10 Tech Conferences and Events You Can’t Miss in 2026

By Raquel Santos

2026 brings a strong tech agenda in Portugal, with conferences, fairs, and festivals that set the pace of innovation. If you’re looking to learn, network, and follow the trends that will shape the future, these are the 10 events you really need to have on your radar.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS ARTICLE:

– Essential Tech Events of 2026 – the most relevant conferences, fairs, and festivals in Portugal;

– Dates and Locations – information to help you plan your attendance at the right events.

Every year, Portugal strengthens its position as one of Europe’s most vibrant tech hubs. In 2026, the agenda is especially strong: events covering everything from Industry 4.0 to smart cities, from young talent to data science, from employability to the largest tech conferences in the world.

This article gathers 10 events you can’t miss — a carefully selected list of the best opportunities for learning, networking, and personal and professional growth. KWAN will be present at several of these events, so you’ll have the chance to meet our team and discover real opportunities to advance your tech career (stay tuned to our social media for more!).

You’ll want to mark these dates on your calendar.

The 10 Must-Attend Tech Events of 2026

1. 360 Tech Industry — May 20–21 — Exponor, Oporto

360 Tech Industry returns in 2026 with an enhanced edition focused on technologies redefining industrial processes — from intelligent automation to collaborative robotics, from AI applied to production to additive manufacturing solutions.

The fair’s environment is fully decision-oriented: visitors come prepared to explore solutions, compare technologies, and speak with experts. It’s a true showcase of what’s changing in Industry 4.0 and 5.0.

The growth over recent years demonstrates the event’s relevance for engineers, operational managers, and professionals working daily with efficiency, maintenance, automation, and process digitization.

2. Data Makers Fest — May 4–6 — Oporto

Three days dedicated to the data community: workshops, tutorials, deep talks, and plenty of networking. Data Makers Fest is explicitly “for data practitioners” — people who work with data every day.

From artificial intelligence to LLMs, from data engineering to MLOps, from ethics to practical machine learning applications, this is where what really matters gets discussed.

Additionally, the relaxed atmosphere — music, socializing, and an almost festival-like environment — makes the event especially memorable.

3. Portugal Smart Cities Summit — May 12–14 — FIL, Lisbon

For three days, FIL becomes the national center of urban innovation. Municipalities, tech companies, startups, universities, and experts come together to design the future of cities — smarter, more sustainable, and more human-centered.

The 2026 edition of Portugal Smart Cities Summit focuses on three main axes: Collaborative Territories, Circular Territories, and Competitive Territories. Each day brings an essential discussion. Moreover, it targets professionals in mobility, energy, sustainability, urban planning, and urban tech.

It’s also a prime space for companies and professionals operating at the intersection of technology and public policy. Networking with decision-makers here is especially valuable — many national projects originate in this collaborative environment.

4. FISTA — March 4–5 — ISCTE, Lisbon

Organized by students, FISTA is one of the most relevant academic events in technology and architecture. In just two days, it hosts conferences with industry leaders, practical workshops, company booths, and speed interview sessions.

For ISCTE students (and beyond), FISTA is an excellent opportunity to make first contact with companies, understand what they are looking for, and gain inspiration for the future.

5. Building The Future — March 12–13 — Venue TBA

Since 2019, Building The Future has established itself as Portugal’s leading event on digital transformation. The 2026 edition continues this tradition: two days of intensive content on innovation, strategy, AI, cloud, security, talent, leadership, and technological evolution.

The event stands out for bringing together decision-makers, technical teams, startups, experts, and companies seeking to reimagine the future of their business. If you want to understand where enterprise technology is really heading — and how it impacts people, processes, and organizations — this is the place to be.

Many tech professionals find inspiration here, as well as important contacts to advance their careers. The event addresses technology as much as it addresses people.

6. FEUP Career Fair — Date TBA — Oporto

With over two decades of history, FEUP’s career fair is one of the most respected in Portugal. Over time, it has evolved with new formats, maturity, and a stronger connection between companies, students, and academic research.

This event goes far beyond recruitment: there are debates, workshops, lab visits, and a strong culture of academic community.

It’s an essential event for engineering students in Oporto!

7. TecStorm — March 27–29 — Técnico Innovation Center, Lisbon

The country’s largest university hackathon returns, challenging hundreds of students to turn ideas into prototypes over an intense weekend.

TecStorm is a complete cycle where each team receives support from specialists who help refine projects in areas like digital energy, smart mobility, cities of the future, or payment systems.

It’s one of the best spaces in the country to discover emerging talent — and one of the most exciting for putting into practice concepts that often remain theoretical.

8. JobFest — Date TBA — NOVA FCT, Lisbon

NOVA FCT’s largest employability and entrepreneurship fair returns in 2026 to connect students with some of the country’s most influential companies. The JobFest atmosphere is always vibrant: hundreds of students seeking opportunities and dozens of companies looking for talent.

For those finishing their studies or starting their careers, it’s a must-attend — a direct gateway to the professional world.

9. Web Summit — November 9–12 — Lisbon

No introduction needed. Web Summit is simply one of the world’s largest tech events — a meeting point for thousands of founders, developers, investors, companies, creators, journalists, and global leaders.

The 2026 edition continues what made the event so relevant: expert-led content, practical masterclasses, AI-facilitated meetings, hundreds of talks, thousands of startups, and a networking environment that spreads across the entire city.

If you want to understand global trends, this is the stage.

10. SINFO — April 20–24 — Lisbon

Portugal’s largest free tech conference returns for its 33rd edition. Organized by students, SINFO has an impressive track record: major global tech names, hands-on workshops, company presentations, and an opportunities fair.

For many young developers, SINFO is the first contact with companies and the professional side of technology. It’s a week full of energy, learning, and community.