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GitHub Copilot Dev Days: Find & Host Community Events in 2026
GitHub Copilot Dev Days is a global, community-led initiative bringing developers together to explore AI-assisted coding hands-on. Running from March 15 to May 15, 2026, these free, in-person events are designed for everyone—from curious students to seasoned professionals wanting to level up their coding skills with GitHub Copilot.
The beauty of Dev Days is its flexibility and accessibility. Each event runs approximately 3 hours and comes in two formats: sessions-only (talks and demos) or sessions plus hands-on workshops. No matter where you live, there’s likely an event happening near you. And if there isn’t? You can host one yourself.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how to find and attend a Dev Days event in your area, what to expect, and how to host your own event. Whether you’re looking to join a community of developers or become a community leader, this post will give you the facts and steps to get started.
Part 1: Finding & Attending Copilot Dev Days Events
What Are GitHub Copilot Dev Days?
GitHub Copilot Dev Days is a global, in-person community event series focused on hands-on, AI-assisted coding with GitHub Copilot. Here are the key facts:
When & Where: March 15 – May 15, 2026. Events are happening worldwide, organized by local tech communities.
Duration: Each event runs for approximately 3 hours.
Who Should Attend: Developers of all experience levels—from beginners exploring Copilot for the first time to advanced developers looking to master AI-powered development workflows. No prior knowledge of GitHub Copilot is required.
Cost: Free admission. These are community-led events with no registration fees.
Format: Highly interactive and hands-on. Rather than lecture-style talks, Dev Days emphasize learning by doing. Sessions include real-world workflows and practical demonstrations of how Copilot integrates into daily coding.
What Are the Two Event Formats?
GitHub Copilot Dev Days comes in two formats. Communities can choose based on their audience and available time:
Format 1: Sessions-Only
This format focuses on technical talks and live demos. You’ll hear industry leaders explain GitHub Copilot capabilities, see real-world use cases, and understand how AI is changing development workflows. The sessions run back-to-back with breaks for networking and questions. This is perfect if you want to learn conceptually and connect with other developers but don’t have time for hands-on labs.
Format 2: Sessions + Workshop
This format combines talks and demos with hands-on, practical workshops. After the keynote and technical sessions, attendees move into working sessions where they build actual projects using GitHub Copilot. You’ll have mentors and facilitators on hand to help, and you’ll leave with working code and hands-on experience. This format is ideal if you want to go deep and actually write code with Copilot.
For example, the Hyderabad Dev Days event (April 18, 2026) runs from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM with this agenda: Registration, Keynote, Session 1, Session 2, a lunch break with networking, and a final working session. This follows the Sessions + Workshop format.
How to Find Events on Luma
GitHub Copilot Dev Days events are listed on Luma, a simple-to-use event calendar platform. Here’s how to find an event near you:
Step 1: Go to the Luma Calendar
Visit the central GitHub Copilot Dev Days calendar at https://aka.ms/githubcopilotdevdays. This short URL takes you directly to all registered events.
Step 2: Browse Events by Location
The calendar displays all upcoming events. You can see the event name, date, time, and location at a glance. Scroll through to find events happening in your city or region.
Step 3: Click an Event for Details
Click on any event to see the full details: agenda, host information, venue address, what to bring, and registration status. The Hyderabad event, for example, includes a complete agenda showing keynote, speaker names (though some say “TBD” if not finalized), and session times.
Step 4: Register
Click the “Register” button to sign up. If seats are available, you’ll be registered immediately. If the event is full, you’ll see a “Join Waitlist” option. Add yourself to the waitlist, and you’ll be notified if a spot opens up.
Pro tip: Events can fill up quickly, especially in major tech hubs. Register early if you see an event that interests you.
What to Expect at an Event
Preparing for your first Dev Days event? Here’s what a typical event looks like:
Arrive Early: Check-in can take time, especially with lots of attendees. Organizers recommend arriving 30 minutes before the official start time so you’re settled in when things begin.
Keynote Address: The event starts with a keynote—a ~30-minute talk from an industry leader. They’ll discuss GitHub Copilot’s impact on development, trends in AI-assisted coding, and what to expect from the event.
Technical Sessions: Next are 2-3 session blocks (~45-60 minutes each) covering topics like using Copilot in VS Code, automating workflows with Copilot CLI, or integrating Copilot into your daily development process. Sessions are interactive, with Q&A time.
Break & Networking: Midway through the day (usually early afternoon), there’s a lunch or coffee break. This is your chance to network with other developers, ask speakers questions one-on-one, and make connections in your local tech community.
Hands-On Workshop (if applicable): Depending on the event format, you may move into a coding workshop where you’ll build something real using GitHub Copilot. Facilitators will walk you through a project, and you’ll code along on your own laptop.
Code of Conduct: All Dev Days events follow GitHub’s Event Code of Conduct, ensuring a respectful, inclusive environment for everyone.
What to Bring: Bring your laptop (Windows, Mac, or Linux), ensure you have a GitHub account, and ideally have GitHub Copilot access. Some events provide temporary trial licenses if you don’t have one yet. An IDE like VS Code is helpful too.
Hands-On Workshops Available
Dev Days events offer hands-on workshops to deepen your Copilot skills. All workshops are published on the central hub at https://copilot-dev-days.github.io/, where you can preview what you’ll be learning.
Workshop Topics & Languages:
11+ workshops span multiple languages and IDEs:
- Agent Lab (Python, TypeScript, Java, .NET): Build a Social Bingo game while mastering VS Code’s Agent Mode. Learn context engineering, custom agents, and AI-first workflows. ~1 hour.
- Mona Mayhem (TypeScript + Astro): Build a retro arcade GitHub Contribution Battle Arena while mastering Plan Mode and multi-agent workflows. ~60 minutes.
- App Modernization (Java + Spring Boot): Modernize a legacy Java application. Upgrade from Java 8 to 21, add health endpoints, containerize—all with AI assistance. ~60 minutes.
- Copilot CLI Workshop (Terminal): Master GitHub Copilot in the terminal. From custom instructions to MCP servers and custom agents. ~90 minutes.
- GitHub Actions—Agentic Workflows: Build agentic workflows using gh aw. Automate daily digests, pull Hacker News stories as GitHub issues, and wire up ChatOps commands. ~75 minutes.
- Visual Studio 2026 + .NET: Complete and enhance TinyShop application using Copilot for Visual Studio. Explore code completion, Chat, Agent Mode, and Copilot Vision. ~60 minutes.
- IntelliJ IDEA + Spring Boot: Master Copilot in JetBrains. Build features for Spring PetClinic app. ~60 minutes.
- Xcode + SwiftUI: Learn Copilot in Xcode. Explore code completion, Chat, Agent Mode, and Copilot Vision. ~60 minutes.
General Prerequisites (for all workshops):
- GitHub account (free to create)
- GitHub Copilot license (some events provide trial access)
- Git installed on your machine
- Your IDE of choice (VS Code, Visual Studio, IntelliJ, Xcode, etc.)
You don’t need to know all the languages or tools beforehand. The workshops are designed to teach you hands-on, step-by-step.
Part 2: Hosting Your Own Copilot Dev Days Event
Why Host a Dev Days Event?
Not seeing an event in your city? Consider hosting one. Here’s why it matters:
Build Community: Bring developers in your area together. Whether you’re in a major tech hub or a smaller city, there are developers around you wanting to learn AI-assisted coding.
Be a Leader: Hosting gives you visibility in your tech community. You’ll meet organizers from around the world doing the same thing.
Low Barrier to Entry: GitHub provides everything you need. You’re not creating content from scratch—you have slides, labs, marketing materials, and step-by-step guides.
Free to Host: You don’t pay fees to GitHub. You organize the event, and GitHub provides the resources and support.
How Do I Host a Dev Days Event?
Hosting a Dev Days event is straightforward. Here’s the process:
Step 1: Sign Up via Form
Go to https://aka.ms/githubcopilotdevdays/form and fill out the event hosting form. You’ll provide basic info: your name, location, proposed event date, expected attendee count, and any questions or special requirements.
Step 2: Gain Access to the GitHub Repository
After signing up, you’ll receive access to the GitHub Copilot Dev Days repository at https://github.com/github/GitHub-Copilot-Dev-Days/. This is your hub for all event materials.
Step 3: Review the Organization Guide
The repo includes an Organization Guide—a practical, step-by-step document covering everything from event planning to execution. It includes:
- Event planning checklist
- How to set up your event on Luma
- Registration page templates
- Promotion strategies
- Day-of logistics
Step 4: Access Event Content
Browse the content folder in the repo. You’ll find:
- Presentation slides for organizers to present
- Hands-on labs to run during workshop sessions
- PDF and PowerPoint versions for easy sharing
- Code samples and starter projects for attendees
Step 5: Plan Your Event
Decide on:
- Date & Time: Pick a date that works for your community (within the March 15 - May 15 window)
- Venue: Find a location (community center, college, company office, etc.)
- Format: Sessions-only or Sessions + Workshop
- Attendee Count: Estimate how many developers you expect
- Agenda: Use the template agendas from the guide
Step 6: Promote Your Event
Use the marketing materials provided in the repo:
- Social media templates (Twitter/X, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Event cover images
- Email templates to send to your local developer community
- Start with your network, local tech Slack channels, Dev.to, and Meetup.com
Step 7: Run the Event
On event day, use the materials you’ve prepared. Welcome attendees, run sessions using the provided slides, facilitate workshops, and create a welcoming, learning-focused environment. Collect feedback from attendees after the event.
What’s in the Community Event Kit
The GitHub Copilot Dev Days repository includes everything organizers need:
Organization Guide (Practical Reference)
A step-by-step guide covering planning, promotion, logistics, and execution. Includes checklists to ensure you don’t miss anything.
Content Folder—Organizer View
Presentation slides and speaking notes. Slides cover Copilot fundamentals, use cases, and hands-on coding with AI. You can present these directly or customize them for your audience.
Content Folder—Attendee View
Hands-on labs and code walkthroughs. These are the actual workshop materials attendees will follow during the event.
Marketing Materials
Ready-to-use social media templates, event cover images, email draft templates, and promotional text. Just customize with your event date and location.
Code of Conduct
An EVENT_CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md file outlining expected behavior and inclusive community standards. Have this on hand during the event so everyone knows they’re in a respectful space.
Registration Template
A template for your Luma event page, including suggested copy, capacity, and event description.
Getting Community Support
Have questions while organizing? The GitHub Copilot Dev Days community is here to help.
GitHub Discussions
The repository has a Discussions section where organizers ask questions, share experiences, and get feedback from GitHub and other community members. This is the official channel for event organizers to collaborate.
Head to: https://github.com/github/GitHub-Copilot-Dev-Days/discussions
Questions to ask:
- How should I structure my event agenda?
- What’s the best way to promote a Dev Days event locally?
- How many attendees should I expect?
- Can I customize the content for my audience?
You’ll get responses from GitHub staff and experienced organizers who’ve already run events.
Key Takeaways
- Finding Events: Use the Luma calendar at https://aka.ms/githubcopilotdevdays and filter by location.
- Registering: Click an event details page and register. Join the waitlist if full—spots often open up.
- Formats: Choose between sessions-only (talks + demos) or sessions + hands-on workshops based on your learning style.
- Workshops: Over 11 hands-on labs available at https://copilot-dev-days.github.io/ across multiple languages and IDEs. Duration: 60-90 minutes each.
- Hosting: Sign up at https://aka.ms/githubcopilotdevdays/form, Get access to the complete event kit in the GitHub repo, and use provided guides, slides, and marketing materials.
- Community Support: Ask questions in the repo’s Discussions section. You’re never alone—organizers worldwide are sharing experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GitHub Copilot license to attend a Dev Days event?
Not necessarily. While some workshops use GitHub Copilot, many events include introductory sessions designed for people exploring Copilot for the first time. Some organizers provide trial Copilot licenses to attendees without active subscriptions. Check the specific event details on Luma to see what’s required for the workshops offered.
What if there’s no Dev Days event scheduled in my city?
You can host one! That’s the beauty of the community-led model. Visit the sign-up form at https://aka.ms/githubcopilotdevdays/form to express interest in organizing an event. You’ll get access to the complete event kit with all the materials, guides, and support you need. Many organizers find that hosting brings their local developer community together in meaningful ways.
Can I attend multiple Dev Days events?
Absolutely. The events run throughout March 15 – May 15, 2026, across different cities. If you’re interested in attending more than one, you can register for multiple events on the Luma calendar. Some developers travel to neighboring cities to attend different workshops or meet organizers from other regions.
Are Dev Days events recorded for later viewing?
That depends on the individual organizer. Some events may record sessions or provide materials afterward, while others focus on live, in-person interaction. Check the event description on Luma or contact the organizer directly to ask about recordings or post-event materials.
How many people typically attend a Dev Days event?
Event sizes vary widely based on the city and venue. Smaller communities might host 20-30 developers, while major tech hubs could see 100-200+ attendees. The Luma event page shows the event capacity, so you can get a sense of the expected size before registering.
Call to Action
Whether you’re ready to attend or host, the GitHub Copilot Dev Days community is waiting for you.
Attend a Dev Days event: Find one near you on the Luma calendar (https://aka.ms/githubcopilotdevdays) and register today. You’ll learn hands-on with Copilot and connect with developers in your area.
Host an event: Don’t see an event nearby? Sign up to host one (https://aka.ms/githubcopilotdevdays/form). The entire event kit is provided—you just bring the leadership and community.
Join the Copilot Community: Whether attending or hosting, you’re becoming part of a global movement to empower developers with AI-assisted coding. Share your Dev Days experience on social media and tag @GitHub and @copilot-dev-days.
Let’s build community, learn together, and shape the future of AI-assisted development.