October is crowded with hackathons, and plenty are still open after the 18th. Here's a quick roundup. Dates come from event pages and a community roundup, so double-check with each organizer before you commit.
Open to most people (mostly online)
- TechEx Amsterdam Hackathon (AI & Big Data Expo Europe, run with lablab.ai): hybrid event with an online build from Oct 16 to 19 and an on-site showcase at RAI Amsterdam on Oct 19 to 20. It's almost over, so only jump in if you can start right away.
- Amazon Developer Hackathon: closes Oct 23.
- OpenCV AI Competition 2026: closes Oct 26.
- 3alet Hackathon: runs Oct 30 to 31, online and in Novi Sad. Registration closes Oct 27.
- Three more AI competitions close on Oct 30.
Longer competitions that run past October
- ARC Prize 2026: advertises a $2 million pool across three tracks. Submissions are due Nov 2.
- Enveda CASMI 2026: a $50,000 challenge on predicting molecular structures from mass spectra. Final submissions are due Dec 14.
Student or in-person only
- HackPSU Fall 2026: Oct 24 to 25 in State College, listed as a student hackathon.
- UMass cybersecurity hackathon (Oct 23): aimed at graduate students in the Manning CICS program.
Coming up in November
- MakeUC 2026 in Cincinnati on Nov 7 to 8, if you want something to plan for.
Tips for picking one
- Check the registration deadline first. Several of these close days before the event itself.
- Match the theme to what you already know, so you spend the weekend building rather than learning a new stack.
- Read the rules on team size, eligibility, and whether the event is student-only.
Know of one I missed? Drop it in the comments.
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