EdFest
What is EdFest?
EdFest is a gathering of eight of the core venues that present a world-class programme of shows as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; _Assembly_, _C ARTS_, _Gilded Balloon_, _Just the Tonic_, _Pleasance_, _Summerhall Arts_, _Underbelly_ and _ZOO_.
This collaboration was initiated in 2022 after the impact of the Covid pandemic that created a two-year hiatus for the Festival. 2020 was cancelled. And in 2021, most of the EdFest venues operated at about ten percent of what they did pre-pandemic. The endeavour behind working together is to collaborate on all the complexities of rebuilding this incredible event and at the heart of it is our commitment to programming world-class shows and creating wonderful experiences for audiences.
Edfest.com brings together all the EdFest shows under our collective banner and makes it easy for customers to buy tickets for any of the eight venues in one basket. There is a search function that helps you find what you want to see when. Show pages containing information from the venues and presenting companies.
Why EdFest.com?
EdFest.com offers a fairer, more supportive booking platform for the festival community. With booking fees capped at £5, up to £2.50 less than competitors, audiences enjoy real savings per transaction.
Venues benefit directly too, receiving 50% of all booking fee income to help sustain those who bring the festival to life. Artists and venues retain more of their earnings, thanks to a low 3% commission, while enjoying complete control over their show listings and promotional strategy. By prioritising affordability, transparency, and creative autonomy, EdFest.com helps make the festival experience more rewarding for everyone involved.
Love the Fringe
What is Love the Fringe?
Love the Fringe is a pioneering membership initiative run by seven of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's most influential venues: Assembly, C ARTS, Gilded Balloon, Just the Tonic, Pleasance, Underbelly and ZOO.
Designed to enhance accessibility and sustainability at the Fringe, this scheme invites audiences to support the arts while enjoying a range of benefits. With over a million tickets available per week during the festival, Love the Fringe aims to make better use of existing resources while championing fairer opportunities for artists and venues.
To take part in Love the Fringe or to list your show on EdFest.com please contact [email protected].
Benefits for Members
Members of Love the Fringe enjoy a host of exclusive perks designed to enrich their festival experience. These include:
- Access to free tickets
- Exclusive discounts on shows, festival bars and local businesses
- A review digest highlighting the best shows at the fringe
- and much more!
In return for their support, members not only gain more value from their festival visits but also contribute directly to the sustainability of the event.
Benefits for Artists and Venues
The scheme brings tangible benefits to the artists and venues who participate. Revenue generated from memberships provides direct financial support, helping to offset production and operational costs. Participating shows also gain increased visibility through promotional efforts linked to the membership, attracting new audiences. Furthermore, artists and venues are encouraged to make use of unsold tickets by offering them as part of the scheme turning potential losses into opportunities for engagement and income.
The 50/50 Scheme: A Fairer Revenue Model
At the heart of Love the Fringe is a 3-year pilot programme based on a 50/50 profit-sharing model. After operational costs are deducted from membership revenue, the remaining profit is split equally between artists and venues. For example, if £100 in membership sales results in a £70 profit after costs, then £35 is allocated to artists and £35 to venues. This equitable model ensures that even free ticket redemptions contribute value to those who create and host performances, supporting a more sustainable approach to discount ticketing.
The 3% Commitment: How Shows Participate
To be part of the scheme, shows are asked to allocate as little as just 3% of their total ticket inventory to Love the Fringe promotions.
For example, a show in a 100-seat venue performing 27 times would contribute 81 tickets. These can be evenly spread across performances or distributed strategically, such as offering more during quieter weekdays.
Participating shows also have the flexibility to offer additional deals on EdFest.com, such as 2-for-1 offers or discounted prices. This approach maximises audience reach without significantly impacting potential box office income.
2025 Target and Long-Term Vision
The scheme's goal for 2025 is to reach 18,000 memberships, generating around £500,000 in revenue. After covering costs, an estimated £400,000 or more would go directly to artists, producers, and venues. This financial boost, driven by community support, could make a significant difference to those staging work at the Fringe.
In Summary
Love the Fringe is more than just a membership. It's a collaborative initiative to reshape the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the better. By making the festival more accessible and affordable for audiences, fairly compensating artists and venues, and promoting more efficient use of available inventory, the scheme helps build a stronger, more inclusive festival community. It offers a practical and positive solution to some of the challenges facing the Fringe today, while fostering a loyal and engaged audience for the future.
How to Claim Your Show on EdFest.com?
We are delighted to offer our '**Claim Your Show**' feature for Producers, Performers and Marketing & PR associates. By claiming your show you can add additional copy, tour dates, line-ups, videos, sizzle reels, social links.
Find out how to claim your show here here.
How to Add and Amend EdFest Offers and Love the Fringe Allocations?
Companies with participating venues can add their own offers straight onto EdFest.com to get more people in to see your show and spread the word about how fantastic it is.
Find out how to add and amend offers here here.