Hacktoberfest 2026: Building with AI; not PRs

DigitalOcean's Hacktoberfest 2026 shifts from counting pull requests to focusing on building with open artificial intelligence, aiming to reduce low-effort PRs and promote meaningful learning. The event, run with Major League Hacking (MLH) and DEV, will feature local Fests where participants can write skills.md files, build open-source agents, or fine-tune open-weight models. Organizers can apply to host Fests and receive funding, swag, and support.

A challenge is born. DigitalOcean launches Hacktoberfest: open four pull requests in October, earn a t-shirt. The story so far What began as a simple pull-request challenge has grown into one of the largest developer traditions in the world. Here’s how we got here and where we will go next. DigitalOcean launches Hacktoberfest: open four pull requests in October, earn a t-shirt. Thousands of developers make their first contribution The door opens. This works at first, but maintainers start to burn out from volume and low-effort PRs as the years go by. 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 has always been about empowering people to build open software together. For years, that energy was measured by pull requests and developers making their first open-source contributions. But open source was never defined by a PR counter. Open source is a philosophy centered on transparency and collective ownership. In an era where AI tools make low-effort PRs easier than ever to generate, maintainers face unprecedented volume and noise. This year, Hacktoberfest is focused on high-value, meaningful learning: giving everyone the tools and knowledge to experiment and build with open artificial intelligence. By joining Hacktoberfest, online or in-person, you can expect to learn about open-weight models, open source agents, and more. We believe open innovation must be prioritized alongside proprietary tools for an ecosystem to remain healthy and resilient. Instead of counting PRs, you’ll write your first skills.md, build your own open-source agent, fine-tune an open-weight model, or go wherever your curiosity takes you. Hacktoberfest 2026 is about meeting you wherever you are in your open source AI journey because we believe AI belongs to everyone. Get involved Every Fest comes to life through local organizers raising their hands and sponsors providing their support. If you want to help shape Hacktoberfest 2026, we’d love to have you on board. Anyone can host a Fest. Are you part of a local meetup group? University club? Or perhaps you and a few coworkers have the power to book a conference room… let’s bring Hacktoberfest to your community. Organizers will receive funding to help cover their event, plus swag and programming support. Tell your Marketing and Dev Rel teams about Hacktoberfest. Sponsors make the swag and in-person Fests possible. Be part of this new Hacktoberfest chapter and get your brand in front of our massive global community of software creators. Common questions Hacktoberfest works differently this year, and a new format always comes with questions. We have the answers: here’s what to know about hosting a Fest, taking part, and what comes next. You will need to apply to host a Fest, and applications will open soon. For now, to get the latest updates. Fests will be confirmed on a rolling basis before and throughout Hacktoberfest. We aim to confirm your Fest <1 week from the date we receive your completed application. All Fest organizers will be eligible for stickers, swag, and prizes for their participants. In addition, MLH will provide financial reimbursement to organizers for certain event-related expenses. Yes We will promote all Fests on the Hacktoberfest website in a searchable gallery so participants can easily find your event. We will also promote the Fests program via our social media channels and marketing campaigns across MLH and DEV. Nope, we’re trying something new this year; to stay updated