How much does it cost to hire a magician in London?
Professional magician fees in London
If you’re considering hiring a close-up magician to perform at your event, expect to pay from £500 and above. Hiring a magician, for many, is an unknown expenditure, but as a rough guide, magician prices should start at £500 for a good magician.
Let’s explore the magician’s cost for corporate events, birthday parties, and wedding receptions a little further.
Corporate Events
How much does a magician charge for a corporate function?
Typically, you can hire a close-up magician to perform at the drinks reception, around the tables, and post-meal.
This is 3 hours for a combination of the drinks reception and around the tables, and you would expect £750 per table magician.
If you would like a close-up magician only for your drinks reception (typically an hour), fees would start at £500.
Expect to pay more if you would like to hire a magician with additional skill sets, such as pickpocketing.
If you would like a combination of all three sections: drinks reception, around the tables, and post-meal, expect to pay around £900.
Private Party Magician cost
Fancy some magic tricks and wow moments at your upcoming birthday party? How much do London magicians charge to perform magic at your 40th birthday party?
As a rough guide, expect fees of around £500-£750 for 2 hours of entertainment.
Like all industries, prices vary, and you will certainly find many magicians who will charge much less than this.
A children’s magician will charge around £250-£350 for a 1-2 hour performance.
How much is a close-up magician for a wedding
If you want to book a magician who knows his way around an audience, fees should start from £500. Your wedding magician should have a few packages for you to choose from;
Drinks reception – this is a great time to help break the ice for your wedding guests
The wedding breakfast – the perfect entertainment to encourage audience participation
The evening reception – amazing close-up magic to entertain both day and evening guests on your special day.
A wedding magician is a great addition to any wedding!
Other considerations
When considering hiring a London magician, there are many factors to consider:
Day of the week:
A Saturday evening versus a Monday evening for that special occasion you have planned may well snag you a little discount. However, corporate events are mostly weekdays so magicians tend to keep the same rate.
Travel expenses:
If you have your eye on a particular close-up magician who isn’t in the London area, expect to pay extra to cover their travel costs.
Magic Circle member:
If it’s important to you that they are members of an inner magic circle, your professional magician may command a greater fee. My recommendation is to look past this and look up some independent reviews and video performances.
Virtual Magician:
2020 was a booming year for Zoom magic shows. They’re still around to this day, and although you won’t have to fork out on travel costs, your professional magician will command a fairly large fee due to its unique (and tricky) format.
Close-up Magic v Mind Reading
Most magicians in London will offer a hybrid of amazing magic tricks with a little mind-reading chucked in for good measure. However, if you find a professional entertainer who only bills himself as a mind reader, expect to pay more than the average £500.
Why? People often think mind-reading entertainment is more than it is and are willing to pay extra for the mystery! Naturally, insiders know it’s all clever tricks and illusions.
Performance Time or packages?
Most magicians tend to offer packages rather than charging by the hour. Why is this beneficial? By understanding your event’s itinerary, a magician can provide a customized quote that takes into account all the activities planned. Since every event is unique, hiring a magician on an hourly basis may not be the most effective choice.
London Magician Cost
Expect to pay from £500 for close-up magic at your upcoming event. As we’ve discussed, entertainment fees will vary from one magician to another and also the event type.
Bottom line: If you receive an unbelievably low quote, investigate further by checking their social media profiles and Google reviews. Hiring a subpar magician could end up costing your event much more in the long run!
How much magicians charge isn’t governed by anyone, and prices are not fixed. Some will overcharge, and some will charge less than they should! Do your homework and book an entertainer with glowing reviews and testimonials from previous clients. Remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to hiring a professional magician in London. Remember the factors mentioned above when considering the cost of hiring a magician, and always prioritize quality entertainment that will make your event truly memorable. So next time you plan an event in London, don’t be afraid to budget for a talented magician – it’ll be worth every penny!