li>
<li>Test thoroughly to ensure proper functionality</li>
</ol>
<h3>Hooks and Filters</h3>
The plugin provides several hooks for customization:
<pre>
// Filter the template path
add_filter('atomic_events_template_path', 'my_custom_template_path', 10, 2);

// Filter event data before display
add_filter('atomic_events_event_data', 'my_custom_event_data', 10, 2);

// Filter whether to show event in lists
add_filter('atomic_events_should_show_in_list', 'my_custom_visibility_logic', 10, 2);
</pre>
<h3>Shortcode Parameters</h3>
The <code>[atomic-events]</code> shortcode supports these parameters:
– <code>filter</code>: “future” or “past” (default: “future”) 
– <code>max</code>: Maximum number of events (default: 20) 
– <code>columns</code>: Number of columns (default: 3) 
– <code>featured</code>: Show only featured events (true/false) 
– <code>skip_first_x</code>: Skip first X events 
– <code>skip_first_x_featured</code>: Skip first X featured events 
– <code>order</code>: “ASC” or “DESC” (default: “ASC”)
<h3>Best Practices</h3>
<ol>
<li>Always use child themes for customizations</li>
<li>Test with different themes to ensure compatibility</li>
<li>Use the event model for accessing custom fields</li>
<li>Follow WordPress coding standards</li>
<li>Document custom modifications</li>
<li>Test thoroughly before deployment</li>
</ol>

Atomic Events Calendar

Atomic Events Calendar: A lightweight WordPress events framework that gives agencies full control without the bloat.

Brian Hogg

Get your events displayed in a customizable list wherever you need them, with The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block! This plugin fully integrates with The Events Calendar Plugin (free version) by StellarWP, formerly Modern Tribe.
This plugin adds a shortcode, a WordPress block (Gutenberg editor), and now an Elementor widget and a Bricks element for use with The Events Calendar WordPress Plugin.
Display a list of your events by either adding a block in the new editor, or adding a shortcode to any post, page, or widget.
Here’s a quick video showing you what you can do:
<iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_hpfuoa6MZM?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe>
<blockquote>
If you need extra design and functionality, <a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/the-events-calendar-shortcode?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">Get The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block Pro</a>! The Pro version offers seven designs, additional filtering options, and full control over how your events display.
You get the same full integration with The Events Calendar, plus premium support, show multiple shortcodes on one page, a filter bar so users can find what events they want to see, and it works with any WordPress theme.
<a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/the-events-calendar-shortcode?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">Check out the Pro version today</a>
</blockquote>
Trusted by 20,000+ WordPress sites and a 4.7 star rating on WordPress.org, The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block is the solution you’ve been after 🙂
<h3>How to use The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block</h3>
You can use the shortcode or block to add a list of your events, filtered by various options. Here’s an example of how you’d show the next 8 events in the category festival:
<pre><code>[ecs-list-events cat="festival" limit="8"]
</code></pre>
With the WordPress block editor, just add a block and search for The Events Calendar Shortcode.
When editing a post or page with Elementor, you can add The Events Calendar Shortcode widget (under “General”) and customize the display options.
You can also filter the events in the shortcode and choose from the following options:
<ul>
<li>Category: show events from specific categories.</li>
<li>Number of events: choose the number of events to show.</li>
<li>Event order: Order in which your events are shown (latest first or last).</li>
<li>Event dates: Show or hide the date.</li>
<li>Event venue: Show or hide the venue.</li>
<li>Event excerpt: Show or hide the event excerpt, and set an excerpt length.</li>
<li>Event content details: Change the order the event details are displayed.</li>
<li>Thumbnail: Show or hide a thumbnail image.</li>
<li>View all events link: Choose whether to include a “view all events” link or not.</li>
<li>Events from a specific month: show only events from specific months (including current or next month).</li>
<li>Previous events: Show previous events.</li>
<li>Hide started events: Hide events when their start time passes.</li>
</ul>
This gives you full control over how your events are displayed, and is perfect for non-profits, charities, businesses, conferences, and anyone with a WordPress website showing events.
You’ll find a full list of how to use these options in the shortcode below in the plugin’s FAQs or <a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/events-calendar-shortcode-pro-options/?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">on our documentation page</a>.
<blockquote>
<h3>With Pro, choose your design and get even more control</h3>
<a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/the-events-calendar-shortcode?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block Pro</a> adds extra designs, including a true calendar view, compact and column-based designs, and advanced features like events grouped by day.
Plus, get advanced control over how your events display:
<ul>
<li>Events in the next week: Show events happening in the next X days, for example tomorrow, next week, or next month.</li>
<li>Only specific days: Show only events on specific days.</li>
<li>Display events by location: Choose to show events by city, state, or country!</li>
<li>Only featured events: Show only events you mark as featured.</li>
<li>Full event description: Show the full event description, instead of just a short excerpt.</li>
<li>Only show start time: Just show the start time of your event.</li>
<li>Hide recurring events: Only show the first instance of a recurring event.</li>
<li>Filter bar: Allow visitors to choose what events they want to see.</li>
<li>Pagination: Let visitors view additional pages of events.</li>
<li>Custom design: Create your own using Shortcode Variables or templates, or use one of the seven built-in options.</li>
<li>Plus much more: <a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/the-events-calendar-shortcode?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">check out The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block Pro details here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/the-events-calendar-shortcode?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block Pro</a> is ideal for non-profits, charities, businesses, conferences, developers, and WordPress agencies who need the extra control and support straight from the plugin developer. <a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/the-events-calendar-shortcode?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">Check it out here</a>.
</blockquote>
<h3>Who’s using The Events Calendar Shortcode?</h3>
William Penn University is a private liberal arts university located in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The university offers more than 20 majors through seven academic divisions, with a focus on leadership, technology, and inspired potential. As an institution that hosts various events throughout the year, William Penn University needed an efficient way to display and manage its event calendar on its website. The university chose to implement The Events Calendar Shortcode plugin to streamline event management and improve the overall user experience.
The university decided to use The Events Calendar Shortcode plugin, which integrates seamlessly with The Events Calendar WordPress Plugin. The plugin allows the university to display a list of events using a shortcode or a WordPress block. This makes it easy for technical and non-technical users to add events to the website without any coding knowledge.
365Austin is a popular website that curates and shares the best events, activities, and experiences in Austin, Texas. With a comprehensive event calendar, the platform aims to make it easier for locals and tourists alike to discover and participate in exciting events happening in the city. To improve event management and user experience, 365Austin chose to implement The Events Calendar Shortcode plugin on its website.
CREST (Center for Research in Economics and Statistics) is a renowned research center that brings together researchers from various fields, including economics, finance, sociology, and statistics. To facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among its members and the wider academic community, CREST hosts various seminars, workshops, and conferences. A comprehensive event calendar on the CREST website plays a crucial role in keeping researchers informed and engaged.
Each event listing includes essential information such as the title, date, time, speaker, and a brief description of the topic. The calendar is designed to be user-friendly and easily accessible, allowing researchers to stay informed about upcoming events relevant to their fields of interest.
<h3>Documentation</h3>
The full list of options you can use can be found <a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/events-calendar-shortcode-pro-options/?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">on our documentation page</a>.
We also have a full course on setting up The Events Calendar, our The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block plugin, and more: <a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/the-events-calendar-course/?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">Getting Started Promoting Events with The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress</a>
If you have any other questions about the plugin, you can post a thread <a href="https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/the-events-calendar-shortcode/" rel="ugc">in the WordPress.org forum</a>. If you’re looking for premium, personalized support, consider upgrading to <a href="https://eventcalendarnewsletter.com/the-events-calendar-shortcode?utm_source=wordpress.org&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=tecs-readme&utm_content=description" rel="nofollow ugc">The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block Pro</a>.
Still have a question? You can send us an email at info@eventcalendarnewsletter.com.
This plugin is not developed by or affiliated with The Events Calendar WordPress plugin, StellarWP or Modern Tribe in any way.

The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block

Wonderful plugin and the author provides excellent support.

Great Plugin Works as Advertised

nice


Provides functionality otherwise missing from TEC core. I use this on many client sites and appreciate it. Thanks!


Works great and reliably

Add shortcode, block and Elementor widget functionality to The Events Calendar Plugin, so you can easily list and promote your events anywhere.

Atomic Events Calendar vs The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block