New report shows people are turning to celebrations—big and small—as a powerful antidote to loneliness and a driver of connection

NEW YORK, NY, October 14, 2025 — The Knot Worldwide, a leading global technology platform powering celebrations, today released its inaugural Future of Celebrations Report, providing a look at how people are embracing connection through shared experiences. Drawing on a new survey of more than 1,000 people in the U.S. and proprietary insights across The Knot Worldwide platform in the U.S., U.K., France, and Spain, the report reveals that people everywhere are investing in experiences that foster joy, belonging, and community—a movement many are calling the “joy economy.”

Top themes and takeaways from The Knot Worldwide 2025 Future of Celebrations Report, focusing on findings in the U.S. unless otherwise noted:

#1. The loneliness epidemic persists

• Less than a third of users in the U.S. surveyed by The Knot Worldwide are attending in-person social gatherings weekly and less than half feel very connected to their friends.
• Nearly 7 in 10 Gen Zers (69%) report experiencing social loneliness compared to 57% of Millennials.
• Eight in 10 people believe people don’t celebrate enough in today’s world.

#2. People are fighting back with connection

• In the same survey, two-thirds said they have taken or plan to take steps to combat loneliness this year, with 41% planning to host a celebration.
• Nearly all (92%) believe participating in celebrations improves their emotional well-being and 88% believe celebrations have the power to combat loneliness. This new finding closely aligns with takeaways from The Knot Worldwide’s 2025 Wedding Trends to Watch Report, which revealed that despite economic challenges, an overwhelming majority (95%) of engaged couples remain excited about their upcoming wedding day, with approximately eight in ten believing it will be worth the investment.
• Eighty-five percent view celebration as an essential part of their overall health.

#3. Everyday celebrations are on the rise

• Survey respondents are hungry for more everyday celebrations, with farmer’s markets, live music, book clubs, sports clubs, and fitness/run and walk clubs topping the list.
• According to The Knot Worldwide’s proprietary product data, the most common celebrations include adult birthday parties, weddings, work parties, kids’ birthday parties, and community events.
• The top U.S. party destinations based on vendor requests submitted via The Knot Worldwide include New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

#4. Milestone moments continue to drive the joy economy

• Based on vendor requests submitted, the top trending vendor categories by event type include mariachi bands for adult birthdays; Santa for Christmas parties; face painting for kids’ birthday parties; bagpipers for funerals; and caricaturists for corporate events.
• Emerging vendor categories in comparison to 2024 include saxophonists (+26%), singer-guitarists (+11%) and tarot card readers (+11%).
• Based on The Knot Worldwide product insights, median spend on parties in the U.S. per booking is up 6% year-over-year.

#5. Weddings around the world reflect local trends

• U.S. (The Knot): Regency-inspired Glamorous Regency Garden invitations are up 45%, while Vintage themes increased 20%. 
• U.K. (Hitched): Woodland and Festival weddings are up 46% compared to 2024.
• Spain (Bodas.net): Demand for country properties, farmhouses, and wineries rose 24%.

“As people navigate feelings of loneliness—driven by distance from loved ones, the pressures of work, social media, and the challenge of balancing it all—our data shows a hopeful trend: people are turning to in-person connection and celebration as an antidote,” said Raina Moskowitz, Chief Executive Officer at The Knot Worldwide. “In an uncertain world, celebrations are proving to be one of the most powerful ways to strengthen social bonds and enhance well-being. At The Knot Worldwide, we’re honored to help make those moments possible, in every form they take.”

For more insights and trends, check out the full report here. 

Disclaimer: Statements above are based on The Knot Worldwide’s proprietary data and self-reported survey results reflecting participant perceptions, rather than clinical research or a comprehensive market analysis.

About The Knot Worldwide

Across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, The Knot Worldwide champions the power of celebration. The company’s global family of brands provide best-in-class products, services and content to take celebration planning from inspiration to action. Through its wedding brands, including The Knot, WeddingWire, Bodas.net, Hitched.co.uk, Mariages.net, Matrimonio.com, and others, the company offers an extensive database of hundreds of thousands of wedding professionals to assist couples in organizing the happiest day of their lives. We have a brand for every kind of celebration—from booking a birthday party, to planning a wedding, to preparing to become a parent, and every moment in between.

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PR Contact

Anni Jones

Director, Corporate Communications, The Knot Worldwide

ajones@theknotww.com