Stay & Play with Sydney Fringe Festival

Sydney Fringe invites you to join our Stay & Play program.  A unique opportunity to connect with thousands of festival-goers and transform Sydney into a proper festival city.

The Sydney Fringe Festival is the largest independent arts festival in New South Wales and the city’s biggest annual celebration of culture. Each September, the festival brings together over 500 events across more than 80 venues, featuring the work of 2,000+ artists in theatre, comedy, music, cabaret, dance, circus, visual arts, and immersive experiences. In 2023 alone, the festival attracted 76,000 attendees and generated $34.4 million in economic impact for Greater Sydney.

In 2025, Fringe runs from 28 August to 30 September, followed by Fringe Kids in October, creating an even longer season for visitors to engage with the city. Across this period, tens of thousands of ticket-holders will move between venues, explore new precincts, and seek memorable food, drink, and accommodation experiences. Stay & Play is your chance to put your business at the centre of their journey.

What Stay & Play Is

Stay & Play is designed to extend the festival experience beyond the stage and into the city. Audiences don’t just see a show, they want the complete cultural journey: grabbing a bite before curtain up, enjoying drinks afterwards, or booking a weekend staycation to soak it all in.

Participating businesses can offer:

• Dinner deals & pre-show menus

• Post-show drink specials & late-night offers

• Accommodation packages for locals and visitors

• Festival-themed experiences & add-ons

By joining Stay & Play, you’ll directly connect with audiences primed to spend. 80% of ticket-holders dine or drink before or after a show, and many travel across Greater Sydney and interstate, making hospitality and accommodation integral to their Fringe experience.

It Starts With a Ticket

At Sydney Fringe, we believe it all starts with one ticket. That single ticket doesn’t just lead to a performance, it sparks a chain reaction:

• A hotel booking.

• A dinner reservation.

• A round of cocktails with friends.

• A late-night adventure in a local neighbourhood.

That one ticket supports the artist, the venue, and the city. Stay & Play also supports your business. By aligning your offer with the festival, you make your venue a part of the story & part of what makes Sydney Fringe unforgettable.

Our Venue Hubs

Fringe activations are concentrated in key festival hubs that transform into vibrant cultural destinations. In 2025, these include:

• Erskineville

• South King Street

• Marrickville

• Darlinghurst

• Bondi

• Moore Park

• North CBD

These hubs see thousands of people every night, moving between theatres, galleries, bars, and eateries. Stay & Play partners in and around these precincts will be ideally positioned to capture this foot traffic and benefit from the festival’s buzz.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking Sydney businesses that want to showcase the best of our city’s hospitality, lifestyle, and visitor experience. Ideal partners include:

• Hotels & accommodation providers offering festival stay packages.

• Restaurants & cafes curating pre- and post-show dining.

• Bars & breweries providing Fringe-themed drink specials.

• Tourism & attractions bundling experiences with Fringe.

• Retailers in Fringe hubs who want to tap into festival crowds.

What You Can Expect

By joining Stay & Play, you will:

• Be featured in Sydney Fringe marketing and website, reaching tens of thousands of festival-goers.

• Gain visibility through festival precinct activations and campaigns.

• Align your brand with Sydney Fringe’s reputation for being bold, playful, and creative.

• Enjoy direct economic benefit from increased visitation and spending.

• Position your business as a cultural destination during Sydney’s most exciting month.

Why Join Stay & Play?

• Direct Economic Impact: Fringe generates tens of millions in spending each year. Stay & Play channels this into your precinct and your business.

• Audience Behaviour: Fringe audiences are adventurous, social, and eager to explore; they want the complete package.

• Precinct Activation: Support your neighbourhood in becoming a must-visit destination during the festival.

• Marketing Value: Feature in official Fringe communications, media stories, and visitor recommendations.

Who Should Apply

We encourage applications from:

• Boutique & large hotels

• Restaurants, bars, and cafes

• Late-night venues & breweries

• Tourism and attraction operators

• Retailers & collectives in Fringe hubs

Join Us

Sydney Fringe is more than a festival; it celebrates Sydney’s culture, communities, and neighbourhoods. Stay & Play transforms every ticket into an invitation to discover more of our city's offerings.

By joining the program, your business can:

• Welcome new customers.

• Drive revenue during peak season.

• Align with Sydney’s most significant cultural celebration.

It starts with a ticket. Let that ticket lead to your door.

Please submit the webform and our team will be in touch.

If you have any questions please email marketing@sydneyfringe.com Subject: Stay & Play - Neon Marketplace