NEW YORK– A new Harris Poll study, The Gen Z Weekend Report, finds that young adults are reshaping what it means to spend a weekend well, prioritizing affordability, wellness and lower-pressure social experiences over traditional nightlife and costly outings.
The research, which is under embargo until July 29, suggests Gen Z is not retreating from socializing but becoming more intentional about how they spend their time, money and energy.
According to the survey, 74% of Gen Z adults stay in at least half of their weekends each month, while 73% say staying in has become their default weekend plan. At the same time, the generation reports high levels of social disconnection. More than half (51%) say they feel lonely on weekends, and 49% say they do not have enough friends to spend time with in person.
Financial concerns are also shaping behavior. Nearly seven in 10 respondents (68%) say going out is not worth the cost, while 62% avoid making weekend plans to prevent financial regret. As a result, 85% have already found lower-cost ways to socialize.
Many Gen Z adults also feel they are missing out on experiences previous generations enjoyed. Seventy-one percent say they lack the same types of in-person social opportunities older generations had at their age.
The report points to a broader shift in how young consumers define social connection. Rather than gathering around alcohol-centered nightlife, Gen Z increasingly favors wellness-focused environments and sober-optional activities.
"Hard socializing is over. Gen Z wants soft socializing: quieter, cheaper, sober-optional, and good for their health," said Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer and futurist at The Harris Poll. "The center of social gravity has moved from the nightclub to the workout, the class, and the calmer room."
Rodney noted that 73% of Gen Z respondents wish there were more places to gather where alcohol is not the focus, while 65% say they feel more connected in a wellness setting than at a bar.
The findings offer insights for brands across hospitality, nightlife, retail and wellness as they adapt to changing consumer preferences and the evolving social habits of the youngest adult generation.
For more info, go to https://theharrispoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-Gen-Z-Weekend-Report-July-2026.pdf
