FOR EVERYONE FROM AGE 6 TO GRANDPARENTS
Birthday Party Magician
Birthday party magician
Matt Wilson
I'm Matt Wilson, a birthday party magician in Birmingham, Alabama. I've been performing for 34 years, and I still genuinely enjoy it. My shows are for all ages. At a kids' party, the adults usually end up watching and laughing right along with them.
My interactive show runs an hour and is designed for ages 6 and up. It works best at the beginning of the party, before the food and cake. I come to your home or venue, with travel within about 60 miles of Birmingham included. Bookings start at $300.
A performance space as simple as a living room or a private room at a country club will work, as long as everyone is comfortable and there's plenty of room for me to move through the audience and interact with people. I bring everything I need, so once the show starts, your only job is to enjoy it with your guests.
For an adult birthday, whether it's a 30th, a 50th, or a surprise party, I can perform close-up magic as people arrive, a stand-up show after dinner, or both.
The show that gets the party started
The booking
What you get
- Format
- An hour of interactive magic, with the guest of honor taking part. Adult birthdays can include close-up magic, a stand-up show, or both
- Ages
- Ages 6 and up, from kids to grandparents. The sweet spot for a kids' show is 7 to 12
- Room
- A living room or a private room at a country club can both work. I need enough space for everyone to sit comfortably and for me to move through the audience. The show works well for up to about 50 guests, and I bring sound for larger rooms
- Indoors
- Indoors is preferred. Outdoor shows are available on request, and I bring sound for the open air
- Setup
- I bring my own tables and, when needed, my own sound system. You don't need to provide equipment
- Travel
- Travel within about 60 miles of Birmingham is included. For locations farther away, I’ll quote the additional travel when we talk.
What happens
The party, in order
Here's how the show usually fits into a birthday party at home. Adult parties work a little differently, and you'll find those options below.
I get there early.
I normally arrive about twenty minutes before showtime to set up. I bring my own tables and equipment, so you don't need to prepare anything for me.
Kids in front, grown-ups behind.
The kids usually sit on the floor near the front, with the adults seated or standing behind them. The show is for everyone, not only the kids.
The three rules.
I begin every kids' show with three quick rules. They're fun, they take about a minute, and they help everyone settle in without making the opening feel like an announcement.
The birthday kid comes up first.
The guest of honor should feel like the most important person in the room. They're the first person invited up, and the magic happens in their hands.
An hour of show, then cake.
The show starts the party with everyone together. When it ends, I pack up and you can move naturally into food, cake, and everything else you have planned.
Ages
Who it's for
I adjust the show to suit the age of the guest of honor and the people in the room. Here's what changes, along with the age group the show isn't designed for.
Ages 6 to 9
Best forWhere the sweet spot starts · Lots of helpers · Living room is enough
This is the age group I perform for most often. The magic is visual, plenty of kids get involved, and the birthday child is at the center of the show. Seeing an entire room cheer for their friend is one of the main reasons I still love performing at birthday parties.
Ages 10 to 12, and teens
Best forMore mature effects · Adults more engaged · Same show, different shape
Older kids are ready for material that feels a little more grown-up. It's still an interactive show, but the magic changes to suit their age and doesn't talk down to them. That also gives the adults plenty to enjoy.
Adult birthdays
Best forClose-up, stand-up, or both · Surprise parties · Dinner parties
I love performing at adult birthday parties, whether it’s a 30th, a 50th, or a surprise celebration. There’s something special about bringing a room full of people together, creating those shared moments, and hearing everyone laugh.
The show is completely different from my kids’ performances. It features some of my favorite material, magic that’s fun, engaging, and designed specifically for an adult audience. More than anything, I want people to leave talking about the experience long after the party is over.
See close-up magicUnder 6
Best forProbably not the best fit · Mixed ages are fine · I’ll be upfront when we talk
My show is really designed for older kids, so if you’re planning a party for mostly three- or four-year-olds, I’ll be upfront about that when we talk. Younger brothers and sisters are always welcome to sit with a parent and enjoy the show, but if most of the guests are under six, I’m probably not the best fit for your party.
The same show works for libraries, churches, camps, and schools.
See the family showBirthday bookings
What people say
Four children’s parties and two adult ones, in the hosts’ own words.
Before you book
Questions
Here are the practical details about price, ages, timing, and space. If your question isn't covered, just ask.
How much does a magician cost?
Bookings start at $300, including travel within about 60 miles of Birmingham. I also travel beyond that area, with the additional travel included in your quote. The final price depends on the type of event, the length of the performance, and the size of the audience. I’ll work with your budget, so tell me about your event and I’ll send you a quote.
What age is the show right for?
The show is designed for ages 6 and up, with a sweet spot of 7 to 12 for kids’ parties. Mixed ages are completely normal, and I perform for the cousins, parents, and grandparents too. Younger children can sit with a parent and watch, but if most of the guests are three or four, the show probably isn’t the right fit. I’ll tell you that up front.
How long is a performance?
A stand-up show lasts an hour. If a shorter show fits your party better, that’s no problem. Close-up or strolling magic runs from one to three hours, depending on the event.
Do you perform for kids?
Yes. I’ve performed for children at birthday parties, schools, libraries, McWane Science Center, and Children’s of Alabama. I’m comfortable managing a room full of young people without leaving the parents and grandparents out of the fun.
Do you perform for adults?
Yes. I’ve performed at adult birthday parties, engagement parties, dinner parties, wedding receptions, and corporate events. For an adult birthday, I can perform close-up magic as guests arrive, present a stand-up show after dinner, or combine the two.
Are your shows family-friendly?
Yes. The material is clean and suitable for families. There’s nothing for a parent to explain later or a host to apologize for, which is why the show also works well for churches, schools, and libraries.
Do you bring your own sound system?
Yes, when the room requires it. I bring sound for larger rooms and outdoor events, while a typical living room usually doesn’t need amplification. Tell me about the space and I’ll bring the right equipment.
Do you use live animals in your shows?
No. I don’t use rabbits, doves, or any other live animals. That avoids allergy concerns and means your home or venue won’t be left with an animal-related mess.
Why I do this
The kid with the magic box
The first magic set I ever owned was a Marshall Brodien set with a hundred tricks inside. Years later, in the attic at my parents' house, I found the handmade box I kept my props in when I did shows as a kid. Today, that box comes onstage with me in the family show, and the props inside it still vanish.
I've been performing for 34 years. My first paid shows were neighborhood birthday parties when I was a teenager in Gulfport, Mississippi, and I'm still performing them today.
I also have two boys of my own, so I understand what a parent hopes for when hiring someone for a birthday. It isn't a show their child simply watches. It's a show that happens to them.
At one six-year-old's party, the birthday boy made the magic happen himself. His best friends ran over to hug him, and then every other child in the room joined in. That's the kind of moment I care about most. The magic isn't there to make me the center of attention. At a birthday party, it should belong to the birthday kid.
“At one point in the show, all of the kids spontaneously had a group hug. Needless to say, it was a special event for everyone there.”
Three steps
Book a birthday show
You deal directly with me from the first email to the day of the party. The person who answers your questions is the same person who performs the show.
Tell me about the party
Send me the date, location, approximate number of guests, and the ages you expect. That gives me enough information to recommend the right show and tell you honestly whether I'm a good fit.
Get a clear plan
I answer messages myself, usually the same day. I'll explain what I recommend, what the room needs, and exactly what it will cost.
Reserve the date
Once you decide to book, I'll take the date off my calendar. The agreement and deposit are handled by email, and we'll choose the showtime that works best with the rest of the party.