Hiring a Magician or Mentalist: What Does It Cost?
If you’re looking to hire a magician or mentalist for your upcoming event, you'll be surprised to know that rates might range from $500 to $10,000+. Yes you read that right. Rates for specialty talent like Magicians all vary due to a long list of factors such as: event details, performers experience, location, TV exposure, awards, and much more. Are they specifically a kids birthday party magician or are they a magician and mentalist for corporate events, weddings, and adult birthday parties. There are many factors at play so to look for the "going rate" is near impossible. It all depends who you are speaking to. My suggestion - make a list of your best magicians and mentalist near you and find one that fts your budget. Let's break this idea down a bit more below.
What Affects the Cost?
Several factors go into what magicians charge for their services such as the market their in. A kids birthday party magician will have a different rate compared to a magician or mentalist focused on magic for adults, weddings and corporate events like networking events, galas, and client appreciation to name a few. In general, here are the basic categories and price ranges you might find. Keep in mind - every magician has their own price these are just estimates.
All rates below are estimates and don't reflect on any magician or mentalist and their own pricing. Reach out to a mentalist or magician near you to request their event rates.
- Kids' Birthday Parties: Usually, a magic show designed to be performed in front of a group for kids. May often offer packages including balloon animals, cotton candy, gift bags, and interactive tricks and highly visual kid friendly magic tricks and games. Rates might range from $150 to $500+, depending on the performer and or agency you reach out to.
- Magic for Adults: From mind-reading demonstrations, pickpocketing, and a modern form of magic involving card tricks, coins, and borrowed objects to name a few. Magic and mentalism for adult events may range from $750 to $3000+, depending on the performer, booking agency, and location.
- Corporate Events: Magic and Mentalism for corporate events is similar to the style of magic for adults. Difference here is the type of event whether a corporate holiday party, networking event, client appreciation, etc. Also, the style of performance whether it's strolling walk around magic or a stage show. Rates may range around $1000-5000+.
Event Entertainment Service Offerings
In general, there are usually 3 event entertainment options. Every magician sets their own packages and what they offer unique to them. These are the general sense of the service types performed at events.
Strolling walk-around magic
The magician or mentalist blends in with guests as they perform a variety of tricks up close for small groups at a time. Tricks may vary from card tricks, coin tricks, borrowed objects, mind-reading demonstrations, and many more. Perfect for large group events fit with a cocktail hour such as wedding cocktail hours, corporate events, family gatherings, networking events, galas, and much more. Walk around magician or mentalist is a great ice breaker for guests and can range for an hour, 2 hours or 3 hours or more.
Stage shows
Stage shows sometimes known as Parlor Shows or Close Up Shows all are a set show designed to be performed for an audience. Every performer has their own tech requirements whether that is a magic stage show, an illusion show, or a mentalism show. A stage show can run anywhere from 30 mins to 1hr+ for an event. Reach out to your magician or mentalist near you for more details.
Custom Packages
I included this in here because sometimes event planners and event inquiries request specific things such as themed tricks to fit the occasion. Plus, some performers may have special packages that they offer, and some may even tailor their packages to fit an event such as myself.
Overall, hiring a magician or mentalist is a highly personalized experience then a simple "Hey how much do you charge?". Rates vary based on magicians, event type, and your location. Whether you are hosting a birthday party, baby shower, wedding, or corporate event, it's important to find the right event entertainer that fits your needs. A simple search like "magicians near me" or "corporate mentalist near me" will give you a good start and reach out to discuss your event details and budget (obviously most important) to your occasion.
As a NYC based Magician and Mentalist - ready to add some magic to your upcoming event?
Get in touch to book a tailored magic experience for your upcoming event. I'm here to help you.
For tips on how to effectively reach out to a magician or any event entertainer - check out my blog on best practices. I'll cover some quick things I've experienced and how to make the booking process quick and easy.
