This guide explains the typical ranges for different events, what makes one quote higher than another, and how to compare them properly. The figures are general market ranges, not our prices for any particular magician. Your actual quote will always depend on your date, how long you need and how far the magician has to travel.
| Type of booking | Typical UK price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Children's party magic show | £250 to £450 | Weekend afternoons are busiest. Ask what's included, as some packages add party games, music or balloon modelling. |
| Close-up magic at a private party (2 hours) | £300 to £600 | Milestone birthdays, anniversaries and house parties. Saturday nights cost more. |
| Wedding magician (2 to 3 hours) | £400 to £900 | Usually the drinks reception and wedding breakfast. Summer Saturdays book up first. |
| Corporate event (2 to 3 hours) | £500 to £1,200 | Dinners, awards nights and client events. All-day trade shows are priced separately. |
| Christmas party on a December weekend (2 to 3 hours) | £450 to £1,000 | Peak season. Weekdays and January dates are often cheaper. |
| After dinner stage show (20 to 45 minutes) | £500 to £1,500 | Depends on the show and technical needs. Well-known TV acts are priced individually. |
Typical magician prices by type of event
The table above gives the ranges you're likely to see from professional magicians. They overlap a lot, because the same magician might do a wedding one Saturday and a company dinner the next, and their price is shaped more by the date and hours than by the label on the event.
Children's entertainers sit at the lower end because shows are shorter and they often do two or three parties in a weekend. Corporate and stage work sits higher, partly because of the preparation involved and partly because the dates are in such demand.
And if you see someone advertising magic for £100 an hour on a Saturday night in June? Ask plenty of questions. It might be a newcomer, which can be fine for a relaxed do, but it's worth checking their footage and insurance first.
What changes the price
The date. Saturdays from May to September and Fridays and Saturdays in December are the busiest dates in the calendar. A magician can only be in one place at a time, so peak dates cost more, and a Tuesday in February will usually cost less.
How long you need them. Most magicians quote for a set booking, often two hours, rather than a simple hourly rate. Adding an extra hour normally costs less than the first two, because the travel and preparation are already covered.
Experience and demand. A magician with years of weddings and corporate dinners behind them, strong reviews and a full diary will charge more than someone starting out. Acts who've been on television sit in a different bracket again.
The type of show. Close-up magic needs a magician and their pockets. A stage show might need a sound system, props, an assistant and setting-up time, and a large illusion show needs a van and a crew.
Travel, parking and other costs to check
Travel is the most common extra. Some magicians include a set distance in their fee and charge mileage beyond it, others build it all into one price. If your venue is a long way from the magician, an overnight stay might be added for a late finish.
Parking and congestion charges can catch people out, especially in central London, where the Congestion Charge and ULEZ both apply. Ask whether these are included, or simply ask for an all-in price.
VAT is another one. Some entertainers are VAT registered and some aren't, so two quotes that look the same may not be once 20% is added. Check whether the figure you've been given includes VAT.
Does it cost more in London?
Often, a little. London venues tend to be busier, getting in and out takes longer, and there's parking and the Congestion Charge to think about. A magician travelling into the centre for a Friday night will usually price that in.
Outside the big cities, prices are a bit more varied. The bigger factor is usually distance. A magician who lives twenty minutes from your venue will normally be cheaper to book than an equally good one coming from the other end of the country, simply because of the travel and time involved.
So it's worth telling us exactly where your event is, not just the county. It helps us suggest magicians who are close enough to keep the travel sensible.
What's normally included in the fee
For a close-up booking, you'd normally expect the performance time, the magician's props and travel within their usual area. There's very little else to it.
For a stage or children's show, ask whether the sound system is included and how long they'll need to set up. Children's packages vary the most. One entertainer's two-hour party includes games, music, prizes and balloons, while another's is mostly the show, so compare what you're actually getting.
Children's party prices explained
Children's party prices are the hardest to compare, because packages vary so much. Some entertainers do a 45-minute show and leave. Others run the whole party for two hours, with games, music, prizes and balloon modelling, and a break while the food's served.
So rather than comparing headline prices, compare what happens during the time. Ask how long the magic show itself is, whether there are games, whether they bring their own sound system, and if there's anything extra, like balloons or a certificate for the birthday child.
And ask the safety questions too: is there a current DBS check, and is there public liability insurance? A good children's entertainer will happily show you both.
How to compare quotes properly
Line quotes up on the same terms: the same hours, the same performance times, travel included or not, VAT included or not. It's surprising how often a cheaper quote turns out to be for less time.
Then look past the price. Watch real footage of each magician performing for guests, read their reviews, and think about who'll suit your crowd. The difference between an average magician and a great one is huge, and it's usually far smaller in cost than it is on the night.
Deposits and paying the balance
Most magicians and agencies ask for a deposit to secure the date, with the balance due nearer the event. It's normal, because once a date is held they turn down other work for it.
Before paying anything, make sure you know how much the deposit is, when the balance is due and what happens if plans change. With us, your terms are confirmed in your booking confirmation, so you'll have it all in writing.
Booking early and getting good value
The single best way to get the magician you want at a fair price is to book early. Weddings are often booked a year or more ahead, and Christmas party dates go from the summer onwards.
If your budget's tight, be flexible on timings rather than quality. A shorter booking that covers the drinks reception, when magic works best anyway, can be better value than a long one that runs into the disco. A weekday or off-peak date helps too.
When you're ready, tell us the date, the venue or town, the type of event, roughly how many guests and the hours you'd like magic. We'll check who's free and come back with a clear price. No obligation.