Using OR relation in meta_query to check for a value before sorting by another

I think this might be part of the problem in your past query (the second one)

        array(
            'key'     => 'end_date',
            'compare' => 'BETWEEN',
            'type'    => 'NUMERIC',
            'value'   => array($past, $now),
        ),

You’re using BETWEEN but I think something like < would be what you want. You don’t want to show events that have ended between $past and $now, right? You want to show events that have ended in general.

        array(
            'key'     => 'end_date',
            'compare' => '<',
            'type'    => 'NUMERIC',
            'value'   => $now,
        ),

Related Posts:

  1. Comparing timestamps in meta query doesn’t work
  2. Display two post types ordered by two custom fields
  3. Custom Query: If One Post Object Field Value Is The Same As Another
  4. Meta query and compare “!=” not working as expected
  5. Get Posts ordered by a date custom meta field
  6. Using meta_query, how can i filter by a custom field and order by another one?
  7. meta_query for keys that aren’t yet set
  8. WP_Query orderby custom field then post_date in one query
  9. Query custom post type by custom field
  10. Filtering a WP_Query meta_query by numeric values isn’t working
  11. Querying custom post type with 2 custom fields (date-range)
  12. Custom Queries: Joining On Meta Values From Two Custom Post Types
  13. How Can I save multiple records in same meta key?
  14. order by meta_value serialized array
  15. WP insert post PHP function dynamically generated Custom Fields
  16. How loop through posts based on custom fields
  17. Having trouble with custom date field for CPT query (WordPress)
  18. Display custom post types with custom date field value (before today) & order by custom date field
  19. Sort posts based on multiple custom fields
  20. Conditional to modify query results
  21. Filtering by Post Meta Custom Fields – Performance
  22. Ignore sticky posts if post is not in meta query
  23. query posts and custom post type with meta key
  24. meta_query compare >= not working but
  25. WP_Query: include custom post type only with specific meta value
  26. Returning a list of custom post types excluding those without a specific meta_value
  27. Two near-identical custom field types – one works, the other doesn’t . What can cause this?
  28. wp_query check if integer exists in custom field’s array
  29. Filtering custom post type on a combination of custom taxonomies and custom fields?
  30. Meta query for custom post type ignored in main query
  31. Querying Two Custom Post Types with OR Not Working
  32. Meta Query Not Returning Output Despite Having Matching Values
  33. Meta Query Filtering not working on Custom Meta Box using Radio Buttons
  34. First custom field value (out of several) displayed twice after query
  35. Meta Query posts not showing on ending date of custom field
  36. Admin Custom Meta Box – Pull Last 5 Posts from Custom Post Type
  37. How to Output which matched meta_keys were found from custom_type_posts?
  38. Possible to filter custom post type with multiple meta data?
  39. filter search custom field query
  40. How to let users choose where to search for posts?
  41. Query based on custom fields start and end date
  42. Getting a custom post’s custom field based on another custom post’s custom field select
  43. How to conditionally add Custom Post Type to Front Page
  44. Display a post from custom post type only if all the selected taxonomies and custom field value matches the record
  45. Filtering custom posts by custom fields (ACF) [closed]
  46. order the meta query results by 2 custom fields
  47. WP Query from two Custom Post type fields as statement
  48. Unable to gather Image URL from Custom Post Type’s; Custom Meta Field
  49. Orderby if between two meta fields
  50. Show posts from WP Custom Post Type selected from a field in a metabox
  51. How do I query with multiple custom fields orderby in same column?
  52. meta query multiple values for the same key
  53. Sort custom post archives by a meta value from a different custom post type?
  54. Custom post types – meta_query: search lesson which starts sooner
  55. post type => ‘any’ not applied my custom queries
  56. Meta_Query refuses to return results
  57. Sort loop by custom field from different post type
  58. Meta_query by date for Events archive
  59. How do I display specific custom posts, and how do I edit a post’s singular page?
  60. Query events post type after current date and timezone
  61. Show first posts with custom field not empty and order all by title
  62. Conditional posts in WP_query for search
  63. meta query always fails even if data is correct
  64. Selecting posts older than the current Unix epoch timestamp
  65. Unable to get the upcoming events for custom post
  66. Filter CPT based on meta box value using Flexible Posts widget?
  67. WP_Query arguments: Loop through custom post type – get all entries except excluded meta_key?
  68. loop through custom post-type with two meta_keys
  69. Querying meta values within an array
  70. How to grab data (titles, thumbnails and custom fields) from multiple posts to populate a new array efficiently?
  71. Custom Post Type + Custom Meta Query Not Showing 2012 Posts
  72. Filter Custom post type by another Custom post type
  73. Check for custom field value in different post type than current one and do something
  74. Function to Compare CPT Post Custom Value with Default Posts CF Value
  75. How can I change the admin search posts fields?
  76. Random post, once per day
  77. How to select one major category (or custom taxonomy) for a custom post type?
  78. Display posts if a custom field value is equal to another custom field value
  79. Custom Fields vs Separate Table
  80. Show Two custom Post type and their posts on category page
  81. Using several custom fields as custom post title
  82. Calculate all custom field values in the post loop
  83. Role scoping for contributors down to the field level
  84. Having unique constraints for custom fields in a custom post type
  85. List of users that clicked a ‘Join’ button at single post
  86. search custom post type by custom fields on front end
  87. How to copy a custom field from the user’s CPT to the user’s normal posts
  88. Problem On Retrieving Post Meta Data on Custom Column [closed]
  89. Need help with simple “if statement” checks to output particlular CPT data depending on what client uploads/fills out
  90. Is there a (preferable built-in) way to check what custom queries are used in a theme?
  91. Check that a slug is present in the get_terms request
  92. How to display custom field in product description?
  93. Add custom template ‘sub-page’ to Custom Post type?
  94. How to get the posts that my following users are liked?
  95. pagination for a custom query
  96. one get_posts to return a number of custom posts for each meta value
  97. Get result from Custom Field in Custom Post type
  98. How to get lowest price from custom fields of posts
  99. Post object GUID adding http:/
  100. Meta_query question