March 9, 2026
Wrench wars and wisdom
Fixfest is a global gathering of repairers, tinkerers, and activists
Fixfest buzz: from “restart parties” to deep philosophy, the fix-it crowd goes off-script
TLDR: Fixfest, the global repair meetup, is coming back and urging fans to sign up for updates. Commenters split between practical parts talk (bring capacitors, fix USB‑C ports) and big-picture ideas about repair culture—from open-source software to repair as real-world “wealth”—making this a feel-good fight worth watching.
Fixfest—the globe-trotting meetup for people who love bringing broken stuff back to life—is revving up for its next edition, and the community is already loud about what really matters: parts, ports, and a little existential spice. The 2025 London edition gathered 220+ repairers and policy folks, but the comments stole the show. One veteran of a “restart party” begged for basics—capacitors and power cords—then dropped the real boss fight: those fiddly USB‑C ports. Cue the chorus: is the future of repair just better parts bins, or do we need a whole rethink on fragile connectors?
Meanwhile, another commenter went full heart-on-sleeve, calling repair better for the planet, your wallet, and your soul—then pulled software into the chat. Open-source code and clear docs, they said, are the repair ethos for apps: fixable by design. That set the tone for a split vibe: practical fixers trading part lists vs. dreamers preaching “maintainability for everything.” And then came the philosopher: a nod to David Deutsch’s idea that repair creates “wealth” by expanding what we can change in the world—some cheered, others joked we’d wandered into a book club.
Fixfest says it’ll return every 2–3 years, so sign up for updates. Email sharing is limited to future event organizers, so your inbox won’t get bricked—unlike your laptop’s USB‑C port, apparently.
Key Points
- •Fixfest is a recurring international gathering focused on repair, held every two to three years.
- •The most recent international Fixfest took place in London in September 2025.
- •Over 220 participants, including repairers and policymakers, attended the 2025 event to share skills and experiences.
- •National or regional Fixfest events may be organized between international editions.
- •A newsletter provides updates on future Fixfest events; data use and privacy details are outlined, with unsubscribe options available.