Steam Next Fest dates & demo deadlines
Valve's rules: submit your demo for review at least 5 weeks before the fest to be live for the Press Preview, or at least 3 weeks before to be live when the fest starts. The Press Preview begins 11 days before. A game can take part in only one Next Fest, and must not release before the edition ends.
Sources: Valve Next Fest rules · Valve upcoming events · verified 2026-10-01. Valve may adjust dates; the official page always wins.
Steam Next Fest (October 2026)
2026-10-19 → 2026-10-26Demo deadlines have passed. Demo submission deadline was 2026-09-28 (3 weeks before the fest).
Start the 8-week prep
2026-08-24 · 38 days ago
Recommendation
Submit demo for review (live before Press Preview)
2026-09-14 · 17 days ago
Valve rule
Last day to submit demo (live by fest start)
2026-09-28 · 3 days ago
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Press Preview begins
2026-10-08 · in 7 days
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Next Fest starts
2026-10-19 · in 18 days
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Next Fest ends
2026-10-26 · in 25 days
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Steam Next Fest (February 2027)
2027-02-22 → 2027-03-01Open — 109 days left to submit your demo for the Press Preview.
Start the 8-week prep
2026-12-28 · in 88 days
Recommendation
Submit demo for review (live before Press Preview)
2027-01-18 · in 109 days
Valve rule
Last day to submit demo (live by fest start)
2027-02-01 · in 123 days
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Press Preview begins
2027-02-11 · in 133 days
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Next Fest starts
2027-02-22 · in 144 days
Valve rule
Next Fest ends
2027-03-01 · in 151 days
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Steam Next Fest (June 2027)
2027-06-14 → 2027-06-21Open — 221 days left to submit your demo for the Press Preview.
Start the 8-week prep
2027-04-19 · in 200 days
Recommendation
Submit demo for review (live before Press Preview)
2027-05-10 · in 221 days
Valve rule
Last day to submit demo (live by fest start)
2027-05-24 · in 235 days
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Press Preview begins
2027-06-03 · in 245 days
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Next Fest starts
2027-06-14 · in 256 days
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Next Fest ends
2027-06-21 · in 263 days
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Steam sales & themed fests
| Event | Type | Dates | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Autumn Sale | Seasonal sale | 2026-10-01 → 2026-10-08 | ongoing |
| Cooking Fest | Themed fest | 2026-10-12 → 2026-10-19 | in 11 days |
| Steam Scream V | Themed fest | 2026-10-26 → 2026-11-02 | in 25 days |
| Auto-Battler RPG Fest | Themed fest | 2026-11-16 → 2026-11-23 | in 46 days |
| Steam Winter Sale | Seasonal sale | 2026-12-17 → 2027-01-04 | in 77 days |
| Desktop Companion Fest | Themed fest | 2027-01-14 → 2027-01-18 | in 105 days |
| Shop Keeper Fest | Themed fest | 2027-01-25 → 2027-02-01 | in 116 days |
| Sheep Fest | Themed fest | 2027-02-04 → 2027-02-08 | in 126 days |
| Couch Co-Op Fest | Themed fest | 2027-02-08 → 2027-02-15 | in 130 days |
| Rhythm Fest | Themed fest | 2027-03-08 → 2027-03-15 | in 158 days |
| Steam Spring Sale | Seasonal sale | 2027-03-18 → 2027-03-25 | in 168 days |
| Dinos vs. Robots Fest | Themed fest | 2027-03-29 → 2027-04-05 | in 179 days |
| Racing Fest | Themed fest | 2027-04-12 → 2027-04-19 | in 193 days |
| Witch Fest | Themed fest | 2027-04-22 → 2027-04-26 | in 203 days |
| Fighting Fest | Themed fest | 2027-04-26 → 2027-05-03 | in 207 days |
| Real-Time Strategy Fest | Themed fest | 2027-05-10 → 2027-05-17 | in 221 days |
| Mountaineering Fest | Themed fest | 2027-05-31 → 2027-06-03 | in 242 days |
| Steam Summer Sale | Seasonal sale | 2027-06-24 → 2027-07-08 | in 266 days |
Want a personal countdown, checklist and live tracking during the fest?
NextWishlist tells you which edition to target based on your wishlists and demo, and tracks you against comparable games.
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