diff --git a/app/decorators/event_decorator.rb b/app/decorators/event_decorator.rb
index 1456d5a269..9c42836cc2 100644
--- a/app/decorators/event_decorator.rb
+++ b/app/decorators/event_decorator.rb
@@ -39,14 +39,14 @@ def display_image
   end
 
   def date
-    start_date.strftime("%B %d, %Y")
+    start_date.in_time_zone(event_zone).strftime("%B %d, %Y")
   end
 
   # Weekday-prefixed date range (e.g. "Thu-Fri, Jan 1-2, 2026") that collapses the
   # year — and the month/weekday where possible — so nothing repeats unnecessarily.
   def date_range
-    s = start_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone)
-    e = (end_date || start_date).in_time_zone(Time.zone)
+    s = start_date.in_time_zone(event_zone)
+    e = (end_date || start_date).in_time_zone(event_zone)
     return s.strftime("%a, %b %-d, %Y") if s.to_date == e.to_date
 
     if s.year == e.year && s.month == e.month
@@ -61,8 +61,8 @@ def date_range
   # Same collapsed range as `date_range` but without the weekday prefix
   # (e.g. "Sep 20-21, 2026") — for tighter contexts where the weekday is noise.
   def short_date_range
-    s = start_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone)
-    e = (end_date || start_date).in_time_zone(Time.zone)
+    s = start_date.in_time_zone(event_zone)
+    e = (end_date || start_date).in_time_zone(event_zone)
     return s.strftime("%b %-d, %Y") if s.to_date == e.to_date
 
     if s.year == e.year && s.month == e.month
@@ -212,12 +212,14 @@ def videoconference_calendar_pending_note_html(portal_url, payment_pending: fals
   # the "both days" notes in the registration details panel.
   def multi_day?
     return false unless start_date && end_date
-    start_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone).to_date != end_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone).to_date
+    start_date.in_time_zone(event_zone).to_date != end_date.in_time_zone(event_zone).to_date
   end
 
-  def times(display_day: false, display_date: false, inline: false, styled: false)
-    s = start_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone)
-    e = (end_date || start_date).in_time_zone(Time.zone)
+  # Renders in the event's own zone by default; mailers pass `zone:` to show times
+  # in the recipient's zone instead.
+  def times(display_day: false, display_date: false, inline: false, styled: false, zone: event_zone)
+    s = start_date.in_time_zone(zone)
+    e = (end_date || start_date).in_time_zone(zone)
     tz_abbr = s.strftime("%Z")
     muted = styled ? "text-lg font-normal text-blue-400" : nil
 
diff --git a/app/helpers/application_helper.rb b/app/helpers/application_helper.rb
index 99b790e99c..38e608307d 100644
--- a/app/helpers/application_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/application_helper.rb
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def default_reminder_message(days_until_event)
   # reminder page (admins can edit it). Mirrors the mailer's fallback subject; the
   # event date is event-level, resolved here in the app default time zone.
   def default_reminder_subject(event)
-    date_suffix = event.start_date.present? ? " – #{event.start_date.in_time_zone.strftime('%B %-d, %Y')}" : ""
+    date_suffix = event.start_date.present? ? " – #{event.start_date.in_time_zone(event.event_zone).strftime('%B %-d, %Y')}" : ""
     "AWBW Portal: Reminder: #{event.title}#{date_suffix}"
   end
 
@@ -119,10 +119,10 @@ def form_header_uses_tokens?(form)
   # Weekday-prefixed date for the registration details panel, without the year
   # (the year lives in the page hero) — e.g. "Wednesday, August 12" or
   # "Thursday-Friday, July 23-24". Nil when the event has no start date.
-  def event_dates_detail_label(event)
+  def event_dates_detail_label(event, zone: event&.event_zone)
     return unless event&.start_date
-    s = event.start_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone)
-    e = (event.end_date || event.start_date).in_time_zone(Time.zone)
+    s = event.start_date.in_time_zone(zone)
+    e = (event.end_date || event.start_date).in_time_zone(zone)
     return s.strftime("%A, %B %-d") if s.to_date == e.to_date
     if s.year == e.year && s.month == e.month
       "#{s.strftime("%A")}-#{e.strftime("%A")}, #{s.strftime("%B %-d")}-#{e.strftime("%-d")}"
@@ -135,8 +135,8 @@ def event_dates_detail_label(event)
   # event show page's date line, or nil when the event has no start date.
   def event_dates_label(event)
     return unless event&.start_date
-    s = event.start_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone)
-    e = (event.end_date || event.start_date).in_time_zone(Time.zone)
+    s = event.start_date.in_time_zone(event.event_zone)
+    e = (event.end_date || event.start_date).in_time_zone(event.event_zone)
     return s.strftime("%B %-d, %Y") if s.to_date == e.to_date
     if s.year == e.year && s.month == e.month
       "#{s.strftime("%B %-d")}-#{e.strftime("%-d")}, #{s.year}"
@@ -149,10 +149,10 @@ def event_dates_label(event)
 
   # Event start-end time as plain text (e.g. "9 am - 4:30 pm PST"), mirroring the
   # event show page's time formatting (minutes hidden when :00), or nil with no start.
-  def event_times_label(event)
+  def event_times_label(event, zone: event&.event_zone)
     return unless event&.start_date
-    s = event.start_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone)
-    e = (event.end_date || event.start_date).in_time_zone(Time.zone)
+    s = event.start_date.in_time_zone(zone)
+    e = (event.end_date || event.start_date).in_time_zone(zone)
     format = ->(d) do
       t = d.strftime("%-l")
       t += ":#{d.strftime("%M")}" unless d.strftime("%M") == "00"
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ def event_registration_close_label(event)
   def event_registration_close_date_label(event)
     close = event&.registration_close_date
     return unless close
-    close.in_time_zone(Time.zone).strftime("%B %-d")
+    close.in_time_zone(event.event_zone).strftime("%B %-d")
   end
 
   # Just the time portion of the registration close, prefixed with "at" and
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ def event_registration_close_date_label(event)
   def event_registration_close_time_label(event)
     close = event&.registration_close_date
     return unless close
-    local = close.in_time_zone(Time.zone)
+    local = close.in_time_zone(event.event_zone)
     time = local.strftime("%-l")
     time += ":#{local.strftime("%M")}" unless local.strftime("%M") == "00"
     time += local.strftime("%P")
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ def event_registration_close_time_label(event)
   # fall back to two days out at 9am.
   def event_registration_close_default(event)
     start = event&.start_date
-    base = start ? (start.in_time_zone(Time.zone) - 1.day).beginning_of_week(:monday) : 2.days.from_now
+    base = start ? (start.in_time_zone(event.event_zone) - 1.day).beginning_of_week(:monday) : 2.days.from_now
     base.change(hour: 9, min: 0)
   end
 
diff --git a/app/models/event.rb b/app/models/event.rb
index 7b2be39a22..7e07d282ea 100644
--- a/app/models/event.rb
+++ b/app/models/event.rb
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ class Event < ApplicationRecord
   # Validations
   validates_presence_of :title, :start_date, :end_date
   validates_inclusion_of :published, in: [ true, false ]
+  validate :time_zone_must_be_valid
   validates_numericality_of :cost_cents, greater_than_or_equal_to: 0, allow_nil: true
   validate :registration_form_required_when_publicly_registerable, on: :update
   validate :staff_members_are_unique, on: :update
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ def self.remote_search(query)
   end
 
   def remote_search_label
-    label = start_date ? "#{title} (#{start_date.to_date.to_fs(:long)})" : title
+    label = start_date ? "#{title} (#{start_date.in_time_zone(event_zone).to_date.to_fs(:long)})" : title
     { id: id, label: label }
   end
 
@@ -179,8 +180,8 @@ def registerable?
   def day_count
     return 1 if start_date.blank?
 
-    last_day = (end_date.presence || start_date).to_date
-    span = (last_day - start_date.to_date).to_i + 1
+    last_day = (end_date.presence || start_date).in_time_zone(event_zone).to_date
+    span = (last_day - start_date.in_time_zone(event_zone).to_date).to_i + 1
     span.clamp(1, 5)
   end
 
@@ -190,7 +191,7 @@ def time_title
 
   # Like time_title but date only — no time or parens — for filter dropdowns.
   def date_title
-    start_date ? "#{start_date.to_date.iso8601} — #{name}" : name
+    start_date ? "#{start_date.in_time_zone(event_zone).to_date.iso8601} — #{name}" : name
   end
 
   def full_name
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@ def full_name
   end
 
   def start_text
-    start_date.strftime("%Y-%m-%d @ %I:%M %p")
+    start_date.in_time_zone(event_zone).strftime("%Y-%m-%d @ %I:%M %p")
   end
 
   def name
@@ -212,33 +213,47 @@ def ce_hours_label
     registration_ticket_callouts.find_by(builtin_key: "ce_hours")&.title.presence || "CE hours"
   end
 
-  # Virtual attributes for date/time inputs (Firefox datetime-local compat)
+  # Default zone for events with no explicit time_zone — existing rows are left
+  # NULL (no backfill) and read as Pacific, and the form selector defaults here.
+  DEFAULT_TIME_ZONE = "Pacific Time (US & Canada)".freeze
+
+  # The event's own canonical zone — the times entered and displayed are pinned to
+  # it, so an event no longer floats to whoever's viewing. A blank/unrecognized
+  # column falls back to the default (Pacific).
+  def event_zone
+    ActiveSupport::TimeZone[time_zone.presence || DEFAULT_TIME_ZONE] ||
+      ActiveSupport::TimeZone[DEFAULT_TIME_ZONE]
+  end
+
+  # Virtual attributes for date/time inputs (Firefox datetime-local compat). Read
+  # and write in the event's own zone so the form round-trips wall-clock times
+  # regardless of the editing admin's session zone.
   attr_writer :start_date_date, :start_date_time,
               :end_date_date, :end_date_time,
               :registration_close_date_date, :registration_close_date_time
 
   def start_date_date
-    @start_date_date || start_date&.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+    @start_date_date || start_date&.in_time_zone(event_zone)&.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
   end
 
   def start_date_time
-    @start_date_time || start_date&.strftime("%H:%M")
+    @start_date_time || start_date&.in_time_zone(event_zone)&.strftime("%H:%M")
   end
 
   def end_date_date
-    @end_date_date || end_date&.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+    @end_date_date || end_date&.in_time_zone(event_zone)&.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
   end
 
   def end_date_time
-    @end_date_time || end_date&.strftime("%H:%M")
+    @end_date_time || end_date&.in_time_zone(event_zone)&.strftime("%H:%M")
   end
 
   def registration_close_date_date
-    @registration_close_date_date || registration_close_date&.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+    @registration_close_date_date || registration_close_date&.in_time_zone(event_zone)&.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
   end
 
   def registration_close_date_time
-    @registration_close_date_time || registration_close_date&.strftime("%H:%M")
+    @registration_close_date_time || registration_close_date&.in_time_zone(event_zone)&.strftime("%H:%M")
   end
 
   # Virtual attribute for cost in dollars (converts to/from cost_cents)
@@ -315,9 +330,15 @@ def merge_date_time(field)
 
   def build_datetime(date_str, time_str)
     return nil if date_str.blank? && time_str.blank?
-    return Time.zone.parse(date_str) if date_str.present? && time_str.blank?
-    return Time.zone.parse("2000-01-01 #{time_str}") if date_str.blank? && time_str.present?
-    Time.zone.parse("#{date_str} #{time_str}")
+    return event_zone.parse(date_str) if date_str.present? && time_str.blank?
+    return event_zone.parse("2000-01-01 #{time_str}") if date_str.blank? && time_str.present?
+    event_zone.parse("#{date_str} #{time_str}")
+  end
+
+  def time_zone_must_be_valid
+    return if time_zone.blank? || ActiveSupport::TimeZone[time_zone]
+
+    errors.add(:time_zone, "is not a valid time zone")
   end
 
   def registration_form_required_when_publicly_registerable
diff --git a/app/models/event_registration.rb b/app/models/event_registration.rb
index a23354bc7a..2a7e8e350a 100644
--- a/app/models/event_registration.rb
+++ b/app/models/event_registration.rb
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ def self.search_by_params(params)
   end
 
   def name
-    "(#{ registrant&.full_name }) #{ event.start_date.strftime("%Y-%m-%d @ %I:%M %p") }: #{ event.title }"
+    "(#{ registrant&.full_name }) #{ event.start_date.in_time_zone(event.event_zone).strftime("%Y-%m-%d @ %I:%M %p") }: #{ event.title }"
   end
 
   # Email the communications box matches notifications against. Uniform accessor
diff --git a/app/policies/event_policy.rb b/app/policies/event_policy.rb
index 3d054f6264..dbb8927f6a 100644
--- a/app/policies/event_policy.rb
+++ b/app/policies/event_policy.rb
@@ -160,6 +160,7 @@ def google_analytics?
                   :pre_date_text,
                   :facilitator_training,
                   :featured,
+                  :time_zone,
                   :start_date, :start_date_date, :start_date_time,
                   :end_date, :end_date_date, :end_date_time,
                   :registration_close_date, :registration_close_date_date, :registration_close_date_time,
diff --git a/app/views/event_mailer/_event_details_card.html.erb b/app/views/event_mailer/_event_details_card.html.erb
index 4d168e1203..01f6824651 100644
--- a/app/views/event_mailer/_event_details_card.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/event_mailer/_event_details_card.html.erb
@@ -13,18 +13,16 @@
     <%= event.title %>
   </h2>
 
-  <% Time.use_zone(time_zone) do %>
-    <% if event_dates_detail_label(event.object).present? %>
-      <p style="font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; color: #1e3a8c; text-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 4px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">
-        <%= event_dates_detail_label(event.object) %>
-      </p>
-    <% end %>
+  <% if event_dates_detail_label(event.object, zone: time_zone).present? %>
+    <p style="font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; color: #1e3a8c; text-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 4px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">
+      <%= event_dates_detail_label(event.object, zone: time_zone) %>
+    </p>
+  <% end %>
 
-    <% if event_times_label(event.object).present? %>
-      <p style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; color: #1e3a8c; text-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 8px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">
-        <%= event_times_label(event.object) %>
-      </p>
-    <% end %>
+  <% if event_times_label(event.object, zone: time_zone).present? %>
+    <p style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; color: #1e3a8c; text-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 8px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">
+      <%= event_times_label(event.object, zone: time_zone) %>
+    </p>
   <% end %>
 
   <% if event.labelled_cost.present? %>
diff --git a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_cancelled.html.erb b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_cancelled.html.erb
index 81504622ee..b02033c91f 100644
--- a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_cancelled.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_cancelled.html.erb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     </h2>
 
     <p style="font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; color: #1e3a8c; text-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 8px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">
-      <% Time.use_zone(@time_zone) { %><%= @event.times(display_day: true, display_date: true) %><% } %>
+      <%= @event.times(display_day: true, display_date: true, zone: @time_zone) %>
     </p>
 
     <% if @event.location.present? %>
diff --git a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_cancelled.text.erb b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_cancelled.text.erb
index ac450c603e..84bce1cf94 100644
--- a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_cancelled.text.erb
+++ b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_cancelled.text.erb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Your registration for the following event has been cancelled:
 
 <% if @event.respond_to?(:pre_title) && @event.pre_title.present? %><%= @event.pre_title %>
 <% end %><%= @event.title %>
-<% Time.use_zone(@time_zone) { %><%= @event.times(display_day: true, display_date: true) %><% } %>
+<%= @event.times(display_day: true, display_date: true, zone: @time_zone) %>
 
 <% if @event.location.present? %>
 Location: <%= @event.location.name %>
diff --git a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_confirmation.html.erb b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_confirmation.html.erb
index 16dee070c4..19fbb097ed 100644
--- a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_confirmation.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_confirmation.html.erb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     </h2>
 
     <p style="font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; color: #1e3a8c; text-transform: uppercase; margin: 0 0 8px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">
-      <% Time.use_zone(@time_zone) { %><%= @event.times(display_day: true, display_date: true) %><% } %>
+      <%= @event.times(display_day: true, display_date: true, zone: @time_zone) %>
     </p>
 
     <% if @event.labelled_cost.present? %>
diff --git a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_confirmation.text.erb b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_confirmation.text.erb
index 0cdf4aab69..9de78789ed 100644
--- a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_confirmation.text.erb
+++ b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_confirmation.text.erb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ This message confirms your registration for the following event:
 
 <% if @event.respond_to?(:pre_title) && @event.pre_title.present? %><%= @event.pre_title %>
 <% end %><%= @event.title %>
-<% Time.use_zone(@time_zone) { %><%= @event.times(display_day: true, display_date: true) %><% } %>
+<%= @event.times(display_day: true, display_date: true, zone: @time_zone) %>
 
 <% if @event.location.present? %>
 Location: <%= @event.location.name %>
diff --git a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_reminder.text.erb b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_reminder.text.erb
index 220570b8a0..5015fbd589 100644
--- a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_reminder.text.erb
+++ b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_reminder.text.erb
@@ -5,14 +5,12 @@ Event reminder Hello<%= @person.full_name %>,
 <% if @event.respond_to?(:pre_title) && @event.pre_title.present? %>
   <%= @event.pre_title %>
 <% end %><%= @event.title %>
-<% Time.use_zone(@time_zone) do %>
-  <% if event_dates_detail_label(@event.object).present? %>
-    <%= event_dates_detail_label(@event.object) %>
-  <% end %>
+<% if event_dates_detail_label(@event.object, zone: @time_zone).present? %>
+  <%= event_dates_detail_label(@event.object, zone: @time_zone) %>
+<% end %>
 
-  <% if event_times_label(@event.object).present? %>
-    <%= event_times_label(@event.object) %>
-  <% end %>
+<% if event_times_label(@event.object, zone: @time_zone).present? %>
+  <%= event_times_label(@event.object, zone: @time_zone) %>
 <% end %>
 <% if event_location_label(@event.object).present? %>
   Location:
diff --git a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_reminder_fyi.text.erb b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_reminder_fyi.text.erb
index 7a418c5527..eedec2d504 100644
--- a/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_reminder_fyi.text.erb
+++ b/app/views/event_mailer/event_registration_reminder_fyi.text.erb
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ Reminder content sent to each registrant:
 <% if @custom_message.present? %><%= strip_tags(@custom_message).strip %>
 
 <% end %><%= @event.title %>
-<% Time.use_zone(@time_zone) do %><% if event_dates_detail_label(@event.object).present? %><%= event_dates_detail_label(@event.object) %>
-<% end %><% if event_times_label(@event.object).present? %><%= event_times_label(@event.object) %>
-<% end %><% end %><% if @event.labelled_cost.present? %>
+<% if event_dates_detail_label(@event.object, zone: @time_zone).present? %><%= event_dates_detail_label(@event.object, zone: @time_zone) %>
+<% end %><% if event_times_label(@event.object, zone: @time_zone).present? %><%= event_times_label(@event.object, zone: @time_zone) %>
+<% end %><% if @event.labelled_cost.present? %>
 <%= @event.labelled_cost %>
 <% end %><% if event_location_label(@event.object).present? %>
 Location: <%= event_location_label(@event.object) %>
diff --git a/app/views/events/_form.html.erb b/app/views/events/_form.html.erb
index 042b3c7ed2..b414eddc58 100644
--- a/app/views/events/_form.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/events/_form.html.erb
@@ -77,6 +77,17 @@
       <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-6">
         <%# LEFT: Date/time, cost + pre-date text, videoconference + location %>
         <div class="md:col-span-2 space-y-6">
+          <div class="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-2 gap-y-1 rounded-lg border border-gray-200 bg-white px-3 py-2">
+            <label for="event_time_zone" class="flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm text-gray-600">
+              <%= icon("fa-solid fa-earth-americas", class: "text-gray-400") %>
+              The times below are in
+            </label>
+            <%= f.time_zone_select :time_zone,
+                       ActiveSupport::TimeZone.us_zones,
+                       { default: Event::DEFAULT_TIME_ZONE },
+                       class: "min-w-0 flex-1 rounded border-gray-300 shadow-sm px-2 py-1.5 text-sm focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-blue-500" %>
+          </div>
+
           <div class="grid grid-cols-[repeat(auto-fit,minmax(min(100%,13rem),1fr))] gap-3">
             <div class="bg-white border border-gray-200 rounded-lg p-3">
               <h3 class="font-medium mb-2">Start</h3>
@@ -225,7 +236,7 @@
           <p class="text-sm text-gray-500 mb-3">Toggle which details appear on the event page.<br>Fields with no value will be ignored.</p>
 
           <div class="space-y-2">
-            <% tz = Time.zone %>
+            <% tz = @event.event_zone %>
             <% tz_abbr = @event.start_date.present? ? @event.start_date.in_time_zone(tz).strftime("%Z") : Time.current.strftime("%Z") %>
 
             <%= f.input :autoshow_pre_date_text, as: :boolean, label: ("Pre-date text" + (@event.pre_date_text.present? ? " <span class='text-gray-400 font-normal'>#{h @event.pre_date_text}</span>" : "")).html_safe %>
diff --git a/app/views/events/show.html.erb b/app/views/events/show.html.erb
index 390644248a..2dcbda8b42 100644
--- a/app/views/events/show.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/events/show.html.erb
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@
   <% unless current_user && @event.actively_registered?(current_user.person) %>
     <% if @event.autoshow_registration_close && @event.registration_close_date %>
       <div class="text-base text-gray-700">
-        <% tz_abbr = @event.start_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone).strftime("%Z") %>
-        Registration closes <%= @event.registration_close_date.in_time_zone(Time.zone).strftime("%B %-d, %Y %l:%M %P") %> <%= tz_abbr %>
+        <% tz_abbr = @event.start_date.in_time_zone(@event.event_zone).strftime("%Z") %>
+        Registration closes <%= @event.registration_close_date.in_time_zone(@event.event_zone).strftime("%B %-d, %Y %l:%M %P") %> <%= tz_abbr %>
       </div>
     <% end %>
   <% end %>
diff --git a/db/migrate/20260804000708_add_time_zone_to_events.rb b/db/migrate/20260804000708_add_time_zone_to_events.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2da3c21590
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20260804000708_add_time_zone_to_events.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+class AddTimeZoneToEvents < ActiveRecord::Migration[8.1]
+  # Nullable with no default: existing rows stay NULL (no backfill), and the app
+  # treats a blank zone as Pacific via Event#event_zone. New events entered through
+  # the form carry an explicit zone (the selector defaults to Pacific).
+  def up
+    add_column :events, :time_zone, :string
+  end
+
+  def down
+    remove_column :events, :time_zone, if_exists: true
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/schema.rb b/db/schema.rb
index 7294af8199..622b603bd1 100644
--- a/db/schema.rb
+++ b/db/schema.rb
@@ -563,6 +563,7 @@
     t.text "short_description"
     t.boolean "signed_in_one_click_enabled", default: false, null: false
     t.datetime "start_date", precision: nil
+    t.string "time_zone"
     t.string "title"
     t.datetime "updated_at", null: false
     t.string "videoconference_label", default: "Virtual event"
diff --git a/spec/factories/events.rb b/spec/factories/events.rb
index 24ee680315..fb38d50fe1 100644
--- a/spec/factories/events.rb
+++ b/spec/factories/events.rb
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@
     association :created_by, factory: :user
     title { "sample title" }
     description { "sample description" }
+    # Default to the ambient zone so factory-built times (`Time.zone.local(...)`)
+    # display in the same zone they were constructed in. Production events default
+    # to Pacific via the DB column; override explicitly to exercise zone behavior.
+    time_zone { Time.zone.name }
     start_date { 12.days.from_now }
     end_date   { 14.days.from_now }
     registration_close_date { 13.days.from_now }
diff --git a/spec/mailers/event_mailer_spec.rb b/spec/mailers/event_mailer_spec.rb
index a4291b031e..f33fc36469 100644
--- a/spec/mailers/event_mailer_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/mailers/event_mailer_spec.rb
@@ -17,6 +17,26 @@
       expect(mail.subject).to include(event_registration.event.title)
     end
 
+    context "when the recipient's zone differs from the event's zone" do
+      # Event pinned to Pacific: 19:00-20:00 UTC on 2031-06-15 = 12-1 pm PDT, but
+      # the email shows the recipient's own zone — 3-4 pm EDT for an Eastern user.
+      let(:event) do
+        create(:event,
+          time_zone: "Pacific Time (US & Canada)",
+          start_date: Time.utc(2031, 6, 15, 19, 0, 0),
+          end_date: Time.utc(2031, 6, 15, 20, 0, 0))
+      end
+      let(:eastern_user) { create(:user, time_zone: "Eastern Time (US & Canada)") }
+      let(:registrant) { create(:person, user: eastern_user) }
+      let(:event_registration) { create(:event_registration, event: event, registrant: registrant) }
+
+      it "renders the event time in the recipient's zone, not the event's" do
+        body = mail.body.encoded
+        expect(body).to include("3 - 4 pm EDT")
+        expect(body).not_to include("12 - 1 pm")
+      end
+    end
+
     context "when a scholarship was not requested" do
       let(:event_registration) { create(:event_registration, scholarship_requested: false) }
 
diff --git a/spec/models/event_spec.rb b/spec/models/event_spec.rb
index 652dd435fe..bc386c796f 100644
--- a/spec/models/event_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/event_spec.rb
@@ -49,6 +49,41 @@
     end
   end
 
+  describe "time zone" do
+    it "is invalid when the time_zone is not a recognized zone" do
+      event = build(:event, time_zone: "Mars/Olympus")
+      expect(event).not_to be_valid
+      expect(event.errors[:time_zone]).to include("is not a valid time zone")
+    end
+
+    it "treats a blank time_zone as Pacific (no backfill needed for existing rows)" do
+      event = build(:event, time_zone: nil)
+      expect(event).to be_valid
+      expect(event.event_zone).to eq(ActiveSupport::TimeZone["Pacific Time (US & Canada)"])
+    end
+
+    it "interprets typed times in the event's own zone, not the session zone" do
+      # An Eastern admin editing a Pacific event: the 2:00 PM they type must be
+      # stored as 2:00 PM Pacific regardless of the request zone.
+      event = build(:event, time_zone: "Pacific Time (US & Canada)")
+      event.assign_attributes(start_date_date: "2026-09-14", start_date_time: "14:00")
+
+      Time.use_zone("Eastern Time (US & Canada)") { event.valid? }
+
+      expect(event.start_date.utc).to eq(Time.find_zone!("Pacific Time (US & Canada)").local(2026, 9, 14, 14, 0).utc)
+    end
+
+    it "renders the form readers in the event's zone regardless of the session zone" do
+      event = create(:event, time_zone: "Pacific Time (US & Canada)",
+                             start_date: Time.find_zone!("Pacific Time (US & Canada)").local(2026, 9, 14, 14, 0))
+
+      Time.use_zone("Eastern Time (US & Canada)") do
+        expect(event.start_date_time).to eq("14:00")
+        expect(event.start_date_date).to eq("2026-09-14")
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
   describe "#date_title" do
     it "labels the event by date and title, without the time or parens" do
       event = build(:event, title: "Youth Creativity Day", start_date: Time.zone.local(2026, 9, 14, 14, 9))
diff --git a/spec/requests/events_spec.rb b/spec/requests/events_spec.rb
index 7c69211314..b8e6be586c 100644
--- a/spec/requests/events_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/requests/events_spec.rb
@@ -36,36 +36,34 @@ def offer_ce!(target_event)
       expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
     end
 
-    context "when user time_zone is set" do
-      # 19:00 UTC = 12:00 noon PT = 15:00 (3 pm) ET (June 15, 2031 with DST)
-      let(:utc_start) { Time.utc(2031, 6, 15, 19, 0, 0) }
-      let(:utc_end)   { Time.utc(2031, 6, 15, 20, 0, 0) }
-      let!(:event_with_fixed_times) do
+    context "when the event has its own time zone" do
+      # 19:00-20:00 UTC = 12:00-1:00 pm PDT on June 15, 2031. The event is pinned
+      # to Pacific, so every viewer sees the same event-local time — it no longer
+      # shifts to the viewer's own zone.
+      let!(:pacific_event) do
         create(:event, :published,
-          start_date: utc_start,
-          end_date: utc_end,
+          time_zone: "Pacific Time (US & Canada)",
+          start_date: Time.utc(2031, 6, 15, 19, 0, 0),
+          end_date: Time.utc(2031, 6, 15, 20, 0, 0),
           title: "Timezone test event")
       end
 
-      it "displays start time in Pacific (PT) for user with time_zone PT" do
-        user_pt = create(:user)
-        sign_in user_pt
-        get event_url(event_with_fixed_times)
+      it "displays the event's zone to a Pacific viewer" do
+        sign_in create(:user, time_zone: "Pacific Time (US & Canada)")
+        get event_url(pacific_event)
         expect(response).to be_successful
-        # 19:00 UTC = 12:00 noon PT (styled format on show page)
         expect(response.body).to include("June 15, 2031")
         expect(response.body).to include("12 pm - 1 pm")
+        expect(response.body).to include("PDT")
       end
 
-      it "displays start time in Eastern for user with time_zone America/New_York" do
-        user_et = create(:user, time_zone: "Eastern Time (US & Canada)")
-        sign_in user_et
-        get event_url(event_with_fixed_times)
-
+      it "displays the same event-zone time to an Eastern viewer (no per-viewer shift)" do
+        sign_in create(:user, time_zone: "Eastern Time (US & Canada)")
+        get event_url(pacific_event)
         expect(response).to be_successful
-        # 19:00 UTC = 3:00 pm ET (styled format on show page)
         expect(response.body).to include("June 15, 2031")
-        expect(response.body).to include("3 pm - 4 pm")
+        expect(response.body).to include("12 pm - 1 pm")
+        expect(response.body).to include("PDT")
       end
     end
   end
@@ -640,13 +638,15 @@ def offer_ce!(target_event)
         expect(created.end_date.utc).to eq(Time.utc(2025, 6, 15, 20, 0, 0))
       end
 
-      it "stores start_date/end_date in UTC when created by user in Eastern time zone" do
+      it "interprets typed times in the event's chosen zone, not the admin's session zone" do
         admin_et = create(:user, :admin, time_zone: "Eastern Time (US & Canada)")
         sign_in admin_et
-        # 15:00–16:00 ET (EDT) on 2025-06-15 = 19:00–20:00 UTC
+        # The admin's session is Eastern, but the event is set to Pacific — so
+        # 15:00–16:00 PT (PDT) on 2025-06-15 = 22:00–23:00 UTC.
         post events_url, params: { event: {
-          title: "ET event",
+          title: "PT event",
           description: "desc",
+          time_zone: "Pacific Time (US & Canada)",
           start_date_date: "2025-06-15",
           start_date_time: "15:00",
           end_date_date: "2025-06-15",
@@ -657,8 +657,9 @@ def offer_ce!(target_event)
 
         created = Event.order(created_at: :desc).first
         expect(response).to redirect_to(event_url(created))
-        expect(created.start_date.utc).to eq(Time.utc(2025, 6, 15, 19, 0, 0))
-        expect(created.end_date.utc).to eq(Time.utc(2025, 6, 15, 20, 0, 0))
+        expect(created.time_zone).to eq("Pacific Time (US & Canada)")
+        expect(created.start_date.utc).to eq(Time.utc(2025, 6, 15, 22, 0, 0))
+        expect(created.end_date.utc).to eq(Time.utc(2025, 6, 15, 23, 0, 0))
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/spec/views/events/_form.html.erb_spec.rb b/spec/views/events/_form.html.erb_spec.rb
index 5e709b5e9a..e396036ae9 100644
--- a/spec/views/events/_form.html.erb_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/views/events/_form.html.erb_spec.rb
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
     expect(rendered).to have_selector("input[type='time'][name='event[end_date_time]']")
     expect(rendered).to have_selector("input[type='date'][name='event[registration_close_date_date]']")
     expect(rendered).to have_selector("input[type='time'][name='event[registration_close_date_time]']")
+    expect(rendered).to have_selector("select[name='event[time_zone]']")
     expect(rendered).to have_selector("input[type='checkbox'][name='event[published]']")
   end