How to Display Upcoming Scheduled Posts in Your WordPress Sidebar (2 Proven Methods)

One of our readers recently asked how to showcase future scheduled posts in WordPress. Highlighting upcoming content is a smart way to encourage blog subscriptions. In this guide, we'll walk you through displaying future posts in your sidebar with step-by-step instructions backed by years of WordPress expertise.

What Are Scheduled or Future Posts in WordPress?

Experienced bloggers know that timing posts for peak traffic maximizes readership. If you're just starting, use Google Analytics to identify your best posting windows.

The challenge? You can't always publish right away. WordPress' built-in scheduling feature solves this, letting you queue posts for automatic release later.

This pro-level tool helps you maintain a consistent editorial calendar without constant monitoring.

Ready to leverage upcoming posts for more subscribers? We've prepared a video tutorial below, or follow our detailed text guide.

Subscribe to WPBeginner

However, if you prefer written steps, continue with our tutorial on listing scheduled posts in WordPress.

Method 1: Display Future Posts Using a Plugin

Start by installing and activating the SOUP - Show off Upcoming Posts plugin. See our step-by-step WordPress plugin installation guide for details.

After activation, go to Appearance » Widgets. Drag the 'Upcoming Posts' widget to your desired sidebar.

Customize the widget: set the number of posts to show, add dates, RSS links, or email signup pages.

Save changes, then view your site to see it live.

Method 2: Manually Display Upcoming Posts with Code

Add this code to your theme's functions.php file or a site-specific plugin:

function wpb_upcoming_posts() {
    $the_query = new WP_Query(array(
        'post_status'    => 'future',
        'posts_per_page' => 3,
        'orderby'        => 'date',
        'order'          => 'ASC'
    ));

    $output = '';

    if ($the_query->have_posts()) {
        $output .= '<ul>';
        while ($the_query->have_posts()) {
            $the_query->the_post();
            $output .= '<li>' . get_the_title() . ' (' . get_the_time('d-M-Y') . ')</li>';
        }
        $output .= '</ul>';
    } else {
        $output .= '<p>No upcoming posts scheduled yet.</p>';
    }

    wp_reset_postdata();
    return $output;
}
add_shortcode('upcoming_posts', 'wpb_upcoming_posts');
add_filter('widget_text', 'do_shortcode');

Head to Appearance » Widgets, add a Text widget to your sidebar, and insert this shortcode:

[upcoming_posts]

Save, then visit your site. Use the shortcode anywhere—in posts, pages, or child themes.

This article should help you master displaying scheduled posts. Check our roundup of the 25 most useful WordPress widgets next.

Liked this? Subscribe to our WordPress YouTube Channel for more tutorials. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.