Looking for Hackathons: Suggestions and Experiences?

[AJoker0]

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Hello GitHub Community, 👋

I'm exploring opportunities to participate in hackathons, and I'd love to hear from you all about your experiences and suggestions! Specifically, I'm looking for free hackathons that are beginner-friendly (Full-Stack/Web-Developer/Mobile Developer) and open to people with diverse skill sets.

Here are a few questions I’d love answers to:

1. Where do you usually find hackathons?

   • Are there any specific platforms, websites, or communities you recommend?
   • Do you know of any recurring or annual hackathons that are free to join?

2. What has been your experience in hackathons?

   • How do they typically work? (Duration, team formation, judging process, etc.)
   • What advice do you have for someone new to hackathons?

3. Are there any tips for preparing or participating?

   • For example, do you recommend learning specific tools, languages, or frameworks before joining?
   • How can beginners contribute effectively in teams?

4. Do you know any hackathons organized by GitHub or related to GitHub projects?

   • If you’ve participated in any GitHub-related hackathons, I’d love to hear your experience!

I’m excited to learn more about this vibrant community and how hackathons have impacted your personal or professional growth. Feel free to share links, resources, or even your own stories—everything is appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your insights. 😊

[Bibekinn]

Hey! 👋

I've done a bunch of hackathons recently so here’s everything I’ve picked up that might help you out:

🔍 Where to find hackathons?
Devpost – probably the best place to start, most beginner-friendly stuff ends up here.

MLH (Major League Hacking) – they host tons of student-friendly + online hackathons.

GitHub Global Campus – if you’re a student, def check this out, they collab with a lot of events.

Discord – join tech servers like EddieHub, MLH, etc., they post hackathon announcements all the time.

Bonus: sometimes I find random cool ones on Twitter/LinkedIn lol.

♻️ Any recurring ones?
Yep:

Hacktoberfest – open source but has the hackathon vibe.

MLH Local Hack Days

ETHGlobal – mostly blockchain/web3 but cool exposure.

A lot of college fests host yearly hackathons too – even if you’re not in that college, they allow external participation.

🛠 How do hackathons work?
Usually run for 24–72 hrs (some async ones last a week).

You can join solo or form a team (usually 2–4 people).

Submit a GitHub repo + short demo video (1–2 min).

Judging is based on idea, execution, creativity, and sometimes pitch.

⚙️ Tools & stuff I’d recommend learning:
If you're doing full-stack:

Frontend – HTML/CSS, JS, React/Next

Backend – Node (Express), Firebase, Supabase

Design – Figma, Canva (for your pitch deck or demo UI)

Know some Git/GitHub basics: clone, commit, push, PR

💡 How beginners can contribute
Even if you're not coding the whole stack:

Design mockups

Write docs or the README

Help record/edit the demo video

Pitch the idea or work on the submission form

Be the one keeping the project organized (super underrated)

💬 Bonus tips
Don’t worry about winning. Go to learn, build, and have fun.

Ship something simple but complete.

Make a clean README – that actually impresses judges.

Be chill with your team. Team vibes > fancy tech.

Hope that helps!
Let me know if you want links to current open hackathons, I can drop a few. 🙌

[DhruvvGitHub]

Hello fellow developer,

I'm Dhruv, a full-stack/web dev from India, and I recently started exploring hackathons too—so I totally relate to your excitement and questions!

Here’s what I’ve learned so far that might help you out:

Where I Find Hackathons (from India)
These 2 are my go-to platforms. Most college and national-level hackathons in India use it. Easy to join, and you’ll find events running almost every week:
https://devfolio.co/hackathons
https://unstop.com/compete

I’ve done a few online events via Devpost and MLH (Major League Hacking). Even though they’re global, many are remote and free. Plus, MLH is super beginner-friendly.

I also follow some college clubs on LinkedIn—they often post about upcoming events.

Free/Beginner-Friendly Hackathons I’ve Seen
Hack This Fall – Awesome beginner vibes, inclusive community, and great Discord interaction.
HackOdisha, HackNITR, and GirlScript Hackathons – Very welcoming to people with all levels of experience.
Hacktoberfest – Not a traditional hackathon but great to get into open-source via GitHub.

How They Work (from my experience)
Duration: Most last 24–48 hrs, some go longer (week+ for online ones).
Team: You can go solo, with friends, or find teammates through Discord.
Submissions: Typically a GitHub repo + a short demo video + write-up.
Judging: Based on idea, execution, creativity, and presentation.

[AJoker0]

Have you tried participating in international hackathons? How do they compare to local ones?
and what technologies or tools would you recommend learning before participating in a hackathon?

[mukuld86]

Hey! I’ve been exploring hackathons too, and Unstop has been a great place to find free, beginner-friendly events. My advice: just start participating! You’ll learn more by doing than waiting to feel “ready.”
Most hackathons last a few days, allow team formation online, and welcome all skill levels. Even if you’re a beginner, you can contribute with UI, docs, or basic setup.
Tools like GitHub, React, Node.js, and Firebase are handy, but don’t stress — dive in and grow along the way.

[AJoker0]

Thank you for sharing your experience, mukuld86! Your advice about starting small and using tools like React and Firebase is really helpful.

[NicolasVitorP]

Looking for free beginner-friendly hackathons? Check Devpost and MLH for good events. Start with Hack the North, SB Hacks or Local Hack Day - all remote and beginner-friendly. Most run 24-48 hours - you can join solo and team up on their Discord. No need to be an expert: if you're new, handle design or docs. Just finish something simple but working. Learn basic Git, React and Node.js to get started. GitHub has an annual hackathon too, but try smaller ones first. Just go for it - focus on learning and networking.

[AJoker0]

Thanks, NicolasVitorP! I appreciate your tips on beginner-friendly hackathons and focusing on learning and networking.

[susmitachatterjeee]

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