Durham Fringe Festival wouldn’t be where it is today without the generous support of the business community. We have just delivered our fifth event – our biggest and most ambitious yet - and are eagerly looking ahead at plans for 2026 and beyond. We are not only looking ahead at delivering our 6th festival in July 2026 but are now also hosting a monthly event and developing an artist support programme, the Durham Fringe Academy. Plans are also in the works to open a brand new venue in Durham city centre – a building to host our own Fringe events and outreach, offer rehearsal spaces, and collaborate with other cultural partners such as Durham Jazz Festival.

We are looking for sponsors to join us on our journey to grow the North East’s most exciting arts festival.

Partnering with Durham Fringe Festival is a great way to demonstrate your support for performing arts, Durham City and the North East. It’s a great way to give back to the local community and to diversify your staff benefits package, at the same time as profiling your brand with Durham Fringe’s growing audience.

We have developed a range of sponsor packages to suit all budgets. Benefits include guest passes, PR, discounts on tickets for your staff team, and access to our new monthly events.

We have a range of affordable advertising opportunities are available to any business. As a sponsor, you can add advertising to your package at a 25% discount.

Tap into our audience by featuring an ad in 12,000 printed programmes in 2026. Programmes are distributed across the North East, with particular focus in County Durham.

You can also place an exclusive homepage ad on our website -- there is just one of these opportunities available! In 2025, our website welcome 135,000 visitors (35% increase vs 2024).

Whilst there is a variety of benefits you can tap into as business sponsor - from employee benefits to advertising and PR - we believe it’s mostly about backing a cause you believe in. Your investment in Durham Fringe CIC pours directly back into our local community, and the cultural sector. As a sponsor, you publicly show your endorsement for performing arts and pledge to support grassroots creativity.

AS A DURHAM FRINGE CIC SPONSORS...

You are funding investment in young volunteer technicians who go on to have careers in off-stage theatre roles, a sector that currently has severe skills gaps.

You are helping to provide one-to-one support for emerging performers who just need advice, support and encouragement to bring the next Fleabag or Six The Musical to the stage.

You are investing in Durham, helping grow a new festival that attracts people to our city and boosts our collective local economy.

Get in touch with our Festival Manager to discuss becoming a 2026 sponsor: [email protected]