Friday, 20 March 2026, was another unforgettable day for the Umbraco community. Umbraco Spark continued to deliver on its promise — a one‑day gathering where developers, innovators and community champions come together to learn, share and be inspired. From deep technical talks and creative sessions to the electric energy of the Package Awards, Spark 2026 reminded us exactly why this event holds such a special place on the Umbraco calendar.
Held at We The Curious in Bristol, Spark brought people together under one banner of curiosity and collaboration. Attendees were treated to a programme of lightning talks and in‑depth technical sessions across the CMS and wider digital ecosystem. The setting, the people and the shared enthusiasm created a unique sense of community that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Whether you were enjoying your morning coffee, exchanging ideas over lunch, or talking tech in the sunshine on the balcony, Spark offered something for everyone—and plenty of reasons to connect.
Thought‑Provoking Talks & Practical Insights
Umbraco Spark is designed for developers, tech leads, and digital innovators who want to stay at the forefront of Umbraco and modern web development. This year’s talks span deep technical explorations, practical hands-on demos, forward-thinking perspectives and even a few fun, unexpected insights — all in one main conference track.
Across sessions, one recurring theme was clear: community is a developer’s greatest asset. As one contributor put it, being in a room with other engaged, passionate people didn’t just expand skills — it sparked motivation to explore, build and grow. That feeling — that’s Spark.
Hackathon & Package Jam — A Creative Burst
The day before the conference, many attendees participated in the Spark Hackathon & Package Jam — a collaborative space for building, pitching and iterating new ideas. The energy in those sessions was buzzing and the results spoke volumes. Projects from the Package Jam went on to be showcased at the Package Awards, demonstrating just how much creative potential is unlocked when people come together to build.
Live from Spark!
Not everything was code and configuration — the human side of technology took centre stage too. On stage, Candid Contributions explored how to balance cutting‑edge tooling with human judgement and creativity. This theme resonated deeply — especially at a moment when AI is reshaping how we think about development, problem-solving and collaboration.
The takeaway? Tools can augment our skills, but the real value comes when people steer the narrative, ask thoughtful questions and use technology to amplify impact — not replace intention.
Finding your Spark — Community & Personal Growth
Perhaps the most touching reflections came from individuals who spoke less about technology and more about why Spark matters. Attendees shared stories of personal transformation — how being in the room, hearing others’ journeys, and feeling truly seen by the community pushed them to explore new paths and try fresh approaches.
One community member described Spark as the point where they “found their spark” again — a reminder that the event is as much about people as it is about code.
Check out several other posts from the community:
https://www.nevitech.co.uk/blog/building-an-ai-powered-log-analyser-for-umbraco-at-the-spark-hackathon/?utm_source=umbfyi&utm_medium=email
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/live-from-spark-2026-ai-play-and-the-human-in-the-loop--71006607?utm_source=umbfyi&utm_medium=email
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/finding-my-spark-through-community-spinbox-digital-q5sme/?utm_source=umbfyi&utm_medium=email
That's a Wrap — See You in 2027!
To every speaker, volunteer, sponsor, attendee and member of the wider Umbraco community — thank you! This day wouldn’t be possible without your energy, curiosity and commitment.
👉 Interested in sponsoring 2027? Reach out at umbracospark@gibedigital.com
✨ SAVE THE DATE: We’ll be back on Friday 19th March 2027 — and trust us, you’ll want to be part of it. Tickets go on sale in November 2026.
We can’t wait to see you at Umbraco Spark 2027! 👋
