Venue Calendar Sync: Google Calendar & iCal on Eventsona

Why calendar sync matters

Double bookings usually happen when Eventsona and your private diary disagree. Calendar sync links your venue availability to Google Calendar or an iCal URL so holds elsewhere can block (or reflect) dates on your Eventsona listing.

Before you connect

• Prefer a dedicated calendar for venue hires—not your personal appointments mixed with every reminder.
• Decide whether you mainly import external busy times, export Eventsona bookings outward, or sync both ways.
• Confirm your venue listing already has correct capacity and GBP pricing so accepted bookings make sense once dates clear.

Step 1: Open venue calendar settings

1. Open your venue in the business dashboard.
2. Go to calendar or availability settings.
3. Set availability mode to calendar sync when you want the connection to drive blocked dates (you can still manage manual blocks when needed).

Step 2: Connect Google Calendar

1. Choose Connect Google Calendar.
2. Authorise Eventsona to access the Google account that owns the venue diary.
3. Select the calendar to sync.
4. Choose sync direction:
   • Import only: Events on Google block availability on Eventsona.
   • Export only: Confirmed Eventsona bookings create events on Google.
   • Bidirectional: Keep both sides aligned when you use both tools daily.
5. Enable sync and save.

Step 3: Add an iCal URL (Apple, Outlook, and others)

If your provider exposes an iCal feed (Apple Calendar, Outlook.com, and many others):

1. Copy the public or shared iCal URL from your calendar provider.
2. In Eventsona venue calendar settings, add an iCal URL.
3. Paste the URL, enable sync, and save.

Use a feed that only includes venue-relevant busy times so random personal events do not block hire dates by accident.

Step 4: Verify the first sync

1. Create a short test event on the external calendar (or confirm a test booking path carefully).
2. Wait for sync to run, or trigger a manual sync if available.
3. Confirm the matching dates show as blocked or booked on Eventsona availability.
4. Remove the test hold and confirm the date frees correctly.

Ongoing habits

• Put private hires and maintenance on the synced calendar as soon as they are firm.
• Check last synced time if organisers report wrong availability.
• Before peak seasons, review blocked dates against reality.
• If you disconnect a provider, switch back to manual mode and block known busy dates immediately.

Troubleshooting

• Re-check Google permissions or regenerate the iCal URL if sync stops.
• Confirm you selected the correct calendar ID, not an empty secondary calendar.
• Ensure the iCal URL is reachable without interactive login.
• Look at sync status on the venue; reconnect tokens if authorisation expired.

Frequently asked questions

Which providers does Eventsona support?

Venue calendar sync supports Google Calendar and iCal-style feeds (including options for Apple and Outlook-style iCal URLs). Pick the provider that already holds your venue diary.

Should I use import, export, or bidirectional?

Use import if Eventsona should respect external busy times. Use export if Eventsona bookings should appear on your staff calendar. Use bidirectional when you actively manage both systems and need them aligned.

Does sync replace reviewing booking requests?

No. Sync keeps availability accurate; you still review pending bookings, deposits, and house rules unless you intentionally enable auto-accept with clear rules.

Keep your diary accurate

Connect sync, test one hold, then manage day-to-day requests with the booking management guide. Still setting up your listing? Start with listing your venue. Organisers hire via finding and booking venues. Browse live spaces on Venues, create an organiser account at Become an organiser, read how to list and book a venue, and review Pricing.