If you’re a WordPress developer or power user, you probably prefer Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) for managing data. It’s clean, it’s flexible, and it stays out of your way.
The problem? Most event calendar plugins force you to use their custom post types and their proprietary date fields. If you already have a “Workshops” or “Lessons” post type with an ACF Date Picker, you shouldn’t have to migrate your data just to show it on a calendar.
Pie Calendar is the solution. In this guide, we’ll show you how to connect your ACF fields to Pie Calendar, allowing you to turn any post or CPT into a calendar event using the custom fields you already have.
Watch: Using Custom Fields for Event Dates
Why Pie Calendar is the Best ACF Calendar Integration
Most users searching for a “The Events Calendar ACF integration” find themselves frustrated. Why? Because the “big” plugins usually only let you add ACF metadata to their specific “Event” posts. They don’t let the ACF field actually drive the calendar logic.
Pie Calendar is different:
- Use Any Post Type: Events can be Posts, Pages, or any Custom Post Type (CPT).
- No Database Bloat: We don’t add dozens of unnecessary tables to your database.
- Free Version Support: Our ACF integration works with the free version of Pie Calendar using a simple code snippet.
- Developer Friendly: Use the ACF Date/Time picker your clients already know and love.
How to Map ACF Fields to Pie Calendar (Step-by-Step)
To use your own ACF fields instead of the native Pie Calendar meta-box, follow these steps:
1. Create your ACF Fields
Ensure you have created an ACF Date Time Picker field for your Start Date and (optionally) your End Date. Take note of the “Field Name” (e.g., start_date and end_date).
2. Add the Snippet
Because Pie Calendar is built to be lightweight, we’ll use a filter to tell the plugin where to look for your date data. Copy the code below and add it to your theme’s functions.php file or a plugin like WP Code Box or Code Snippets.
Visit our help doc to view the code snippet >>
3. Display Your Calendar
Simply use the Pie Calendar shortcode on any page, or add the native Pie Calendar Block if using Gutenberg. The calendar will now ignore the default Pie Calendar meta-box and pull the dates directly from your ACF fields!
Ready to Take it Further?
While our free version works perfectly for basic ACF mapping, Pie Calendar Pro unlocks the full power of a professional event management system without the bloat of other plugins.
- Recurring Events: Perfect for weekly classes, monthly meetings, or any custom recurrence pattern you need.
- Automatic Timezone Conversions: Essential for international webinars or virtual events.
- “Add to Calendar” Links: Let your users sync your ACF events to Google, Apple, and Outlook calendars.
And, Pie Calendar Pro is offered with an LTD so you pay just once and keep it forever.
FAQs
Can I show Custom Post Type events on a WordPress calendar? Yes! Pie Calendar allows you to turn any Custom Post Type into an event. By using the ACF integration, you can maintain your CPT structure while displaying everything on a unified frontend calendar.
Does this work with the ACF Date Picker or Date Time Picker? We recommend using the Date Time Picker field so that Pie Calendar can accurately display start and end times. The default “Return Format” will work with Pie Calendar.
Is there a lightweight alternative to The Events Calendar for ACF users? Pie Calendar is the leading lightweight alternative. Unlike The Events Calendar, which forces you into a specific ecosystem, Pie Calendar works with your existing ACF data and post types, keeping your site fast and your workflow clean.
