Hacktoberfest 2025: Celebrating Open Source Collaboration
The eagerly awaited Hacktoberfest is just around the corner, and registrations are now open for this remarkable event that celebrates open-source contributions. Every October, developers from every corner of the globe unite to offer their expertise, whether big or small, to open-source projects. This month-long event is an opportunity for coders, designers, writers, and more to come together and make a difference in the tech community.
While coding is the most popular way to contribute, Hacktoberfest goes beyond just writing code. Open source requires a diverse range of skills, including documentation, testing, design, and writing, among others. Here’s everything you need to know about participating in Hacktoberfest 2025.
Understanding the Basics of Hacktoberfest
Before diving into the details of how to contribute, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental rules of Hacktoberfest:
- Registration: You can register anytime before October 31 to participate in this event.
- Where to Contribute: Participants can make contributions to projects hosted on GitHub or GitLab that have the Hacktoberfest topic.
- Submission Requirements: Between October 1 and October 31, you need to submit at least six high-quality pull requests (on GitHub) or merge requests (on GitLab). These submissions must be accepted by the project maintainers to count towards your total.
- Exciting Rewards: Participants who have at least one merged PR receive a digital badge from Holopin, with the possibility of earning up to four badges. Moreover, the first 10,000 participants who complete six merged PRs/MRs will receive a limited edition Hacktoberfest 2025 t-shirt.
Equipped with this knowledge, you are ready to make meaningful contributions during Hacktoberfest.
Diverse Ways to Contribute
1. Code Contributions
The majority of contributions during Hacktoberfest involve coding. Many participants choose to contribute code to projects they are passionate about. Project maintainers, who often manage these projects out of pure enthusiasm, highly value thoughtful and quality code contributions.
Whether you are a Hacktoberfest veteran or a newcomer making your first pull request, now is the perfect time to get involved with platforms like GitHub or GitLab and start contributing. It’s a chance to hone your skills, collaborate with others, and make a positive impact on the projects you care about.
Helpful Resources for Contributors:
- Explore repositories labeled with "Hacktoberfest" on GitHub or GitLab.
- Join online communities and forums to connect with other participants.
- Utilize tutorials and guides to enhance your coding skills.
2. Maintaining a Project
Hacktoberfest is not just for contributors; it’s also for maintainers. If you have a project idea that could benefit the community, now is the time to launch it and participate as a maintainer. If you’re already maintaining an open-source project, here’s how to prepare it for Hacktoberfest contributions:
- Add the Hacktoberfest topic to your repository.
- Label issues with "help wanted," "good first issue," and "hacktoberfest" to make them easily discoverable.
- Keep issues well-scoped to avoid overwhelming new contributors.
- Include a CONTRIBUTING.md file with clear guidelines for contributors.
- Adopt a code of conduct to foster a welcoming community environment.
- Be prepared to review contributions, merge valid PRs/MRs, approve them, or mark them with "hacktoberfest-accepted."
- Close any spammy or invalid contributions with the appropriate labels.
3. Low- and No-Code Contributions
You don’t need to be a developer to participate in Hacktoberfest. Open-source projects need more than just code. Here are some impactful ways to contribute without writing a single line of code:
- Improve or write technical documentation to help users understand the project better.
- Engage in user experience testing to provide valuable feedback.
- Write tutorials, blog posts, or case studies about projects you care about.
- Share your feedback on the usability of projects.
For maintainers who want to accept these types of contributions, consider setting up an activity log so participants can submit PRs/MRs that count towards Hacktoberfest.
The Role of Sponsors
Hacktoberfest would not be possible without the vibrant open-source community and sponsors like Major League Hacking (MLH). As Mike Swift from MLH eloquently stated, “Hacktoberfest is an opportunity for all of us to engage with the open-source community. Whether you’re a first-time contributor or a long-term maintainer, participating in Hacktoberfest means you’re part of a worldwide movement to expand the open-source ecosystem and nurture the next generation of open-source contributors.”
Get Involved and Make an Impact
No matter how you choose to participate, Hacktoberfest is about bringing positive energy, respecting maintainers, and making meaningful contributions. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of something bigger.
Registration is now open, and everyone is encouraged to bring their skills, curiosity, and open-source spirit to the table. Let’s join hands to make Hacktoberfest 2025 a resounding success.
For more details and to register, visit the Hacktoberfest website.
In conclusion, Hacktoberfest is not just a celebration of coding but a celebration of community and collaboration. It’s a chance to improve your skills, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to projects that can make a difference. Whether you’re coding, writing documentation, or testing user experiences, your contributions are valued and vital to the growth of open source. Let’s make this October memorable by coming together to support open-source projects and the people behind them.
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