In September, Facebook kicked off a nationwide tour in an effort to take the social media platform offline, bringing its online features to life. It was “inspired by the many ways young adults use Facebook to connect, discover, and dive deeper into the things they love,” said a Meta spokesperson about the road trip concept.
“Whether it’s hunting for unique vintage treasures on Marketplace, joining Groups to bond with others over shared interests like music, or finding their perfect match on Facebook Dating, the app is a hub for meaningful experiences and connections,” they added. The cross-country journey featured interactive, locally inspired activations. “Our goal was to showcase Facebook’s most popular features in a new way, creating opportunities for connection and community in every city we visited,” the spokesperson said.
This activation comes at a time when Facebook usership among Gen Z has dropped drastically. A recent redesign is attempting to recapture these young users, emphasizing popular aspects like Groups and Marketplace. In fact, the online marketplace is used by more than half of its Gen Z users in the U.S., according to a 2025 eMarketer report on social media users.
The road trip was a way for the company to promote those elements in real life.
The activation highlighted one of the app’s most popular features: Facebook Marketplace. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
The experience, which featured a branded Airstream, made stops in Los Angeles at the Melrose Trading Post, the University of Colorado campus in Boulder, the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, and the Walk of Fame Park in Nashville. The tour wrapped up in NYC, where Meta transformed Union Square into the Facebook Marketplace Holiday Shop.
In Los Angeles, the platform’s Marketplace feature came to life through an upcycling Remix Lab featuring sellers, an IRL vendor zone within Melrose Trading Post, and a styling and portrait studio built around Marketplace finds. In Dallas, Facebook Dating took the lead at the State Fair with speed‑dating sessions hosted by Instagram account Famous Bachelors, along with a dating profile portrait studio and a floral date-night bouquet station.
In Nashville, the emphasis moved to community and creators, with line dancing led by Jasmine Ciara, a portrait studio with Karly Johnson, a Nashville tour tee station, and spin-to-win moments with prizes like Ray‑Ban Meta glasses and Stagecoach festival tickets.
Around 1,000 people stopped by the Dec. 14 activation in New York, where they could learn styling tips from April Lockhart and get her best tricks for finding those perfect vintage pieces on Facebook Marketplace; snap a Polaroid and turn it into a keepsake holiday ornament; and grab a bouquet of mistletoe and holly with the help of Facebook Dating.
Keep scrolling to see more from the NYC stop of the Facebook Road Trip…
VENDORS
Event Production: SUN-NY SIDE UP
F&B: Sad Girl Creamery, Stereoscope Coffee, Little Man Ice Cream Company, Alpine Modern Café, Frothy Monkey, Hani’s Bakery
Photography: Thalía Gochez, Kirstin Anne, Scott Slusher, Karly Johnson, Ryan Razon
The experience made stops in Los Angeles; Boulder, Colo.; Dallas; and Nashville. The tour wrapped up in NYC, where Meta transformed Union Square into the Facebook Marketplace Holiday Shop. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
Around 1,000 people stopped by the Dec. 14 activation in New York. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
Visitors posed with props at the activation’s portrait studio. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
Visitors were able to spin a wheel and post playful prompts to their Facebook profile in real time for a chance to score Marketplace gifts sourced by Tay Nakamoto or a pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
Visitors could snap a Polaroid and turn it into a keepsake holiday ornament. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
The experience featured plenty of photo ops. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
Visitors could learn styling tips from April Lockhart (pictured) and get her best tricks for finding those perfect vintage pieces on Facebook Marketplace. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
Each stop featured its own tour tee. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
Cups of hot cocoa from Hani’s Bakery were branded with the Facebook logo. Photo: Breanna Nichelle
