I have added the following simple test event on my mysql database via phpmyadmin:
CREATE DEFINER=`root`@`localhost` EVENT `my_event` ON SCHEDULE EVERY 1 MINUTE
Events are run by the scheduler, which is not started by default. Using SHOW PROCESSLIST is possible to check whether it is started. If not, run the command
SHOW PROCESSLIST
SET GLOBAL event_scheduler = ON;
to run it.