Frequently asked questions
Everything to know before you get to Hackfest 2026.
- Oct. 29 to 31, 2026
- Québec City Convention Centre
- Hackfest tickets: $150 + taxes
- POLAR tickets: $330 + taxes
The event
What is Hackfest?
Hackfest is an annual cybersecurity and hacking conference held in Québec City since 2009. The 2026 edition is the 18th.
Think of a DEF CON of the North, smaller and friendlier: a welcoming community, talks, trainings, CTFs, villages and evening events. Organized by Hackfest Communication inc., a non-profit with no paid staff: Hackfest runs on the passion of its volunteers!
It's my first Hackfest, where do I start?
Don't be shy: Hackfest is an open community, and the best way to enjoy it is to talk to people.
- Plan your days ahead with the online schedule.
- Come to Hackfest 101 on Thursday, October 29 at 7 PM, room 2104AB (Track 3): a quick tour of everything not to miss.
- Visit all the villages and talk to the people running them.
- Join the CTFs on site, or just come and watch: the Lockpicking CTF, the live SECTF calls and more.
- Go meet the sponsors, to land a job or just to understand what they do.
- Be open, be friendly, and have fun!
When is Hackfest 2026?
Hackfest 2026 runs from Thursday, October 29 to Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Thursday the 29th: POLAR, registration, opening cocktail, Hackfest 101 and the start of the CTF. Friday the 30th and Saturday the 31st: talks, villages, CTFs and evening events. Trainings run October 26 to 29.
Where is Hackfest held?
At the Québec City Convention Centre (Centre des congrès de Québec), 1000 René-Lévesque Boulevard East, Québec City, QC G1R 5T8.
POLAR takes place at Le Capitole de Québec (972 Saint-Jean Street) and the trainings at Hôtel Palace Royal (775 Honoré-Mercier Avenue).
Are the talks in French or English?
Both. Hackfest is a bilingual event: each talk is given in French or in English.
The language of each talk is shown in the schedule.
Who organizes Hackfest?
Hackfest is organized by Hackfest Communication inc. and a team of volunteers passionate about cybersecurity.
On site
Can I arrive at any time?
Yes. Come whenever you like during the event; you just need to pick up your badge before 5 PM.
Doors open at 8 AM on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31.
Where and when do I pick up my badge?
Thursday, October 29 from 4 PM to 9 PM in Hall 2000 of the Convention Centre, then Friday and Saturday before 5 PM.
Your badge gives access to the Hackfest talks, villages and activities. On Thursday, stay for the opening cocktail (6 PM to 10 PM).
Is the venue accessible?
Yes. The Québec City Convention Centre is accessible to people with reduced mobility, through the entrance at 1000 René-Lévesque Boulevard East.
The Centre offers personalized assistance, wheelchair loans (with photo ID) and charging stations for mobility scooters. For a specific need during Hackfest, write to [email protected].
How do I get there by public transit?
More than 15 RTC bus lines stop at the Convention Centre entrance.
Plan your trip on the RTC website; the RTC Nomade app lets you buy fares on your phone. Gare du Palais (train and intercity buses) is about 10 minutes away.
Where can I park?
Several parking lots surround the Convention Centre; the Stay page shows real-time availability and rates.
Construction has closed part of the Place Québec lot: the Convention Centre recommends the Place D'Youville and Marie-Guyart building lots.
Where should I stay in Québec City?
The Stay page lists partner hotels near the Convention Centre, plus ideas for things to do in Québec City.
The Hackfest preferred-rate deadlines have passed; check availability directly with the hotels.
Is there a code of conduct?
Yes. Everyone attending Hackfest must follow the code of conduct.
Tickets
How much are tickets and where do I buy them?
Tickets are sold on Eventbrite. Hackfest $150, CTF $15, POLAR $330, Hackfest + POLAR $420 (plus taxes).
Are tickets refundable?
No. Tickets are non-refundable, except in cases of force majeure.
Can kids come?
Yes. There is no minimum age, but children must be accompanied by a parent. The kids ticket is a $20 Eventbrite add-on, added when you buy a regular ticket.
The Hackfest Generations village introduces young people aged 9 to 17 to cybersecurity.
Activities
Where and when are the trainings?
October 26 to 29, 2026 at Hôtel Palace Royal in Québec City.
Each training includes a Hackfest ticket (talks, villages, Beginner CTF), lunch and coffee. Prices before taxes, no refunds.
What happens in the evenings?
There is something every night, from Thursday to Saturday.
- Thursday, October 29: opening cocktail from 6 PM to 10 PM in Hall 2000, and Hackfest 101 at 7 PM to get started.
- Friday, October 30, Hackfest @ Night: La French Connection live (7:30 PM), Peppin's show (9 PM), the Hacker Family Feud (10 PM) and karaoke (11:30 PM).
- Saturday, October 31, After Dark: from 7 PM until around 1 AM, with Security Impress Karaoke, Ghost Talks, the late-night Social Engineering CTF (18+) and Hacker Charlatan.
Saturday, October 31 is also Halloween: the best costume wins $500, judged during the closing ceremony at 5:40 PM.
See the schedule Hackfest @ Night After Dark Costume contest
How do I submit a talk?
The 2026 call for papers closed on August 25, 2026. The schedule is published on cfp.hackfest.ca.
The 2027 call will be announced on the website and in the newsletter.
POLAR
What is POLAR?
POLAR is Hackfest's symposium for cybersecurity managers and decision-makers: a day of talks, panels and networking, the day before the Hackfest talks. 2026 is its 4th edition.
Where and when is POLAR?
Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 8 AM to 6 PM, at Le Capitole de Québec, Le Confessionnal room (972 Saint-Jean Street).
Doors open at 8 AM with pastries and networking. The day ends with a cocktail, then everyone heads to the Hackfest opening cocktail at the Convention Centre.
Who is POLAR for?
For the people in charge of cybersecurity: CISOs, security and IT directors and managers, and decision-makers who need to make informed choices about risk.
A chance to present your challenges, share your successes and struggles, and meet other industry leaders.
Who is on stage at POLAR?
CISOs and cybersecurity leaders from Québec and the United States.
- Jeff Man, NSA-certified cryptanalyst and architect of the NSA's first red team, now at Secure Ideas.
- Dominic Villeneuve, Senior Director of Cybersecurity at UV Assurance.
- A panel on mergers and acquisitions with Éric Hébert (former CISO of Québecor), Samuel Bonneau (Vooban) and Régis Desmeules (Anges Québec).
- Partner talks from Palo Alto Networks, Wiz and Micro Logic.
- Host for the day: Steve Waterhouse.
How much is POLAR and what does the ticket include?
The POLAR ticket is $330 (plus taxes), or $420 (plus taxes) bundled with Hackfest.
The day includes the talks and panels, breakfast pastries, networking breaks, a three-course lunch and the end-of-day cocktail.
CTFs
Which CTFs are there at Hackfest 2026?
Nine competitions, from beginner to professional red team. Some need advance registration, the others are included with the Hackfest ticket.
- Hackfest CTF (HFCTF): 24 hours of team challenges, from Thursday, October 29 at 6 PM to Friday, October 30 at 6 PM.
- Social Engineering CTF (SECTF): OSINT on a real company, then live calls in front of an audience on Friday, October 30.
- StealthCup: red teams attack a real IT/OT network, and every alert costs points. Saturday, October 31, 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Escape Room: physical infiltration, during the HFCTF only, scored on the HFCTF board.
- Beginner CTF: built for learning, easy at first and harder as you go.
- Lockpicking CTF: lockpicking tournament, qualifiers on Friday and final on Saturday.
- Scavenger Hunt: teams of up to 6, with clues at Hackfest and around town.
- BrainFuck: Hackfest's puzzle challenge, across our physical and digital environments.
- Social Engineering CTF, Night Edition (18+): Saturday night during After Dark, no preparation needed.
Which CTFs require advance registration?
Three: the HFCTF, the SECTF and the StealthCup.
- HFCTF: buy the Hackfest + CTF ticket on Eventbrite, then form your team on the platform that opens on October 29.
- SECTF: register on the SECTF page, spots are limited. Refundable $25 fee and a Hackfest ticket required.
- StealthCup: teams register on the StealthCup site (12 teams max). On-site registration is accepted if spots are left. Hackfest ticket required.
Which CTFs are included with the Hackfest ticket?
The Beginner CTF, the Lockpicking CTF, the Scavenger Hunt, BrainFuck and the Social Engineering CTF Night Edition (18+): no separate registration, your Hackfest badge is enough.
The Escape Room is part of the HFCTF: it requires the Hackfest + CTF ticket.
All year round
What is iHack?
iHack is an annual, (almost) free event organized by the Hackfest community: a day of cybersecurity talks held simultaneously in several cities, followed by an evening CTF.
Cities: Québec City, Montréal, Trois-Rivières and Chicoutimi. The 2026 edition took place on May 30.
What is QuébecSec?
QuébecSec is the Hackfest community's monthly security and hacking meetup in Québec City, at La Console (830 Saint-Joseph Street East, 5th floor).
Talks are given in French.
What is the La French Connection podcast?
La French Connection is the French-language cybersecurity and hacking podcast hosted by the Hackfest community, published every two weeks since 2016 on securite.fm.
News, analysis and opinions on incidents, data leaks, privacy and threats affecting Québec, Canada and the rest of the world. Recorded live at Hackfest, in the Podcast Village.
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