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Festival of retrofit

26th October to 9th November 2026

Discover how retrofit can make homes warmer, greener and cheaper to run

Join a packed programme of events taking place across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire through the East Midlands Festival of Retrofit – part of the Energy-efficient Homes Upgrade Programme.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to cut energy bills, a landlord preparing for future regulations, a tenant wanting a warmer home, or someone interested in a career in the growing green economy, there’s an event for you.

Over two weeks, organisations across the region will host workshops, drop-in sessions, expert talks, demonstrations and open days designed to bring retrofit to life and help people take their next step with confidence.

Why attend?

Retrofit is about improving existing buildings to make them more energy efficient, comfortable and affordable to heat.

Whether you’re just starting to think about making improvements or already planning a project, the Festival offers practical advice tailored to your needs.

Mayor Claire Ward greets a resident who has received funded insulation at her front door.

Events across the East Midlands

The Festival aims to bring retrofit conversations into communities across every city, district and borough in the region.

Events may include:

  • Ask the Expert drop-ins
  • Open homes and case studies
  • Energy advice fairs
  • Equipment and technology demonstrations
  • DIY retrofit workshops
  • Understanding retrofit finance sessions
  • Landlord-focused events, including guidance on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
  • Green careers events and job fairs
  • Meet Your Local Installer events

A full programme of events will be published here soon.

Organising an event?

We’re looking for organisations, local authorities, housing providers, community groups, businesses, installers, manufacturers and education providers to help make the Festival a success.

Our ambition is to ensure every community has the opportunity to engage with retrofit in a way that works for them.

If you’d like to organise an event as part of the Festival, we’d love to hear from you.

Email us to find out more

Green Careers Week

The second week of the Festival coincides with Green Careers Week, creating additional opportunities for schools, colleges, employers and training providers to showcase the exciting careers available within retrofit and the wider green economy.

If you’re considering a new career, retraining, or helping young people explore future opportunities, look out for careers events taking place throughout the programme.

A person in high vis and hard hat is hammering insulation panels on to the outside of a building.

Working together to accelerate retrofit

The East Midlands Festival of Retrofit is being coordinated by the East Midlands Combined County Authority, with support from partners across the region. The Festival aims to raise awareness of retrofit, connect communities with trusted advice and showcase the people and organisations helping to deliver warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient buildings.

Together, we can make retrofit more visible, accessible and achievable for everyone across the East Midlands.