How much should I budget for party entertainment?

Entertainment typically accounts for 5-15% of a total party budget. For a £2,000 party, that is £100-£300. A DJ costs £250-£500, a photo booth £200-£400, a magician £150-£350 for an hour. Mix free activities (games, playlists) with one or two paid entertainment items.

What are the best free entertainment ideas?

Create a Spotify playlist, organise party games (charades, quiz, musical chairs), set up a DIY photo station with props, have a karaoke session using YouTube, or organise a dance-off competition. Free activities can be just as fun as hired entertainment.

Is hiring a performer worth the cost?

For milestone events (50th birthday, wedding, corporate), a professional performer adds a memorable wow factor. Magicians, comedians, and singers engage guests who might not dance. For casual parties, a good playlist and party games work perfectly well.

What entertainment works for mixed age groups?

Photo booths appeal to all ages. A live singer covers different eras. A quiz with varied topics works for everyone. Avoid entertainment that only suits one age group - a bouncy castle for an adult party or a jazz band at a kids party.

PartyCalcs

Entertainment Budget Calculator — Activities & Music

Budget for entertainment, activities, and music at your event.

Music / DJ Cost

Photo Booth

Games / Activities

Performer / Act

Equipment Hire

Other Entertainment

Number of Guests

Entertainment Budget

How We Calculate This

This calculator totals all entertainment costs and shows the per-guest breakdown.

How it works

Total cost = music + photo booth + games + performer + equipment + other
Per guest cost = total cost / number of guests
Remaining = entertainment budget - total cost

Industry guideline: spend 5-15% of your total party budget on entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.