Join Us Live: Hacktoberfest 2026 Launch with Exclusive Swag! 🎃🚀

Hacktoberfest officially commences on October 1st. To mark the occasion, DEV is hosting an official launch livestream on their homepage. Attendees of the livestream can expect a preview of the month's events, with opportunities to witness both in-person and online festivities. Furthermore, those who join the livestream will be rewarded with exclusive swag.

The launch will take place at 3:00 PM UTC / 11:00 AM EDT / 8:30 PM IST, accessible directly from the DEV homepage or through MLH Twitch. As an added incentive, participants who remain for the entire stream will receive a bonus sticker exclusive to livestream attendees. To prepare for the launch, it is recommended that users create a My Hacktoberfest account beforehand to ensure they can join the livestream seamlessly.

Once the stream begins, participants can immediately sign up for the ongoing Hacktoberfest Weekend Challenge, which is set to launch on October 2nd at 2:00 AM UTC. This challenge serves as an ideal entry point for newcomers to dive into the Hacktoberfest experience. For those unable to participate this weekend, a myriad of other Hacktoberfest DEV Challenges are scheduled to occur throughout the month, offering continuous opportunities to engage and contribute.

Earning swag is a straightforward process. Users only need to sign in through MyMLH, a service that is free and requires only a minute of their time. By adding their address, participants can secure their first two virtual stickers. The options for achieving milestones are diverse, ranging from installing DevRelay and joining a fest to submitting to a DEV challenge, checking out livestreams, and more.

Upon accumulating three virtual stickers by completing milestones, users will be mailed a physical sticker pack, with the option to collect additional swag by continuing to meet milestones. Prepare to tune in tomorrow for an exciting hackathon experience!