Introduction
Booking the right Entertainer in London can make or break a kids’ party, wedding reception, corporate event, product launch, or seasonal celebration. London has an enormous choice of performers and booking agencies—so the challenge is narrowing the options to providers that look reliable, responsive, and genuinely established.
In this guide, you’ll learn what Entertainer services typically include, what they cost in London, and how to compare options quickly without getting lost in sales pages.
Because this is a “verified & reviewed” style roundup, the list below only includes providers with clear public-facing business websites and service descriptions. Where ratings, years in business, or review summaries aren’t confidently verifiable from public sources, they’re marked as Not publicly stated rather than guessed.
About Entertainer
An Entertainer is a professional performer (or a team/agency representing performers) hired to create a specific audience experience—fun, surprise, atmosphere, engagement, or a “wow” moment. In London, entertainment bookings commonly include children’s party entertainers, magicians, DJs, live bands, roaming performers, and themed character acts.
You typically need an Entertainer when:
- You want structured activities (especially for children) so hosts can relax.
- You need to fill awkward gaps (drinks reception, room turnarounds, networking).
- You want a headline moment (first dance band, reveal act, stage show).
- You’re producing a branded event and need crowd management plus performance.
Average cost in London (typical ranges):
- Children’s party entertainers (1–2 hours): ~£150–£400 (Varies / depends)
- Magicians / close-up performers: ~£250–£800 (Varies / depends)
- DJs: ~£300–£1,200 (Varies / depends)
- Live bands: ~£900–£3,500+ (Varies / depends)
- Specialty acts (aerial, fire, large-scale staging): £1,000+ (Varies / depends)
Licensing / certifications (what’s actually relevant in London):
- There isn’t a single universal “entertainer license” for private bookings.
- Venues typically handle music licensing (e.g., PRS/PPL) for public performance, but responsibilities can vary by venue and event type.
- For children’s entertainment, DBS checks may be requested by clients or venues (especially schools), and many performers carry public liability insurance.
Key takeaways
- An Entertainer can be an individual performer or an agency matching you to acts.
- Prices in London vary widely by date, duration, travel, equipment, and demand.
- Ask early about insurance, DBS (if relevant), setup needs, and cancellation terms.
How We Selected the Best Entertainer in London
We used a practical, buyer-focused set of criteria designed for London event planning:
- Years of experience (when publicly stated)
- Verified customer review signals (publicly available only, when known)
- Service range (breadth of acts and event types supported)
- Pricing transparency (clear quotes, packages, or at least clear “how pricing works”)
- Local reputation (brand recognition, London targeting, and professional presentation)
Only publicly available information is used where confidently known. If a key detail (rating, review themes, years operating) couldn’t be verified from reliable public sources, it’s shown as Not publicly stated rather than assumed.
About London
London is one of Europe’s busiest event markets, with year-round demand across corporate venues, hotels, private members’ clubs, community halls, and at-home celebrations. The city’s density also means entertainers often deal with strict load-in times, congestion zones, parking limitations, and sound restrictions—so professionalism and planning matter.
Demand is particularly strong for:
- Kids’ birthdays (weekends, school holidays)
- Weddings (spring to autumn peak dates)
- Corporate events (Q4 parties, brand activations, conferences)
- Seasonal bookings (Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s)
Commonly served areas and neighborhoods include Westminster, Camden, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Hackney, Greenwich, Southwark, Wandsworth, and greater London. Exact coverage for each provider varies / depends on the act, date, and logistics.
Top 5 Best Entertainer in London
#1 — Last Minute Musicians
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Live bands, wedding bands, function bands, musicians, singers, DJs (availability varies / depends)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (often mid-to-premium depending on lineup and duration)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.lastminutemusicians.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Live music bookings, weddings, corporate events, comparing multiple music options quickly
#2 — Alive Network
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Entertainment booking across categories (e.g., bands, DJs, performers, event entertainment—specific options vary / depends)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (broad marketplace pricing)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.alivenetwork.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Clients who want a wide shortlist and structured booking support for weddings and corporate events
#3 — Add to Event
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Event entertainment booking (acts and packages vary / depends), including options for private and corporate events
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.addtoevent.co.uk/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Event planners who need multiple entertainment types sourced through one provider
#4 — Enchanted Entertainment
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Children’s party entertainers and themed character entertainment (e.g., princess-style parties and kids’ event entertainment—exact offerings vary / depends)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (often packaged by party length, number of entertainers, and add-ons)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.enchantedentertainment.co.uk/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Family-friendly kids’ parties, themed events, and parents wanting structured entertainment
#5 — BookAnEntertainer
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Entertainment booking platform with categories that can include kids’ entertainers, magicians, musicians, and party acts (varies / depends)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (often depends on entertainer, timing, and location)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.bookanentertainer.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Comparing multiple entertainer types and availability in one place
Comparison Table
| Professional | Rating | Experience | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last Minute Musicians | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Live bands and music-led events |
| Alive Network | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Broad entertainment booking with support |
| Add to Event | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Event planners sourcing varied acts |
| Enchanted Entertainment | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Kids’ parties and themed family events |
| BookAnEntertainer | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Comparing entertainer categories quickly |
Cost of Hiring a Entertainer in London
In London, Entertainer pricing is driven less by a single “hourly rate” and more by event format and logistics. A children’s party entertainer might quote a simple package for 60–120 minutes, while a live band quote may include equipment, number of performers, setup time, and travel.
Average price range (London):
- Kids’ entertainers: ~£150–£400 for a typical party booking (Varies / depends)
- Close-up magician: ~£250–£800 (Varies / depends)
- DJ: ~£300–£1,200 (Varies / depends)
- Live band: ~£900–£3,500+ (Varies / depends)
- Specialty acts: £1,000+ (Varies / depends)
Emergency pricing (if applicable):
For last-minute bookings (same week or within 24–72 hours), you may see higher pricing due to short notice, limited availability, and rush logistics. Some agencies specialize in fast matching, but pricing still varies / depends on who’s available.
What affects cost most
- Date and time (weekends, December, and peak wedding season cost more)
- Duration (performance time plus setup/pack-down)
- Location logistics (congestion, parking, stairs, lift access, loading bays)
- Equipment needs (PA system, lighting, staging, power requirements)
- Team size (solo performer vs duo vs full band / multiple characters)
- Special requests (custom songs, themed scripts, branded interactions)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Entertainer cost in London?
Most London bookings fall between £150 and £3,500+ depending on the type of act. Kids’ entertainers are often at the lower end, while live bands and specialty acts tend to cost more.
How to choose the best Entertainer in London?
Start with your event type and audience, then shortlist entertainers who clearly offer that format. Ask about what’s included, setup needs, insurance, and backup plans if someone is ill.
Are licenses required in London?
There’s no universal entertainer license for private events. Music licensing for venues is usually handled by the venue, but responsibilities can vary—confirm with your venue and entertainer.
Should I book an individual Entertainer or an agency?
Individuals can be ideal when you know exactly what you want and you’ve seen their work. Agencies are useful when you want multiple options, fast availability checks, and help matching the act to your venue and budget.
Who offers 24/7 service in London?
For entertainment bookings, true 24/7 service is not publicly stated for most providers. Some booking platforms and agencies respond quickly online, but performance availability still depends on schedules and event timing.
How far in advance should I book a Entertainer in London?
For peak dates (weekends, summer weddings, December parties), book as early as possible—often months ahead. For weekday or off-peak events you may find availability closer to the date, but choices can be limited.
What information should I give when requesting a quote?
Send the date, start/end times, event address/postcode, indoor/outdoor details, audience size, age range (for kids’ parties), and any venue restrictions (sound limiters, stairs, parking).
Do entertainers in London provide their own equipment?
Many do, but it depends on the act. DJs and bands may bring PA and lighting, while some venues require using in-house systems—confirm who supplies what to avoid last-minute surprises.
Is public liability insurance necessary?
Often it’s not legally required for private parties, but many venues ask for it. If you’re booking a corporate event, school event, or venue-led function, insurance is commonly expected.
Can I get a refund if my event is cancelled?
Cancellation terms vary by provider and date. Ask for written terms before paying a deposit, including what happens with postponements, venue closures, or illness.
Final Recommendation
If you want live music (weddings, corporate parties, receptions), start with Last Minute Musicians for band-led entertainment and Alive Network if you want broader act options and booking support.
For event planners who need multiple entertainment types sourced through one point of contact, Add to Event is a practical shortlist candidate (exact acts and pricing depend on your brief).
For kids’ parties and family events, Enchanted Entertainment is the most directly aligned with themed children’s entertainment. If you’d rather compare multiple entertainer categories in one place, BookAnEntertainer is a sensible starting point.
When you’re deciding, prioritize: clear packages or quote structure, responsiveness, suitability for your venue, and documented professionalism (insurance/DBS where relevant).
Get Your Business Listed
If you’re a Entertainer in London and want your details added or updated in this guide, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/.