Everything you need to know.

Hacktoberfest is a global celebration of open source that runs throughout October. This year, Hacktoberfest is run by Major League Hacking (MLH) and DEV in partnership with DigitalOcean.

Hacktoberfest 2026 will feature 300+ in-person and online community events worldwide focused on hands-on building, experimentation, and learning with open-source AI and open-weight models. In previous years, Hacktoberfest focused on counting individual contributions to open-source projects.

The AI landscape is rapidly evolving. There is uncertainty around future AI access, pricing, and regulations. By prioritizing education about open-weight models and open-source AI, we help build resilience around our overall ecosystem.

Open source runs 365 days a year, and you can get started anytime. Just because Hacktoberfest isn’t incentivizing open source contributions with swag doesn’t mean you can’t contribute any more. Check out this guide to get started.

With the rise of AI tools making low-effort PRs trivial to generate, open-source maintainers faced unprecedented floods of noise, spam, and burnout. In 2026, Hacktoberfest is refocusing on high-value, meaningful learning, collaborative events, and open-source AI development rather than raw PR volume.

Anyone aged 13 and older worldwide is welcome to participate, subject to U.S. export controls and embargo restrictions.

Preptember is the month-long preparation period throughout September where organizers plan their Fests before hacking begins in October. More details are coming soon!

A Fest is an official, in-person Hacktoberfest event lasting up to 12 hours, designed to bring local developer communities together to learn and build with open-source AI.

While we are committed to sending thousands of T-shirts to in-person events, we cannot guarantee a T-shirt to every Hacktoberfest participant. The T-shirts we send to each event are distributed by local organizers to participants as on-site availability allows and at their discretion. We unfortunately cannot promise to mail T-shirts to in-person participants who did not receive one at their events due to logistical constraints. Online Hacktoberfest participants will not be eligible for a T-shirt.

All Fests must use Major League Hacking’s OrganizerHQ (OHQ) for attendee registration and day-of check-in. In addition, Hack Days must use OrganizerHQ Challenges for project submissions and judging.

Organizers must submit high-resolution event photos, verified check-in data via OrganizerHQ, winner records, and itemized food/beverage expense receipts (for Hack Days reimbursements).

Organizers can apply via the host portal. Visit our organizer guide to learn more about the Fest hosting process.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with confirmation typically provided within less than one week.

Hosts must secure a safe, accessible in-person venue for 3 to 12 hours equipped with reliable Wi-Fi, power outlets, seating, and necessary AV equipment.

Fests and swag shipments are available worldwide, excluding locations embargoed and sanctioned by the U.S.

All in-person Fests will get a shipment of MLH stickers, DigitalOcean stickers, and T-shirts, which organizers will distribute at their discretion in accordance with MLH policies.

Participants who cannot attend an in-person Fest can earn an official Hacktoberfest Swag Envelope by completing participation milestones online (more details soon on these milestones).

Custom Hacktoberfest stickers and other envelope-friendly items.

Envelope shipments will begin dispatching after Hacktoberfest concludes and should arrive at most destinations within 30-60 days.

Reimbursements apply strictly to Hacktoberfest Hack Day events for approved in-policy food and beverage expenses up to a designated cap. Meet Ups and corporate partner hosts are not eligible for reimbursement.

Companies can reach out to discuss sponsorship opportunities with our team at [email protected].