ABSTRACT In an era of urbanization and global economic competition, cities are striving to enhance their competitiveness on a transnational scale. By leveraging events as strategic tools for economic, social, and cultural development, cities can boost their destination competitiveness. This paper proposes a toolkit aimed at guiding cities, particularly those in developing countries, in their transition towards becoming vibrant “eventful cities.” The toolkit identifies Critical Success Factors (CSFs), including the vision of the city, relationships with/within stakeholders, programming of events, strategies for marketing, and the monitoring of outcomes. These CSFs are derived from a literature review and analysis of event strategy documents from various cities. The Delphi method, coupled with fuzzy theory to address uncertainties, is utilized to facilitate decision-making and generate actionable solutions. The urban planning toolkit and a practical handout offer cities a comprehensive approach grounded in theoretical insights and practical experiences, enabling them to navigate uncertainties and strengthen their competitiveness on global stage through strategic event-based development.