Sponsorship Opportunities

The Big Feast 2026: Sponsorship Opportunities

Be part of Stoke-on-Trent’s biggest celebration of Outdoor Arts!

In the centre of the image is a performer who is swishing a brightly coloured skirt. Behind them more performers can be seen holding blue wired skirts all parading down a street.

Legacy: Parade, Kwanzaa Collective UK, The Big Feast 2023, photo by Jenny Harper

The Big Feast is a free two-day festival taking place in Hanley city centre on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August 2026.

For one weekend each year, the city centre becomes a stage for spectacular outdoor performances, installations, music, dance, circus, storytelling and family-friendly experiences. The Big Feast brings people together, attracts visitors into the city centre and creates memorable experiences for thousands of local residents and visitors.

Delivered by Appetite, The Big Feast has been inspiring audiences for more than a decade. In 2026, we will celebrate the 12th edition of the festival.

We're inviting businesses and organisations to join us in making The Big Feast 2026 bigger, brighter and more impactful than ever.


Why The Big Feast Matters

The Big Feast delivers real benefits for Stoke-on-Trent's communities, city centre and local economy. The festival helps drive footfall, supports local businesses, encourages repeat visits and strengthens pride in place. In 2025, we saw:

  • 10,000 Attendees

  • £300k economic impact

  • 78% of people came specifically for The Big Feast

  • 88% very likely to return to the city centre

  • 77% positive perception of Hanley (up from 42%)

The Big Feast helps drive footfall, supports local businesses, encourages repeat visits and strengthens pride in place.

A number of people are sitting down or standing up, smiling,  as though watching a performance. Everyone is looking to the right and a lady in the centre of the image is holding her phone up to take a photograph.

The Big Feast 2023, photo by Jenny Harper

Why Sponsor The Big Feast?

By sponsoring The Big Feast, your organisation will:

  • Connect with thousands of local residents and visitors

  • Increase visibility for your brand

  • Demonstrate commitment to Stoke-on-Trent and its communities

  • Support free cultural experiences that are accessible to everyone

  • Align your organisation with one of the city's most loved public events

  • Help create a vibrant, welcoming city centre

The Big Feast 2025 Marketing Reach

  • 105,000+ social media reach

  • 174,000+ social media views

  • 4,000+ website visits

  • 3,000 printed programmes distributed

  • 5,000 promotional postcards delivered to local households

Two performers dressed in white can be seen in the centre of this street image. In between them is a very large clear through box which one of them is pushing. People are sitting and standing all around the performers watching.

Bonded by Alleyne dance, The Big Feast 2022, photo by Jenny Harper

A Trusted Partner

Appetite has a proven track record of delivering high-quality cultural events that bring people together, increase footfall, generate economic impact and strengthen pride in place.

As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, Appetite is recognised nationally for its work connecting people and communities with ambitious arts and cultural experiences.

For more than a decade, The Big Feast has transformed Stoke-on-Trent city centre into a vibrant destination for thousands of residents and visitors. By partnering with Appetite, sponsors can be confident they are investing in an established, professionally delivered event with a strong reputation and measurable impact£250

Sponsorship Opportunities

Friend of The Big Feast £250

Friend of The Big Feast £250

Perfect for independent businesses, sole traders and organisations who want to support The Big Feast and be recognised as part of the festival community. Benefits include:

  • Business name listed on the Big Feast website

  • Business name included in festival supporter listings

  • Social media thank-you post

  • Digital "Proud Supporter of The Big Feast 2026" badge for use on your website and social channels of the Big Feast £250

The Big Feast Sponsor £750

A great option for businesses looking to increase their visibility while supporting a flagship cultural event. Benefits include:

  • Logo included on selected festival print materials

  • Logo featured on the Appetite website

  • Dedicated sponsor social media acknowledgement

  • Inclusion in sponsor announcements and press activity

  • Advert in the printed and online festival programme

The Big Feast Event Partner £2,500

Become associated with a specific part of the festival and demonstrate visible support for arts, culture and community in Stoke-on-Trent. Choose an impact area that reflects your organisations values and priorities. Our impact areas:

Accessibility - Help remove barriers to participation through accessible information, interpretation and audience support.

Young People - Support opportunities for young performers, volunteers and creative talent.

Volunteers - Enable local people to gain skills, confidence and experience through volunteering.

Community Participation - Help local residents take part in creating and shaping festival experiences.

Environmental Sustainability - Support greener ways of delivering outdoor events and reducing environmental impact.

Benefits may also include:

  • All Sponsor-level benefits

  • Enhanced logo placement across festival marketing

  • Targeted on-site branding linked to your sponsored area

  • Recognition by event hosts and presenters

  • Opportunities for employees to volunteer as part of The Big Feast team

  • Bespoke PR and marketing opportunities

Let’s Talk!

To be part of supporting The Big Feast talk to us. Whether you're interested in one of the sponsorship packages outlined here or would like to discuss a bespoke partnership, we'd be delighted to hear from you. We also welcome in-kind support and services.

To discuss sponsorship opportunities or partnership ideas, please contact: heather@appetite.org.uk

Please note: To be included in printed festival materials, sponsorship must be confirmed by 10 July 2026. 

The image is outside in a city centre. A group of musicians wearing red and yellow boiler suits are performing.

The Journey, Perhaps Contraption, The Big Feast 2024, photo by Jenny Harper

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