Event handling is a programming concept that involves responding to user actions or system occurrences, known as events. These events can include mouse clicks, keyboard presses, or changes in data. When an event occurs, the program executes a specific piece of code, called an event handler, to manage the response. In many programming environments, such as JavaScript or Java, event handling is crucial for creating interactive applications. Developers define event listeners that wait for specific events and trigger the corresponding event handlers. This allows for dynamic user experiences, making applications more engaging and responsive.