WildHacks 2026 Schedule
See the event map for location details. All WildHackers are provided work spaces in Mudd Library and the Technological Institute. If you are an out-of-town WildHacker, we recommend you do not leave these designated areas.
(Optional) Workshop Week, April 6-10, 2026
Workshop Week is a hybrid, optional collaboration to introduce newer WildHackers to software development topics. We are grateful to Northwestern's computing student organizations and partners for hosting these sessions!
All times are in Central Time. Most sessions will offer virtual options. Please check each workshop for availability.
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 6, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | DISC X WildHacks Git/GitHub Workshop | Tech M177 |
| Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | CANCELLED — ColorStack X WildHacks SQL & Databases Workshop | Tech M166 |
| Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | IMC Trading x WildHacks Tech Talk | Tech LR3 |
| Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | ColorStack X WildHacks Python & FastAPI Workshop | Tech A110 |
| Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | IEEE X WildHacks Command Line/Linux Workshop | Tech M128 |
| Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | EMCO X WildHacks Frontend Web Dev Workshop | Tech M177 |
| Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | Finding Your Path in Tech with Women in Computing | Tech LR5 |
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Hackathon Day 1
All times are in Central Time.
All meals will be distributed in waves. Stay tuned for more updates!
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 - 10:00 AM | Check-In | Front of LR2 |
| 8:30 - 10:00 AM | Sponsor Fair — IMC + MLH | Tech L168 |
| 8:30 - 10:00 AM | Sponsor Fair — Claude + Redbull | Tech L170 |
| 10:00 - 11:00 AM | Opening Ceremony | LR2 |
| 10:00 - 11:00 AM | Zoom Overflow | LR4 |
| 11:00 AM | Hacking Starts | |
| 11:00 - 11:30 AM | Team Formation Event | LR2 |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch from Tomate Fresh Kitchen | Mudd 1st Floor |
| 1:00 - 5:00 PM | Mentors Block 1 | Mudd 2nd Floor |
| 1:30 - 2:15 PM | Finding Your Path in Tech with Women in Computing | LR5 |
| 3:15 - 3:45 PM | GitHub Copilot Session | LR5 |
| 3:45 - 4:30 PM | Google AI Studio | LR5 |
| 5:00 - 9:00 PM | Mentors Block 2 | Mudd 2nd Floor |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner from Papa John's Pizza | Mudd 1st Floor |
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Hackathon Day 2
All times are in Central Time.
All meals will be distributed in waves. Stay tuned for more updates!
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | Midnight Snack from Insomnia Cookies | Mudd 2nd Floor |
| 6:15 AM | Sunrise Walk Around the Lakefill | Meet in Mudd 1st Floor |
| 8:30 AM | Breakfast from Einstein Bros. Bagels | Mudd 1st Floor |
| 10:30 - 12:15 PM | Blanket Donation | Mudd 2nd Floor |
| 11:00 AM | Submissions Due and Hacking Ends | |
| 11:00 - 12:15 PM | Games! (+ T-Shirt Distribution) | Tech LR2 |
| 11:00 - 12:15 PM | Scavenger Hunt Check In | Mudd 2nd Floor |
| 11:15 - 1:15 PM | Round 1 of Track Judging | LR5 |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch from 10Q Chicken | Mudd 1st Floor |
| 2:00 - 3:30 PM | Round 2 of Track Judging | Tech LR4 + LR5 |
| 2:00 PM | Crowd Favorite Sign Up Deadline (In the Dashboard!) | |
| 2:00 - 3:30 PM | Crowd Favorite Presentations | LR5 |
| 3:45 - 5:00 PM | Closing Ceremony | LR2 |