Free Digi Fest gives Wigan two days of hands-on tech
Gaming, coding and virtual reality will sit alongside a cyber escape room when Digi Fest arrives at two Wigan Borough libraries. The free festival takes place at Leigh Library on Tuesday 11 August 2026 from 2pm to 6pm, followed by Wigan Library on Thursday 13 August from 11am to 3pm.
Both sessions are open to residents of all ages and abilities. Organised by Digital Wigan, the event is designed for people taking their first steps online as well as those who want to develop their existing knowledge through practical activities.
Two four-hour sessions at borough libraries
Digi Fest is being held as two separate sessions rather than one continuous event. Residents can attend the date and location that suits them:
- Leigh Library: Tuesday 11 August, 2pm to 6pm
- Wigan Library: Thursday 13 August, 11am to 3pm
Entry is free, and Wigan Council describes the festival as open to all. The published announcement does not state whether advance booking is required, nor does it provide transport or accessibility details.
Gaming, coding and virtual reality in the discovery zones
Tech discovery zones will give visitors opportunities to get hands-on with gaming, coding and virtual reality. The programme also includes a cyber escape room and partner pop-ups involving ComputerXplorers and Daresbury Laboratory.
Councillor Nazia Rehman, Leader of Wigan Council, said Digi Fest is intended to make technology accessible to the whole family while helping residents learn practical digital skills and find community support.
The mix of demonstrations and guidance reflects the festival’s everyday focus: showing how technology can make routine tasks easier, safer and more enjoyable, rather than assuming visitors already have specialist knowledge.
TechMates and local services will offer support
Digital Wigan’s TechMates service will attend both library sessions. Its team will provide basic technology guidance and speak with residents interested in volunteering their own skills with the service.
Each event will also have a marketplace bringing together local services, support organisations and businesses. Council services represented will include Family Hubs, Be Well and Adult Learning, with stalls covering opportunities to build skills, connect with other people and support wellbeing. Free health checks will be available specifically at the Wigan Library event.
Digital Wigan has supported local residents for five years. Its other work includes the Access for All initiative, which provides devices and connectivity to residents in need, and DigiDens created with Family Hubs as places where people can get online and receive advice.
What to confirm before attending
Visitors choosing between the two sessions should note that the Wigan event includes the free health checks, while the remaining advertised activities and TechMates support are scheduled across both locations.
Anyone who needs booking, transport or accessibility information will need to check those arrangements before setting out, as they are not specified in the announcement. The confirmed sessions remain Leigh Library from 2pm on 11 August and Wigan Library from 11am on 13 August.
Source: Wigan Council
Context & actions About this article
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The dates, venues, opening hours, cost and advertised activities were matched to Wigan Council's published event announcement.
- Matched the Leigh Library session to Tuesday 11 August from 2pm to 6pm.
- Matched the Wigan Library session to Thursday 13 August from 11am to 3pm.
- Confirmed that both events are described as free and open to all ages and abilities.
- Kept the free health checks identified as a Wigan Library activity only.
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- Wigan Council
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- Wigan Borough
- Updated
- 2026-08-03 15:22
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