Uniquely, all of the venues are professionally set-up, with Staging, Sound and Light - however all of the venues are also both free to hire for performers, and free for audiences to see shows - performers take a collection at the end.

Over the last six years, the venues and the 'Free Festival' they have created have garnered a large amount of positive press coverage, and large audiences, allowing sponsors and advertisers to associate with a popular brand, and also a product that is seen as positive, forward thinking and unique.

“The absolute jewel in the crown has been the free festival at various venues throughout the city. The addition of this new strand to the festival must make it the most inclusive festival in the world" - The BBC

The venues have rapidly expanded since 2004, and there are now 14 venues and 22 performance spaces. The number of shows at the venues, and in the Free Festival have grown from four in 2004, to over 230 in 2009 - with 3,500 performances.

All of these venues are run as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and benefits for all of the publicity and press that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival brings, while giving artists the opportunity to perform, and audiences to see good quality performances with one unique difference.

"The Laughing Horse's Free Fringe shows serve as a useful reminder of that frequently encountered concept - The Spirit of the Fringe" - Malcolm Hay, Time Out

A partnership with us offers companies a high profile association  with a dynamic and groundbreaking organisation, and series of venues, with a high profile amongst audiences and performers at the Edinburgh Fringe. 

Audiences across the Fringe, and at our venues tend to be young and affluent, interested in stand-up comedy, entertainment and value products, with 30% originating from Edinburgh, 30% from Scotland,  35% from around the UK and 5% from other countries.

Sponsoring the Free FestivalVenues provides companies with the opportunity to access a targeted audience as well as providing a unique and creative way to enhance marketing objectives and corporate image.

An example of the benefits we could offer a sponsors include:

• Logo and Billing at our venues, website, across our brochures, website and all advertising media.
• Over 160,000 visitors to our venues in 2008, expected to grow in 2010
• Over 75,000 visitors to www.freefestival.co.uk
• Distribution of 50,000 brochures and 2,000 posters advertising the venues in Edinburgh
• Sponsor logo on all printed material from participant groups (each company prints approximate 5,000 flyers and 100 posters - in 2009 there were over 200 companies taking part)
• All shows and venues listed in Fringe programme, and associated publications.
• Visibility in 20 performance spaces and bars, in 14 Edinburgh Venues.