Magician for a Christmas ball

There are two ways to do it. Close-up magic during the champagne reception and at the tables, or a stage act as the centrepiece of the night. Some balls book both.

Close-up magic for the reception

The champagne reception at a ball can be a bit stiff. People are dressed up, a little on their best behaviour, and standing in groups they arrived with. A close-up magician moving through the crowd loosens things up quickly.

Lewis Joss was booked for exactly this at an end of year ball at Cranfield University. Mix and mingle during the welcome drinks, then table magic once guests sat down for the formal dinner. Have a read of that review on his page.

For a big ball, think about numbers. One close-up magician can reach a good chunk of a 150 strong reception, but at 300 or more you'll want two, or you'll get tables asking why the magician never came over. We can book acts who work well side by side.

A headline show on stage

If your ball has a stage, you might want a proper show. Jay & Joss are a married illusion duo who've been on Britain's Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and toured 28 UK theatres with their own show in 2026. They're a genuine headline act.

For something smaller in scale, Ed the Magician can put on a stage show for up to 400 guests, and The Unusualist brings a more old-fashioned, elegant style of magic that suits historic venues.

Planning a stage spot

Stage acts need the right setup. That means somewhere the whole room can see, decent sound and lighting, and a sensible slot in the running order. After dinner and before the band tends to work best, while people are still seated and paying attention.

We'll talk this through with you and your venue's events team. It's worth doing early, because in December the same ballroom might host a different ball every night and the crew won't have much time to set up.

Charity and club Christmas balls

Charity balls often include a raffle or auction, and a magician who's been round the tables gets the room in a generous mood. If you need someone to host the evening as well, Ashley the Magician is a magician, MC and compere, so he can keep the night moving between the acts.

Club and sports Christmas balls tend to be lively crowds. Jamie Docherty has worked plenty of club presentation nights and is a natural with a room that likes a laugh.

When to book

Christmas balls are usually on Fridays and Saturdays, which are the first December dates to go. Book as soon as your date is set. You'll find rough costs for close-up magic in our price guide, and stage acts are quoted individually, so get in touch with your plans.

Send us the date, venue, guest numbers and whether there's a stage. That's all we need to start checking who's free and what would suit the room.