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 · 39 days ago
Recommendation
Submit demo for review (live before Press Preview)
2026-09-14 · 18 days ago
Valve rule
Last day to submit demo (live by fest start)
2026-09-28 · 4 days ago
Valve rule
Press Preview begins
2026-10-08 · in 6 days
Valve rule
Next Fest starts
2026-10-19 · in 17 days
Valve rule
Next Fest ends
2026-10-26 · in 24 days
Valve rule
Steam Next Fest (February 2027)
2027-02-22 → 2027-03-01Open — 108 days left to submit your demo for the Press Preview.
Start the 8-week prep
2026-12-28 · in 87 days
Recommendation
Submit demo for review (live before Press Preview)
2027-01-18 · in 108 days
Valve rule
Last day to submit demo (live by fest start)
2027-02-01 · in 122 days
Valve rule
Press Preview begins
2027-02-11 · in 132 days
Valve rule
Next Fest starts
2027-02-22 · in 143 days
Valve rule
Next Fest ends
2027-03-01 · in 150 days
Valve rule
Steam Next Fest (June 2027)
2027-06-14 → 2027-06-21Open — 220 days left to submit your demo for the Press Preview.
Start the 8-week prep
2027-04-19 · in 199 days
Recommendation
Submit demo for review (live before Press Preview)
2027-05-10 · in 220 days
Valve rule
Last day to submit demo (live by fest start)
2027-05-24 · in 234 days
Valve rule
Press Preview begins
2027-06-03 · in 244 days
Valve rule
Next Fest starts
2027-06-14 · in 255 days
Valve rule
Next Fest ends
2027-06-21 · in 262 days
Valve rule
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 10 days |
| Steam Scream V | Themed fest | 2026-10-26 → 2026-11-02 | in 24 days |
| Auto-Battler RPG Fest | Themed fest | 2026-11-16 → 2026-11-23 | in 45 days |
| Steam Winter Sale | Seasonal sale | 2026-12-17 → 2027-01-04 | in 76 days |
| Desktop Companion Fest | Themed fest | 2027-01-14 → 2027-01-18 | in 104 days |
| Shop Keeper Fest | Themed fest | 2027-01-25 → 2027-02-01 | in 115 days |
| Sheep Fest | Themed fest | 2027-02-04 → 2027-02-08 | in 125 days |
| Couch Co-Op Fest | Themed fest | 2027-02-08 → 2027-02-15 | in 129 days |
| Rhythm Fest | Themed fest | 2027-03-08 → 2027-03-15 | in 157 days |
| Steam Spring Sale | Seasonal sale | 2027-03-18 → 2027-03-25 | in 167 days |
| Dinos vs. Robots Fest | Themed fest | 2027-03-29 → 2027-04-05 | in 178 days |
| Racing Fest | Themed fest | 2027-04-12 → 2027-04-19 | in 192 days |
| Witch Fest | Themed fest | 2027-04-22 → 2027-04-26 | in 202 days |
| Fighting Fest | Themed fest | 2027-04-26 → 2027-05-03 | in 206 days |
| Real-Time Strategy Fest | Themed fest | 2027-05-10 → 2027-05-17 | in 220 days |
| Mountaineering Fest | Themed fest | 2027-05-31 → 2027-06-03 | in 241 days |
| Steam Summer Sale | Seasonal sale | 2027-06-24 → 2027-07-08 | in 265 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.
Join the waitlist