The North’s largest festival dedicated to digital and tech skills will return to Manchester from 2–6th February 2026, with a brand new AI Futures Day to help industry and educators prepare for an AI-driven economy.

Delivered by industry body Manchester Digital, the week-long Digital Skills Festival will once again bring together leading North West tech employers, universities, colleges, students, graduates and career-changers across the city centre.

Alongside AI Futures Day, the programme includes Future Innovators Day, Digital Her: Driving Diversity, Talent Day and Digital Leaders Day & Digital Skills Feast.

With Manchester’s tech economy now worth around £5 billion, the festival aims to unite tech leaders, educators and new talent to rethink early career routes, respond to AI’s impact on roles and ensure opportunities are accessible to people from every background.