Come Hack
with Us!
March 20-22, 2026 | Europa-Park, Germany
The Venue
In 2026, we’re returning to Hotel Krønasår, Europa-Park’s newest and most exclusive venue. Inspired by a 19th-century Natural History Museum, this extraordinary setting combines vintage scientific charm with modern comfort, creating the perfect atmosphere for innovation and discovery.
Picture yourself collaborating with fellow open-source enthusiasts in a setting adorned with historic expedition artifacts, brainstorming next-generation solutions, and being surrounded by the spirit of pioneering adventurers.
Join us in transforming ideas into code in spaces that bridge past discoveries with future innovations.
Open-Source meets CloudFest
After a whirlwind of coding, ideating, and collaborating, the CloudFest limelight awaits you: show off your team’s results on a CloudFest stage during the main event!
Here’s a perk: upon your application’s selection for the Hackathon, we’ll hand you a complimentary ticket to CloudFest!
While we’ve got your entry covered, please make your own accommodation arrangements during CloudFest.
The stage is set, and we’re eager to witness the magic you’ll bring!
Your stay at Europa-Park Rust
From Friday morning to Sunday evening, immerse yourself in three full days of open-source innovation. We’ll take care of everything—your luxurious four-star hotel accommodation, all meals and beverages, and an unforgettable experience at Europa-Park.
What’s Included:
Complimentary two-night stay (March 20-22, 2026) at Hotel Krønasår, Europa-Park’s premier four-star hotel, with daily breakfast, full catering during the hackathon, and unlimited beverages.
Optional:
- Early-Arrival-Option: Special rate for early arrivals on March 19, 2026
- Extra Night: One additional free night on March 22, 2026, for selected attendees to participate in CloudFest’s new exciting Monday program – stay tuned.
Details for both options will be provided after the application selection process and successful registration.
Extending Your Stay:
Planning to stay for CloudFest’s main event (March 23-26)? As a registered Hackathon attendee, you’ll receive a free CloudFest standard pass.
Make sure to arrange your extended accommodation through the CloudFest website.
Who Should Attend?
Collaborate, ideate, innovate, and unleash your Hackathon magic! Dive deep into the realm of #OSS. Tap into the synergy of collaborating with like-minded hackers and make waves in the tech and OS worlds.
Your hard work will get its deserved exposure to the wider CloudFest audience, 10’000+ strong!
Curious about how it went down during the past editions? Check out our recap blog posts!
Participant Profile
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages like PHP, JavaScript, Bash, Go, Python
- A foundational grasp of cloud/hosting industry technicalities
- Experience manoeuvring Git
- Anybody interested in helping to make the web a better place!
While our primary attendees encompass Web Developers, Software Engineers, Sys-Admins, and Frontend & UX-Designers, we celebrate diversity in skills and backgrounds.
Our ambition is simple: to curate a melting pot of diverse talents and minds in the open-source landscape.
Furthermore, system & infrastructure engineers, data scientists, sysadmins, marketers, and other cloud industry and tech enthusiasts: your expertise is highly coveted for our projects.
The Application Process
As we gear up for CloudFest Hackathon 2026, we anticipate a surge of applications from all over the world, ready to make a difference in the open-source world.
Our goal is to ensure a diverse and dedicated group of participants committed to taking our OS projects to new heights for the benefit of our communities.
We are selecting interested applicants in two batches.
Important: there will be only one public application batch this year!
Application Batches
Batch #1: December 1 5 – January 11
Batch #2: 2026 – Invite only
A snapshot of how to embark on this journey
1
Submit Your Interest
Fill out our application form to express your interest. However, keep in mind that this is just the first step and doesn’t guarantee your registration.
2
Await Our Response
We’ll review applications and notify you by email regarding your status—whether approved, rejected, or placed on hold for the next batch.
3
Seal The Deal!
If approved, you’ll receive a special code via email. Use this code to register for CloudFest. Once done, you’re confirmed for both the CF Hackathon 2025 and the main festival! 🎉
Diversity & Inclusion
At the heart of CloudFest Hackathon lies a resolute commitment to diversity, creating an inclusive and welcoming milieu for everyone.
Our 2026 edition, again, amplifies these efforts, joining hands with experts from the diverse spectrums of tech.
Your diverse needs, from dietary to accessibility, matter to us. Thus, follow-up questions to our application form, in case you get selected, will address these facets.
Our expectation: respect, camaraderie, and zero tolerance for demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
For insights, questions, or inputs, connect with us at hackathon@cloudfest.com
Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.
– J. Jackson
Event Environment Considerations
Please note that CloudFest Hackathon takes place in a large, shared workspace with 100+ participants. The environment includes:
» Continuous ambient noise (you’ll be in a themed amusement park hotel) and activity over three full days
» High energy and movement throughout the space
» Frequent team collaboration/communication and public announcements
While we welcome everyone and try to provide quiet break areas and private hotel rooms in the same building, the collaborative nature of the event means the main workspace will be bustling and stimulating throughout.
If you are sensitive to noise, crowds, or sustained social interaction, we encourage you to carefully consider whether this environment will work for you. Noise-cancelling headphones are helpful but may impact team collaboration. Regular breaks are encouraged and supported.
We’re committed to making the hackathon as inclusive as possible while being transparent about the event’s inherent characteristics. If you have questions about the environment or specific accommodations, please contact us at hackathon@cloudfest.com before applying.
Goal-Oriented Open-Source Projects
We’re keeping the tradition alive by solely focusing on projects that resonate with our core principles. All projects are a testament to our commitment to the OS communities and will be not-for-profit, interoperable, and, of course, open-source.
Check out our projects page for more information and meet your mentors!
Photos by Roan de Vries/Vulgar Productions
