Software Development
The Best Software Developer Conferences for 2026
The Top Software Development Conferences Worth Your Time in 2026
Between client projects and keeping our skills sharp, finding time for professional development can feel like trying to squeeze water from a stone. But some conferences are worth blocking off the calendar for. We’ve attended our fair share of tech events over the past decade, and we’ve learned that the right conference can spark ideas that transform how you approach your work.
Here’s our curated list of developer conferences worth considering in 2026—including a few we’ve experienced firsthand.
All Things Open
October 18–20, 2026 | Raleigh, NC
If you’re only going to attend one open-source conference on the East Coast, make it this one. All Things Open has grown into the largest open-source and web technology conference east of the Mississippi, and for good reason.
We’ve sent team members to ATO, and the feedback is consistently positive. The variety of sessions is impressive—with over 150 talks across nearly 20 tracks, there’s something for everyone regardless of your tech stack. What sets ATO apart, though, are the keynotes.
Unlike some conferences where the opening sessions feel like glorified product announcements, ATO’s keynotes tend to be genuinely thought provoking. Past speakers have included influential voices like Kelsey Hightower, Mitchell Hashimoto, and Jim Whitehurst.
Perhaps best of all, ATO remains remarkably affordable compared to other conferences of its caliber. The event also features co-located gatherings like the Community Leadership Summit, adding even more value to the trip.
Why attend: World-class keynotes, diverse sessions, strong community focus, and exceptional value.
Learn more: 2026.allthingsopen.org
CodeStock
April 9–10, 2026 | Knoxville, TN
CodeStock holds a special place for our team. We’ve made the trip to Knoxville multiple times, and while we’ll be honest—some sessions skew toward the fundamentals—there’s real value in that accessibility. Not every conference needs to assume you’re already an expert in whatever bleeding-edge technology launched last Tuesday.
This two-day community-driven event brings together developers, IT professionals, and entrepreneurs for learning and networking in the heart of East Tennessee. The 2026 keynote features Adhithi Ravichandran, a Pluralsight author and respected voice in frontend development, which signals a continued commitment to practical, applicable content.
What CodeStock lacks in cutting-edge complexity, it makes up for in genuine community feel. The conversations in the hallways between sessions are often just as valuable as the talks themselves. Plus, Knoxville’s food scene has come a long way—your post-conference dinner options are excellent.*
Why attend: Accessible content for all skill levels, strong regional community, affordable, and great for developers earlier in their careers or those exploring new domains.
Learn more: codestock.org
*A note from our office foodie: Check out Potchke Deli for breakfast or lunch if you get the chance. Its recent Michelin nod has increased wait times but it is well worth it!
The Cloud & AI Summit (Formerly DevUp)
September 30 – October 2, 2026 | St. Charles, MO
After 18 years as DevUp, this Midwest staple is rebranding as The Cloud & AI Summit—and we’re cautiously optimistic about the evolution.
DevUp earned a reputation for deep technical content without the vendor fluff. Sessions were substantive, speakers were accessible, and the whole event maintained a community-first atmosphere that larger conferences often sacrifice for scale. The rebrand signals a sharper focus on Microsoft Azure and AI technologies, which aligns with the professional background of the majority of their speakers and where enterprise development is heading.
The 2026 edition brings some notable format changes. All sessions are now 1.5 hours (up from the standard hour), giving speakers room to go deeper into real-world scenarios. The event will also move to a brand-new convention center at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, with three full days of sessions and an opening keynote.
Will the rebrand maintain the technical depth that made DevUp valuable? That’s the question. But the organizers’ track record gives us reason to be hopeful rather than skeptical.
Why attend: Deep technical content on Azure and AI, longer sessions for substantive learning, strong Midwest developer community.
Learn more: cloudandaisummit.com
KCDC (Kansas City Developer Conference)
September 9–11, 2026 | Kansas City, MO
Speaking of Midwest conferences that punch above their weight, KCDC continues to deliver exceptional value. Now entering its 17th year, this three-day event* consistently attracts national-caliber speakers to downtown Kansas City.
The format includes a pre-conference workshop day followed by two days packed with sessions. Last year’s event included 180 breakout sessions covering everything from cloud architecture to agile practices, there’s substantial ground to cover. KCDC’s speaker hospitality is legendary in the conference circuit—which translates to engaged presenters who actually want to be there.
The organizers also run DevOpsDays KC as a co-located event, adding another dimension for teams invested in deployment practices and reliability engineering. And let’s be honest: Kansas City barbecue is its own compelling reason to attend.
Why attend: Excellent speaker lineup, comprehensive session tracks, affordable, co-located DevOpsDays, and world-class barbecue.
Learn more: kcdc.info
*For attendees with kids: bring them! Though the conference wraps on the 11th, KCDC has something just for kids, a “Kids Tech Day,” immediately following on 9/12.
FOSDEM
January 31 – February 1, 2026 | Brussels, Belgium
If your budget only allows for one conference and you can swing a trip to Europe, FOSDEM is nearly impossible to beat—primarily because it’s free.
Yes, free. This massive open-source gathering at the Université Libre de Bruxelles hosts over 8,000 developers annually across more than 60 developer rooms. The 2026 edition features nearly 1,000 speakers and 900+ events. The scale is genuinely staggering for a volunteer-organized, non-commercial event.
FOSDEM’s format differs from typical conferences. Developer rooms are organized and run by open source projects themselves, creating spaces where you can engage directly with the people building the tools you use daily. Lightning talks, BOF (Birds of a Feather) sessions, and hallway conversations round out the experience.
The catch? It’s chaotic, crowded, and requires more self-direction than curated conferences. But for the price of your flight and hotel, you get access to one of the most concentrated gatherings of open-source expertise on the planet.
Why attend: Free admission, massive scale, direct access to open-source project communities, unique format.
Learn more: fosdem.org/2026
NDC London
January 26–30, 2026 | London, UK
NDC conferences have earned a strong reputation among .NET developers, and the London edition kicks off 2026 with a five-day event at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster.
The format includes two days of hands-on workshops followed by three days of sessions covering software architecture, cloud development, DevOps, and emerging technologies. NDC tends to attract speakers who are practitioners first—people actively building production systems rather than professional conference speakers.
If you’re deep in the Microsoft ecosystem or working with .NET technologies, NDC London offers concentrated expertise that’s hard to match. The venue’s central London location doesn’t hurt either.
Why attend: Deep .NET and Microsoft technology focus, practitioner-led sessions, workshop opportunities.
Learn more: ndclondon.com
Microsoft Build
2026 | Location TBD (Relocating from Seattle)
Microsoft’s flagship developer conference is in transition. After nearly a decade in Seattle, Build is moving to a new location for 2026—though Microsoft hasn’t yet announced where.
Regardless of venue, Build remains essential viewing for anyone working with Microsoft technologies. The event typically features major product announcements, deep technical sessions, and hands-on labs covering Azure, AI, developer tools, and the broader Microsoft ecosystem.
The shift to a hybrid format in recent years has made Build more accessible globally, with online attendance options complementing the in-person experience. Keep an eye on Microsoft’s announcements for 2026 dates and location details.
Why attend: Direct access to Microsoft’s roadmap and product teams, major announcements, comprehensive Azure and AI coverage.
Learn more: build.microsoft.com
DeveloperWeek
February 18–20, 2026 | San Jose, CA
Billed as the world’s largest independent developer event, DeveloperWeek brings together thousands of engineers for a mix of workshops, conference sessions, and expo experiences.
The 2026 event features tracks covering AI/LLMs, APIs, DevOps, platform engineering, and data engineering, alongside co-located conferences for specific domains. The scale means you’re likely to find sessions relevant to your work regardless of your technology focus.
DeveloperWeek tends toward a broader, more vendor-present experience than community-driven events like CodeStock or KCDC. That’s not necessarily negative—sometimes you want to see what vendors are building—but set your expectations accordingly.
Why attend: Massive scale, diverse topics, expo access for tool discovery, networking opportunities.
Learn more: developerweek.com
Planning Your Conference Year
A few practical considerations as you map out 2026:
Budget wisely. Conference tickets are just the start. Factor in travel, lodging, and meals—plus the opportunity cost of time away from billable work. Regional conferences like CodeStock and KCDC often deliver strong ROI for the investment.
Go with goals. The developers on our team who get the most from conferences arrive with specific questions they want answered or skills they want to develop. Wandering the halls hoping for inspiration works occasionally, but intentionality works better.
Don’t skip the hallways. Some of the most valuable conference moments happen between sessions. Budget time for conversations, not just content consumption.
Share what you learn. The value of a conference multiplies when you bring insights back to your team. Even informal lunch-and-learns after returning can spread the benefit across your organization.
Whether you’re looking to level up your Azure skills, connect with the open-source community, or simply get out of the office and remember why you got into this field, 2026 offers plenty of options. We’ll see you at a few of these ourselves.
Have a conference recommendation we missed? We’re always looking for our next great event—drop us a line.
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