Gen Z Redefining their Weekends, changing how they socialize, spend time and even think about home

A new national Harris Poll suggests Generation Z is redefining what weekends look like, with rising costs, loneliness and changing social habits leading many young adults to spend more time at home—but not necessarily because they want to be alone.

The Gen Z Weekend Report, based on a nationally representative survey of 4,100 U.S. adults—including 603 adults ages 18 to 29—found that nearly three-quarters of Gen Z now stay home at least half of their weekends, while almost the same percentage say staying home has become their default weekend plan.

Among the findings:

• 74% stay home at least half of their weekends each month.
• 73% say staying home has become their default weekend plan.
• 51% report feeling lonely on weekends—the highest of any generation surveyed.
• 49% say they don’t have enough friends to spend time with in person.
• 68% say going out isn’t worth the cost.
• 62% avoid making weekend plans because they don’t want to regret the expense afterward.
• 85% say they have already found lower-cost ways to socialize.
• 71% believe they are missing the kinds of in-person experiences older generations enjoyed at the same age.

The report argues that Gen Z is not rejecting social interaction but is becoming more intentional about how it spends time, money and energy.

Instead of traditional nightlife, many respondents said they prefer quieter, lower-pressure settings. Nearly three-quarters wish there were more places to socialize where alcohol is not the focus, and 65% said they feel more socially connected in wellness-oriented settings than in bars or clubs.

Libby Rodney, Chief Strategy Officer and Futurist for The Harris Poll, summarized the shift this way:

“Hard socializing is over. Gen Z wants soft socializing: quieter, cheaper, sober-optional, and good for their health. The center of social gravity has moved from the nightclub to the workout, the class, and the calmer room.”

The report also found that the preference for staying home is not simply about avoiding people. In fact, 51% of Gen Z said they would rather spend weekends with others than alone, while 62% wish more online friendships translated into in-person relationships.

Researchers say the findings have implications not only for restaurants, nightlife and hospitality businesses, but also for retailers, consumer brands and the growing wellness industry as younger adults continue to reshape weekend habits.

Read the full Harris Poll report: https://theharrispoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-Gen-Z-Weekend-Report-July-2026.pdf

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Editor’s Note: The Harris Poll findings raise broader questions about how Americans are changing the way they socialize, spend time and even think about home. We’ll take a deeper look at what may be driving these changes—and what they could mean for communities, housing and everyday life—in this Sunday’s commentary.