Steam Next Fest October 2026 (Oct 19–26): dates, start time, and how to find the best demos
Short answer: The next Steam Next Fest is October 2026, October 19 – 26, 2026, starting 10:00 AM Pacific (PDT) and ending 10:00 AM Pacific (PDT). That is 4 days from today. Updated .
Dates and start time from Valve's Steamworks documentation (Steamworks; calendar also on upcoming events). Official hub: store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest. We never invent facts about specific demos or unlisted discounts.
What is Steam Next Fest?
Steam Next Fest is Valve's free-demo festival — not a seasonal sale. Three times a year, upcoming (unreleased) games put playable demos on Steam so you can try them, chat with developers, watch livestreams, and wishlist titles before they launch. There is no festival-wide discount; demos are free to download during the event.
Dates and start time
| Edition | Dates | Start time | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | October 19 – 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM Pacific (PDT) | in 4 days |
| February 2027 | February 22 – March 1, 2027 | — | in 130 days |
| June 2027 | June 14 – 21, 2027 | — | in 242 days |
Tips
Browse the official Next Fest hub
Open Steam's Next Fest page and filter by genre, tags, or popularity. Start with games you already care about, then explore adjacent genres.
Wishlist demos you like
Wishlisting a demo (or its full game) means Steam can notify you when the game launches or goes on sale — that is the main way Next Fest turns into real savings later.
Try before you buy
A short demo session tells you more than a trailer. If a demo clicks, wishlist it; if it does not, you saved money.
Check livestreams and developer Q&A
Many Next Fest pages include developer livestreams or chat — useful for release windows and platforms, without inventing details about specific demos.
Want a full game instead?
Next Fest is about demos. If you already want a full game today, these well-reviewed titles are discounted at authorized stores:
| Game | Price | Regular | Store | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disco Elysium - The Final Cut | $9.47 | Gamesplanet | Get deal | |
| Persona 5 Royal | $53.99 | Gamesplanet | Get deal | |
| BioShock Infinite | $26.99 | Gamesplanet | Get deal | |
| ELDEN RING | $53.88 | Fanatical | Get deal | |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | $14.99 | Gamesplanet | Get deal | |
| God of War | $46.79 | WinGameStore | Get deal | |
| Street Fighter 6 | $16.00 | GamersGate | Get deal | |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered | $24.99 | GOG | Get deal | |
| Blue Prince | $17.99 | Humble Store | Get deal | |
| Resident Evil Requiem | $57.39 | GreenManGaming | Get deal | |
| Metaphor: ReFantazio | $60.89 | Fanatical | Get deal | |
| ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree | $35.17 | GameBillet | Get deal |
FAQ
When is Steam Next Fest October 2026?
October 2026 runs October 19 – 26, 2026. It starts at 10:00 AM Pacific (PDT) and ends at 10:00 AM Pacific (PDT). Source: Valve Steamworks.
Is Steam Next Fest a sale?
No. Steam Next Fest is a free-demo festival for upcoming games. There is no festival-wide discount — demos are free to try.
Is Steam Next Fest live right now?
It starts in 4 days: October 2026 runs October 19 – 26, 2026. It starts at 10:00 AM Pacific (PDT) and ends at 10:00 AM Pacific (PDT).
When are the next Steam Next Fest dates?
As of October 15, 2026, published editions include: October 2026 (October 19 – 26, 2026), February 2027 (February 22 – March 1, 2027), June 2027 (June 14 – 21, 2027). Valve typically runs Next Fest in February, June, and October.
How do I find the best demos?
Browse Steam's Next Fest hub, filter by genre or tags, try short sessions, and wishlist demos (or their full games) you like so Steam can notify you at launch or on discount.
See also: all Steam sale dates · Black Friday 2026 · bundles · free games · buy-or-wait verdicts.