Manchester Digital Skills Festival

Greater Manchester’s flagship tech event returns in February 2026 for a bold, future-facing celebration of digital skills, talent and innovation. Now in its second decade,

Manchester Digital Skills Festival brings together employers, educators, policymakers and emerging talent for a week-long programme designed to energise the region’s digital ecosystem.

Running from Monday 2 to Friday 6 February, the Festival will take over iconic venues across the city with headline events, fringe activity, and sector-leading insight—all with a focus on skills, diversity, leadership and opportunity in the digital economy.

The week’s programme includes:

• Future Innovators Day (Mon 2 Feb) – A schools-focused celebration of young digital talent, showcasing student-led prototypes and solutions from across Greater Manchester.
• Digital Her Day: Driving Diversity (Tue 3 Feb) – A day of inclusive, action-led sessions supporting gender diversity in tech, powered by the award-winning Digital Her initiative.
• Talent Day (Wed 4 Feb) – The Festival’s flagship careers fair, connecting over 2,000 jobseekers with tech employers, CV clinics, career talks and networking opportunities.
• Digital Leaders Day & Digital Skills Feast (Thu 5 Feb) – High-level roundtables and a VIP evening dinner bringing together senior leaders to launch the 2026 Skills Report and shape the region’s digital future.
• AI Futures Day (Fri 6 Feb) – A brand-new strand for 2026, this day explores the evolving impact of AI on the workplace, featuring expert panels, hands-on sessions and insights on future-proofing the workforce.

Running alongside the main programme, Fringe Events will take place across the city all week, offering deep dives into topics including AI, cyber, data, and design through partner-led sessions, meetups, and innovation showcases.

With opportunities for connection, learning and collaboration at every turn, Digital Skills Festival 2026 is a must-attend for anyone shaping or entering the world of tech.