GNOME Calendar

What is GNOME Calendar?

GNOME Calendar is a lightweight calendar application built for the GNOME desktop environment. It connects to the Evolution Data Server, allowing it to sync with online accounts like Google, Microsoft Exchange, and CalDAV servers. Originally released around 2014, it has matured into a stable, no-frills tool that focuses on basic calendar functions without extra complexity.

It's best suited for users who want a minimal, integrated calendar experience on Linux and don't need advanced features like task management or notes. If you mainly view and create events, and sync with a cloud provider, GNOME Calendar works out of the box on most GNOME-based distributions. It’s not designed for power users managing multiple complex calendars.

Compared to Windows Calendar, it feels more basic and less polished visually. It lacks rich formatting, drag-and-drop across accounts, and deep Outlook integration. However, it starts quickly and stays out of your way. If you value simplicity and GNOME integration over features, it’s a functional alternative.

Best for: GNOME users who want a simple, integrated calendar for basic event tracking.

Key features of GNOME Calendar

• Syncs with online accounts (Google, Exchange, CalDAV)
• Displays day, week, and month views
• Integrated with Evolution Data Server
• Lightweight and fast startup
• Supports multiple calendars
• Event creation and editing with reminders
• Minimalist design matching GNOME style
• Automatic time zone handling

Tips for Windows users

Events sync via CalDAV or Microsoft Exchange, so your data should transfer if you're using a supported account. Unlike Windows Calendar, you can't import .ics files directly in the app—use GNOME's default file manager or Evolution instead. Keyboard shortcuts are minimal: use Ctrl+N for new events. Expect less visual feedback and fewer layout options.