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 three 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 alongside the original Linsay's venue there are now Eight others, with further additions planned in 2008. The number of shows at the venues, and in the Free Festival have grown from four in 2004, to 69 in 2006, and iver 130 in 2007 - with 2,175 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 50,000 visitors to our venues in 2006, expected to grow in 2007 to over 100,000 visitors.
• Over 40,000 visitors to www.freefestival.co.uk
• Distribution of 30,000 brochures and 1,000 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 2007 there are 130 companies taking part)
• All shows and venues listed in Fringe programme, and associated publications.
• Visibility in 12 performance spaces and 15 bars, in 9 Edinburgh Venues.