Magician: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What magician is

A magician performs close-up or stage magic for parties, corporate events and weddings, choosing tricks that suit the size and age of the audience. People hire one when they want a show that surprises guests and creates conversation.

Signs you need it

  • You want guests to be amazed by tricks during cocktail hour or a reception
  • You want a stage show that keeps a room focused for a set time
  • You want a close-up performer who can move from table to table
  • Your event is for children, adults or a mixed group and needs a suitable act
  • You want something interactive that gets guests involved
  • You want an act that fits a corporate event, a party theme or a wedding

What the pro does

  • Asks about the audience, the setting, the length of the show and any themes you want
  • Chooses tricks that suit the room and the age range of the guests
  • Arrives with props and sets up a table or stage area
  • Performs close-up or stage magic at the times agreed
  • Involves volunteers from the audience in a way that is fun and respectful
  • Packs up props and clears the area

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the show and the number of performances
  • Close-up, stage or a combination of both
  • Audience size and how many tables or rooms the magician must cover
  • Whether the act uses a sound system, a stage or lighting
  • Travel distance and arrival time at the venue
  • Custom effects or a themed set of tricks
  • Whether the magician works with an assistant or a volunteer team

What a written quote should spell out

  • Show type, close-up or stage, and the length of each performance
  • Audience size and the number of tables or rooms covered
  • Equipment needs such as a table, a stage or a microphone
  • Arrival, setup and teardown times
  • How volunteers are chosen and how the magician handles guests who do not want to take part
  • What happens if the magician cannot attend

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you perform close-up, stage or both, and what do you need from the venue?
  • How do you handle guests who do not want to be picked as volunteers?
  • Can I see a video of a show in a setting like mine?
  • Do you adjust the tricks for children or for an adult crowd?
  • How do you move between tables if I need close-up performance?
  • Which tricks need a stage or clear sight lines, and how do you adjust for a room with no stage?
  • Do you carry liability insurance that covers you and your props?

Red flags

  • They cannot tell you whether the act is close-up or stage
  • They promise a show with no description of the tricks or themes
  • They do not ask about the audience or the setting
  • They use volunteers in a way that embarrasses guests
  • They will not confirm the equipment and setup needs in writing

What you can do yourself

You can list the age range of your guests, the length of the show you want and the setting. You can also clear a table or a corner for close-up work and check the room for lighting and sight lines. Hire a magician for the tricks, the audience handling and the timing, since good magic depends on skill and practice.

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for a magician, so ask for proof of liability insurance and references from similar events instead. Some venues or corporate clients have rules for performers or for fire and pyrotechnic effects, so check those rules with the venue and your state or local licensing agency if effects are included.

Magician questions

Does a magician need a license?

Usually not a state license. Ask for insurance and references, and check whether any special effects need a separate permit or venue approval.

Can a magician perform at a wedding?

Yes. Many do close-up work during cocktail hour and a stage act during the reception. Ask the magician whether the price covers both.

Will volunteers be picked from the audience?

Often yes. Ask the magician how volunteers are chosen and whether guests can opt out, so everyone feels comfortable.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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