Five days. Five themes. One city shaping its digital future. Manchester Digital Festival returns from 8–12 February 2027 with its biggest and boldest programme yet.
Manchester Digital has unveiled the programme for Manchester Digital Festival 2027 (MDF27), bringing together businesses, talent, educators, innovators and industry leaders for five days of events across Manchester.
Taking place from Monday 8 to Friday 12 February 2027, the festival marks an exciting new chapter for Manchester Digital, building on the success of Digital Skills Festival and expanding its scope to celebrate the full breadth of Greater Manchester's digital and technology sector.
The launch also comes as Manchester Digital celebrates its 25th anniversary, providing an opportunity to reflect on the people, businesses and innovations that have shaped the region's tech ecosystem, while looking ahead to what comes next.
With 15 events already announced and more to come, the first wave of the MDF27 programme offers everything from industry conferences and leadership discussions to careers events, founder stories and opportunities to explore emerging technologies.
Tickets for most events are now available, with further announcements expected in the coming months.
Five days. Five themes. One digital future.
Under the banner Building our digital tomorrow, MDF27 introduces a new five-day format, with each day dedicated to a different theme reflecting the opportunities and challenges facing Greater Manchester's digital and technology sector.
Monday 8 February – BUILD
Celebrating the Manchester Digital community and the future talent shaping what comes next.
BUILD kicks off the festival with a special launch breakfast celebrating 25 years of Manchester Digital, before turning the spotlight on the next generation of tech talent at Future Innovators Day. The day also features From Manchester to the World, exploring the journeys and ambitions of founders building businesses from Greater Manchester.
Tuesday 9 February – ACCELERATE
Growth, collaboration and inclusion across Greater Manchester tech.
Tuesday is all about unlocking opportunities for growth, with the Growth Summit and Deep Tech Manchester exploring how businesses can scale, innovate and collaborate. The Good Growth: Future Workforce Forum will focus on building a more inclusive and future-ready workforce, alongside an Ecommerce Industry Keynote exploring opportunities in the sector.
Wednesday 10 February – FORTIFY
Cyber resilience, workforce capability and the infrastructure modern tech businesses rely on.
FORTIFY focuses on strengthening the foundations of Greater Manchester's digital economy, with discussions around cybersecurity, defence and the challenges facing modern technology businesses.
The day includes a Cyber & Defence Leadership Roundtable and an industry keynote, alongside the return of our flagship Talent Fair, bringing together thousands of jobseekers, employers and careers professionals to explore opportunities across the region's tech sector.
Thursday 11 February – LEAD
Leadership, influence and the strategic conversations shaping Greater Manchester tech.
LEAD brings together senior decision-makers, founders and influential voices for a day of insight, discussion and connection.
An Executive Breakfast and Leadership Roundtable will create opportunities to explore the big issues shaping the future of Greater Manchester's digital economy, while Manchester Digital FEAST will bring the community together for further conversations and connections.
Friday 12 February – PIONEER
AI, emerging technology and the ideas shaping the future of the sector.
PIONEER closes the festival by looking firmly towards the future, exploring the technologies and innovations that could transform businesses, industries and society.
Events include Croissants and Quantum, opening up conversations around the potential of quantum technologies, and the AI Café, bringing people together to explore the opportunities, challenges and practical applications of artificial intelligence.
And there's plenty more to come. Additional events, speakers and opportunities to get involved will be announced as the festival approaches.
Explore the full MDF27 programme and book your tickets
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Be part of Manchester Digital Festival 2027
Whether you're a business leader, founder, tech professional, educator, student or someone looking to take their first steps into the industry, MDF27 offers opportunities to learn, connect and get involved.
Tickets for most events are now available, with more programme announcements to follow.
Businesses can also play a bigger part in the festival through a wide range of sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
From supporting individual events and themed days to becoming a major festival partner, MDF27 offers organisations the chance to raise their profile, demonstrate thought leadership, connect with emerging talent and engage with Greater Manchester's thriving tech community.
Explore the programme and book tickets
Explore sponsorship opportunities
Manchester Digital Festival 2027 | 8–12 February 2027 | Across Manchester
Built by the sector. For the sector.
