# Hacktoberfest 2026

> 300+ in-person Fests plus a global online event, all about building with open-source AI. Join a Fest near you this October.

Hacktoberfest is an annual event stewarded by Major League Hacking (MLH) and DEV, with presenting partner DigitalOcean. It began in 2014 as a pull-request challenge run by DigitalOcean. In 2026 it becomes an event you take part in: 300+ community-hosted, one-day “Fests”, plus an online event open to everyone. The focus is hands-on building with open models, open source agents, and open tooling.

## Start here

- [Hacktoberfest 2026](./): What Hacktoberfest is, every Fest on a map with a search for the nearest, the ways to join online, and how the sticker book works.
- [Mission](./mission/): How Hacktoberfest grew from four pull requests to 300+ events, and why this year is about building with open source AI.
- [Attend online](./online/): What has changed this year, how to earn the sticker pack from anywhere, and what completing Hacktoberfest means.
- [Attend in person](./in-person/): What a Fest is, what has changed this year, and how a day in a room earns the sticker pack.
- [Find a Fest](./fests/): Search Fests by name, city, or country, or find the one nearest you on the map. Every confirmed Fest is also available as JSON from https://hacktoberfest-api.mlh.com/api/events, which is the same data the page renders and the better source for a machine.
- [Host a Fest](./host/): Fest applications are now closed. The Fest formats, the support hosts get, and MLH Hack Days for anyone who still wants to host.
- [Sponsor Hacktoberfest](./sponsor/): The confirmed sponsor wall, the campaign footprint, and what a partnership carries.
- [October schedule](./schedule/): Every online event in October — Global Hack Week, workshops, streams, and the opening and closing ceremonies.
- [Activities](./activities/): The activities that earn a sticker pack and complete Hacktoberfest, and how completion is tracked.
- [FAQs](./questions/): The full set of questions on taking part, pull requests, Fests and Hack Days, DEV Challenges, rewards, and where to get help.
- [Brand kit](./brand/): The colors, fonts, and logos, with every logo downloadable in ink, white, and forest green.
- [Complete event context](./llms-full.txt): The full public copy of the site as one plain-text file.

## Taking part

- Fest applications are now closed. Fests run through October in two formats: Hack Days, funded mini-hackathons where people build projects, and Meet Ups, lighter gatherings that MLH does not fund. Anyone who still wants to host can apply to host an MLH Hack Day (https://www.mlh.com/hack-days), a separate MLH program of free, in-person mini hackathons held on a date the host picks.
- Sponsorship has its own page at /sponsor/: the confirmed sponsor wall, the campaign footprint, and how to start sponsor setup or request partnership info.
- Confirmed Fests are published at /fests/, searchable by name, city, or country, with a map and a nearest-to-me sort. Individual Fests set their own attendee sign-up, linked from the directory. More Fests are added as they are approved, so the list grows through Preptember.

## The story so far

- [2014](./mission/#history): A challenge is born. DigitalOcean launches Hacktoberfest: open four pull requests in October, earn a t-shirt.
- [2015–2025](./mission/#history): A generation joins open source. Thousands of developers made their first contribution and discovered the power of community! As the ecosystem grew, maintainers started to face a massive flood of activity and burnout from the rise of low-effort PRs.
- [2026](./mission/#history): A new chapter. Under the stewardship of long-time partners Major League Hacking (MLH) and DEV, Hacktoberfest refocuses on high-value, meaningful learning. Online and local events (Fests) everywhere, all about building with open source AI.

## The mission

Hacktoberfest 2026 is about meeting you wherever you are in your open source AI journey because we believe AI belongs to everyone.

## Common questions

- What is Hacktoberfest 2026?
- How do I earn swag?
- How do I take part?
- Who can take part?
- Is it free to attend a Fest?
- Do I still submit pull requests to earn swag?
- How is Hacktoberfest 2026 different from previous years?
- How can I still get involved in open source?
- What happens at a Fest?
- Are beginners welcome?
- What should I bring to a Fest?
- Where can I find event details or ask about accommodations?
- Can I enter a Hack Day alone or with a team?
- What are the Hack Day project rules?
- Does every member of my team have to register and check in?
- How do I submit a Hack Day project?
- When do I need to complete and submit my project?
- How are Hack Day winners chosen?
- How do DEV Challenges work?
- Where can I find DEV Challenge rules and deadlines?
- Will I receive a participation certificate?
- Can I earn a DEV badge?
- What prizes can I win at a Hack Day?
- Can I get a T-shirt or event swag?
- Who can earn a sticker pack?
- How do I earn a sticker pack?
- Which activities count toward a sticker pack?
- When will my sticker pack arrive?
- Does activity completed before the milestones are announced count?
- Who can help with questions about my Fest?
- Where can I get help with a DEV Challenge?
- Who can help with swag, prizes, or general Hacktoberfest questions?
- How do I report harassment or a safety concern?

Answers to all of these are in [llms-full.txt](./llms-full.txt).

## Key facts

- Dates: October 2026. Specific Fest dates are not yet announced.
- Format: in person at 300+ local Fests, plus a global online event.
- Organizers: Major League Hacking (MLH) and DEV.
- Presenting partner: DigitalOcean.
- Theme: AI belongs to everyone, and the focus is open source AI.