GDC Nights
The Evening's Main Event
When the day wraps, the Festival turns up.
By day you learn, build, and deal-make. By night, you celebrate the craft with your community. GDC Nights brings festival energy to every evening with music, mixers, and show-stopping moments! There's always somewhere to connect, unwind, and keep the momentum going.
All GDC Nights events are included with your pass.
The Line-Up
Monday: Opening Night Social Mixer
Kick off the week with your people! A big-tent welcome for the entire B2B games ecosystem – teams reuniting, new faces meeting, intros turning into plans. Great music, easy mingling, and plenty of conversation starters.
Tuesday: Developer's Concert
The soundtrack of the industry, live on stage. Composer Austin Wintory returns to lead the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in an evening that celebrates the craft of audio and emotion of play. Expect masterful performances, special guests, and a few surprises.
Wednesday: Independent Games Festival (IGF) Awards
Indie ingenuity in the spotlight. Celebrate boundary-pushing teams and standout student creators as the IGF honors the year’s most inventive work. Then meet the makers and play their games in the IGF Pavilion on the Festival Hall floor.
Thursday: Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA)
Join the people who change the game. A peer-recognized celebration of the year’s defining achievements. From Game of the Year to excellence in design, narrative, visual art, audio, and innovation, GDCA gathers the makers setting tomorrow’s standard.