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Hire Close Up Magician in Manchester

Amaze your guests with one of one of our professional Manchester-based, close-up magicians. Close-up magicians will mingle among your guests, socialise, break the ice, and create a fun party atmosphere at your event. Prices start from just £155/event.Read more

Best Close Up Magicians in Manchester

Bring a touch of real magic to your next Manchester event with our curated selection of the best Close Up Magicians for hire! We have 95 incredibly talented close up magicians in Manchester, perfect for captivating guests at corporate functions at The Midland Hotel, private parties, or intimate wedding receptions at Victoria Warehouse. From stunning card tricks to mind-bending illusions performed right before your eyes, you'll find the perfect act to amaze everyone. Dive in and discover your favourite!

  • Every close up magician on this list has been meticulously vetted by our team, ensuring top-tier talent, a strong reputation, and excellent client feedback.
  • The average hire price for a close up magician in Manchester is £482 per event, which can vary based on the duration of their performance and the complexity of the show.
  • Our talented Manchester-based close up magicians have collectively performed at over 1,013 events, earning 372 verified client reviews with an outstanding average rating of 4.97* out of 5*.

Memorable Magic Moments!
5.0(3 reviews)
• 3 bookings

Memorable Magic Moments!

An incredible close up magic experience guaranteed to make lasting memories. Your guests won't be able to stop talking about it!

from £300 / event

Why event planners love Poptop

Reviews for Best Close Up Magicians in Manchester

Read verified reviews from real clients, who booked with Poptop in Manchester

B
Beca Erazo21 Jul 2025
Ifty was brilliant! Lots of excited and shocked faces. Used it for my baby shower / 32nd birthday and it was a big highlight! Thanks Ifty!
A
Alice Cobon24 Jun 2024
I would recommend Ross for any party, he was professional and friendly. He joined us for a wedding anniversary drinks party with a mixture of ages, he was wonderful at entertaining everyone. All the guests were very impressed with his tricks and illusions. He was amazingly good at getting around the crowd with no fuss. His communication was brilliant and reliable. I would not hesitate to recommend Ross for your party.
J
Jane Gowans17 Dec 2023
Peter was awesome! Our guests absolutely loved him and so did we….although I think our 4yr old’s mind will be blown forever 😂. He was so friendly, so warm, funny and great at what he does. I’d recommend him to anyone.
N
natasha glew22 Aug 2022
A fantastic service, the adults and the few children we had loved him. Very professional and friendly i would highly reccomend booking him.
R
Richard Rennie28 Jun 2019
Jim was a magnificent magician and his tricks were very entertaining for everyone! Feedback from all guests was, without exception, fantastic and long after Jim left, we were still speaking about the tricks and how he did them. I’d be very happy to recommend and would use Jim again without question.
T
Tamar Donnelly8 Dec 2018
Leigh was a fantastic addition to our Xmas party. He had a great sense of humour and kept us all entertained. I would definitely recommend. Thank you again!

We delivered next level parties for exceptional companies

We also did more than 40,000 birthday parties. Probably, including your neighbour’s recent big bash.

Poptop Event Management/
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Close Up Magicians/
Close Up Magicians in Manchester/
Close Up Magicians in Manchester

Close Up Magicians in cities of Greater Manchester

Stockport(178)

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London(204)
Bristol(168)
Liverpool(155)
Edinburgh(99)

Hire a Close-Up Magician in Manchester: The Insider’s Guide

Looking for entertainment that actually gets people talking to each other, not just at each other? In Manchester, close-up magic is the perfect ice-breaker for lively rooms, loud spaces and mixed crowds. We’ve booked hundreds of acts for meetups, agency dos, city-centre weddings and birthday nights, so we know what works on Deansgate, in the Northern Quarter and along the canals. This guide walks you through styles, pricing, run-of-show ideas and how to book with total confidence.

What “close-up” really means in a Manchester setting

Close-up magic is performed inches from your guests. Cards, coins, phones, minds. No stage, no spotlight, no awkward waiting for the show to start. In Manchester it plays brilliantly because venues are energetic and often packed, from creative studios near Ancoats to lounges off Deansgate. A good magician reads the room, drops into groups with upbeat patter, and moves on before chats go stale. Think street-magic energy, delivered with smart timing, friendly humour and rock-solid sleight of hand.

Where close-up shines in the city

Manchester is a city of distinct pockets, each with its own tempo. Here’s how we place magicians so they land well.

  • Northern Quarter bars: buzzy, artsy, lots of standing groups. We favour fast, visual pieces and quick resets so the performer can cover the room.
  • Deansgate lounges: polished crowds, music at a sensible level. Ideal for structured micro-sets that finish on a photogenic moment.
  • Boutique hotels: weddings, private floors, terrace spaces. Table magic between courses, then walkaround during coffee and cocktails.
  • Canal-side venues: guests like to drift in and out. Short repeatable hits keep momentum without interrupting the flow.

Events that get the best results

  • Tech meetups: people may not know each other. Magic gives an instant shared experience and smooths networking without awkward intros.
  • Agency parties: high energy and a little cheeky. Use punchy, visual effects with playful patter, nothing that derails conversation.
  • City-centre weddings: table-to-table sets between courses, then strolling during room turnarounds and photos.
  • Media wrap parties: time-poor, noisy, fast turnover. We book magicians who are camera-friendly and used to working alongside DJs.
  • Birthday nights: intimate groups that want attention to the guest of honour, plus moments for the phone gallery.

What a performance flow looks like

A typical booking runs 2 hours for 80 to 120 guests. Your magician will arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, check lighting, noise and layout, then circulate in short bursts.

Diverse Close-Up Magic Experience with Magic Mike
4.97(35 reviews)
• 41 bookings

Diverse Close-Up Magic Experience with Magic Mike

With myself you are getting a seasoned professional that performs 150 events each year I would love to be part of yours, your special day/evening/event deserves the finest! ...Magic Mike!

from £250 / event
Magician with an Astonishingly Diverse Repertoire of Magical Expertise
5.0(6 reviews)
• 4 bookings

Magician with an Astonishingly Diverse Repertoire of Magical Expertise

Magic is a unique way to treat your guests and make your day one to remember. David does this to a very high standard and is always engaging, original, and professional.

from £450 / event
Simply Magic with David Owen
5.0(4 reviews)
• 1 booking

Simply Magic with David Owen

I aim to have all my spectators/guests amazed, baffled and entertained. I also make sure that they have fun, which, in my opinion, is key to a successful event, whatever it may be.

from £300 / event
Magical Craig Close Up Magician
4.78(18 reviews)
• 15 bookings

Magical Craig Close Up Magician

Your guests will never forget the experience and the wonder of magic I will provide! With 20 years of experience, you can feel confident that your guest will be speechless.

from £150 / event
Ian Edgar Adds Wow Factor Plus Lots of Fun & Laughter
POPTOP CHOICE 😎
5.0(28 reviews)
• 86 bookings

Ian Edgar Adds Wow Factor Plus Lots of Fun & Laughter

Let Ian help make your event lots of fun and one to remember for all your guests! Add the wow factor with fun, laughter, and amazing magic!

from £250 / event
Brilliant Magician & Pickpocket Matt Windsor
5.0(11 reviews)
• 3 bookings

Brilliant Magician & Pickpocket Matt Windsor

Exceptional sleight of hand magic, world-class pickpocketing - I guarantee you to get everyone laughing as I do it. The entertainment of your guests is in good hands!

from £7 / event
Unique Blend of Sleight of Hand Close-Up Magic & Audience Interaction
🎉 New to Poptop

Unique Blend of Sleight of Hand Close-Up Magic & Audience Interaction

ACMAGIC provides world-class, bespoke Corporate, Wedding, and Special Occasion Magic, designed to amaze and delight your guests.

from £300 / event
Impossible Close-Up Magic for Weddings, Corporate Events & Birthdays
5.0(5 reviews)
• 1 booking

Impossible Close-Up Magic for Weddings, Corporate Events & Birthdays

If you'd like to bring unforgettable moments of magic, laughter, and fun to your next event, book Joe Brown Magic for close-up magic like you've never seen before.

from £225 / event
Robbie Danson’s Mind-Blowing Close Up Magic
5.0(29 reviews)
• 14 bookings

Robbie Danson’s Mind-Blowing Close Up Magic

Your event will be remembered and talked about for a long time to come, once everyone has witnessed some of Robbie Danson’s mind-blowing close up magic.

from £225 / event
Magik Ash - Amazing Close-Up Magician with Some Crazy Personality
5.0(6 reviews)
• 21 bookings

Magik Ash - Amazing Close-Up Magician with Some Crazy Personality

Ash can dazzle guests with incredible sleight of hand, making signed playing Cards appear to impossible locations with fantastic one-lined jokes that will leave anyone cries with laughter!

from £200 / event
Marco's Close Up Magic
No reviews yet • 1 booking

Marco's Close Up Magic

A stunning, professional magic show inspired by great magicians like David Copperfield and Jorge Blass. I aim to amaze my audiences with the power of magic.

from £300 / event
Fantastically Funny & Talented Magician Peter Dean
4.94(18 reviews)
• 24 bookings

Fantastically Funny & Talented Magician Peter Dean

One thing’s for certain if you choose Peter for your party once you will certainly choose him again! He's a fantastically talented magician who will have you aching with laughter.

from £175 / event
Close-Up Magic As Seen On BBC, ITV and Channel 4 by Scoop Magic
POPTOP CHOICE 😎
4.98(64 reviews)
• 92 bookings

Close-Up Magic As Seen On BBC, ITV and Channel 4 by Scoop Magic

The type of magic people usually see on TV done right in front of them. An unbelievable experience that your guests will still be talking about it days, months or even years later!

from £495 / event
Bring the Magic to Your Next Event - Magic by Martin
🎉 New to Poptop

Bring the Magic to Your Next Event - Magic by Martin

🎩 Martin the Magician – Close-Up Magic Extraordinaire ✨ Weddings | Parties | Special Occasions | Corporate Events!

from £195 / event
Rick Naylor - Specialist in Close-up Magic
5.0(2 reviews)
• 8 bookings

Rick Naylor - Specialist in Close-up Magic

As a close-up magician, who specialises in performing at events and functions, I have a unique style of entertainment that always brings a smile to people’s faces :)

from £320 / event
Original Humour & Magic by Award-Winning Magic Mike
5.0(10 reviews)
• 18 bookings

Original Humour & Magic by Award-Winning Magic Mike

Guaranteed laughs all the way. Whether your event is a wedding, birthday, corporate function, or just having friends around, Mike's act is adaptable to all situations!

from £150 / event
Bending Metal Fork, Ring Manipulation And More with Magician Stephen
4.95(38 reviews)
• 45 bookings

Bending Metal Fork, Ring Manipulation And More with Magician Stephen

I have been performing professionally for over twenty years at birthday parties, christenings, weddings, festivals, schools, libraries, and cruise ships.

from £185 / event
The Oldest and Most Secretive Art Forms of Magic by Dom Marlo
The Oldest and Most Secretive Art Forms of Magic by Dom Marlo
The Oldest and Most Secretive Art Forms of Magic by Dom Marlo
The Oldest and Most Secretive Art Forms of Magic by Dom Marlo

Close Up Magicians spotlight 🌟

The Oldest and Most Secretive Art Forms of Magic by Dom Marlo

5.0(6 reviews)
• 21 bookings

Using a combination of misdirection, sleight of hand, and mentalism Dom Marlo creates a powerful yet intimate experience never to be forgotten. It's not about leaving people tricked or fooled - though some people love that feeling - it's about using one of the oldest and most secretive art forms to create a unique, intimate encounter they'll never forget.

About supplier

Dom is from and based in Manchester, UK, but travels around the country as the featured entertainment at private parties, corporate events & weddings. Specializing in the deceptive practice of card magic Dom has spent thousands of hours and met thousands of people whilst refining his craft.

from £300 / event

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Glasgow
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  • Mix and mingle on arrival, greeting early guests with quick visual pieces.
  • Table magic between courses, 6 to 8 minutes per table works nicely.
  • A finale moment for the VIP couple or birthday guest. Signed card in impossible location, borrowed object reveal, that sort of thing.
  • Optional encore around the bar for late-stayers.

For larger headcounts or multi-room venues, we add a second magician so everyone gets a moment. Two pros for 90 minutes often beats one for 3 hours in a spread-out space.

How much you should budget in Manchester

Expect most close-up magicians to quote between £350 to £700 for city-centre events. Position, date and duration affect where you’ll land.

  • Weeknight tech meetups, 60 to 90 minutes: from £350 to £450.
  • Friday and Saturday weddings, 2 hours split across reception and tables: £450 to £650.
  • Premium or peak dates, bespoke routines or extended coverage: up to £700.

Rates reflect experience, demand, travel and what’s included. With us you see instant, all-inclusive pricing, so there’s no waiting around for quotes or worrying about hidden extras. That speed helps you lock the act and move on to the next task.

How to choose the right style

Manchester crowds are warm, quick and not shy. You want a performer who feels like a charismatic guest, not a circus ringmaster.

  • Street-style visual magic for standing rooms and bars.
  • Elegant, precise card work for smarter lounges and hotel dinners.
  • Minimal props for tight spaces, quick resets for busy rooms.
  • Clean comedy that’s upbeat, never uncomfortable, suitable for mixed ages.

When we curate options, we look at audience management as much as technique. Handling a lively table with charm is a skill in itself.

What to look for in a close-up magician

  • Strong walkaround repertoire: varied, quick, not angle-sensitive.
  • Crisp patter: friendly, confident, easy to hear over background music.
  • Professional presentation: dress code aligned to your event.
  • Insurance and, if needed, DBS for family-heavy parties.
  • A simple setup: ideally pocket-based so they can move fluidly through a crowded room.

Tell us about your guests. If you’ve got international attendees, we’ll prioritise visual pieces and performers who communicate well without long stories. If it’s a wedding, we’ll match someone comfortable working table plans and liaising with venue staff.

Run-of-show suggestions for your event type

  • Tech meetup, 18:00 to 20:30: greet arrivals with short visual hits, return during the break with 2 or 3 signature pieces, finish with a small crowd moment near the bar.
  • Agency party, 19:00 to 21:00: rotate through groups in 6 or 7 minute cycles, keep sets sharp, build buzz before the playlist peaks.
  • City-centre wedding, reception and dinner: one hour at drinks while photos happen, a second hour between courses, and a showpiece for the couple.
  • Media wrap, 20:00 to late: plan a roaming set that survives loud sound, with photogenic finales for the social team.
  • Birthday night, flexible timing: give the guest of honour two killer moments spaced an hour apart so all friends get a shot at the magic.

Practical tips that elevate the experience

  • Position the act near natural bottlenecks so they can catch fresh groups.
  • Keep music near conversational level in one zone for easy performances.
  • If tables are tight, ask the venue to clear a little elbow room at two corners.
  • Add a short note on the day-of schedule so your magician can time sets around speeches and plating.
  • Tell us about any shy guests or special requests. We’ll brief the performer to be extra gentle or to build in a surprise reveal.

Accessibility and inclusion

Close-up magic should be for everyone. If any guests use British Sign Language, prefer not to be touched, or have sensory considerations, we’ll pair you with a magician who adapts. Many effects can be performed fully visually, seated, or with gentle audience participation.

Why book through us

We’re here to make planning easy, fast and safe. That’s more than a slogan. It’s how we operate day to day in Manchester and across the UK.

  • Enjoy a truly friendly attitude: we choose magicians who create a warm, engaging atmosphere and treat your guests like friends.
  • Plan your party in minutes, not days: you get instant, all-inclusive pricing and quick replies, so decisions take minutes, not a week of back-and-forth.
  • Get an event that is uniquely yours: performers adapt to your crowd, from table-to-table sets between courses to high-energy walkaround for a buzzing bar.
  • Relax and plan without the anxiety: we keep communication clear, share updates and timings, and make sure you always know what’s happening next.
  • Find what you need effortlessly: enter date, guest count and postcode, and see a tailored list of available magicians ready for Manchester venues.
  • Discover everything in one convenient place: entertainment, catering and more live in one marketplace, so you can build the whole night without juggling tabs.
  • Host a party that will be remembered: we specialise in crowd-pleasing experiences that feel a cut above the usual party fare.
  • Book with confidence and complete security: suppliers are vetted, we stand behind every booking, and if anything goes sideways we source a suitable alternative or refund.

Sample enquiry that gets you a perfect match

If you message us with date, venue area, estimated headcount, event type and vibe, we’ll reply with live availability and instant prices. For example: Friday in a Northern Quarter bar, 90 guests, agency summer party, looking for street-magic energy and quick visual sets between 19:00 and 21:00. That’s enough for us to shortlist great options and hold them while you decide.

A quick note on etiquette and tone

Close-up magic relies on rapport. We’ll match a magician whose personality fits your crowd, whether that’s dry and witty for media teams or warm and family-friendly for weddings. We steer clear of anything that makes guests uncomfortable. No pick-on humour, no awkward pressure, just inclusive fun and smart surprises.

Final pointers to maximise value

  • Schedule the act for the natural lulls: arrivals, room turns, coffee, or while photos happen.
  • Keep sets compact and frequent rather than long and rare. Momentum matters.
  • Give the performer the VIP names in advance so they can personalise a reveal.
  • If you’re using a photographer, sync a 10 minute window to capture a big reaction.

Ready to book your Manchester close-up magician?

Tell us your date, guest count and postcode and we’ll line up available magicians with instant, all-in pricing. We’ll help you pick the right style for your venue, brief the performer, and keep you updated so there are no surprises, apart from the magical ones. Let’s make your night the one people talk about on the tram the next morning.