How To Do Street Magic – A Complete Guide

For my YouTube channel I filmed over 100 street magic videos in New York City. They are all real-time performances for people who had no idea I was going to approach them.

I will take you through everything I have learned and all you need to know to do street magic.

What is Street Magic?

Simply put, street magic is performing close up magic on the street. It is basically strolling magic, no different than performing at a party, at school, at work, or at someone’s house.

You walk around approaching different groups of people and perform tricks for them. Since it is on the street, it is called street magic.

Years ago there were “street magicians” who used to perform at places that had street performers – jugglers, dancers, mimes, painters, etc. They would gather a crowd, perform tricks, and then pass around a hat to collect money.

That is no longer what street magic is. There are still a few of these places with street performers, yet the magicians who perform there aren’t considered “street magicians.”

David Blaine Street Magic

Street magic was popularized by David Blaine in 1997 with his first television special which aired on ABC – David Blaine: Street Magic. His casual low-key approach sparked a whole new genre of magic.

David Blaine does not perform on the street and only filmed those specials for television.

Blaine shifted his focus from magic tricks to performing endurance stunts like burying himself alive and freezing himself in a block of ice. Nowadays Blaine performs mostly at corporate events and commands huge fees.

Street Magic Tricks

When performing street magic make sure your tricks are amazing. They should be quick, visual, and mind blowing. Spectators will watch your tricks if they are good. Vary your tricks, don’t only do card tricks.

Since you are on the street approaching strangers try to use your own props. Do not not borrow personal items such as jewelry or money. Spectators might feel uncomfortable.

I like using ordinary objects such as cards, coins, money, rings, ropes, etc. I also like including some mind reading and mentalism. You can perform any trick you like, as long as it is amazing and not too long.

FURTHER READING: Where Do Magicians Learn Their Tricks (A Complete Guide)

The way to gain an arsenal of amazing tricks is through PRACTICE!

I cannot stress this enough – practice, practice, practice! Work on a trick, perform it for friends, family, coworkers, at your local Starbucks, everywhere. Then go back and work on the trick again, make it better.

Repeat this until you can perform the trick perfectly. When performing on the street there are so many variables which I will discuss. You have to be ready with your tricks.

This is not the time to try out new material. Make sure your tricks are mostly angle proof and can be performed surrounded. You cannot control where people stand.

Only carry tricks you have perfected and are ready to perform. If you have a trick in your pocket that you aren’t 100% comfortable with leave it home.

FURTHER READING: How To Learn a Magic Trick – My Complete Process

Where to Perform Street Magic

ANYWHERE! You can perform street magic wherever there are people. This is the great thing about magic on the streets, there are no limitations.

You can perform at a park, at a shopping center, on line, in a waiting room, etc.

It is better to perform street magic during the day because it is less threatening when approaching strangers. If it is dark out find a well lit area to perform in.

How to Present Yourself When Performing Street Magic

A big trend is for magicians on television to have a different image or look. An image is for television, not for you and I who are performing in the real world. Let your magic speak for itself.

Here is what I recommend:

• Dress clean cut & neat (jeans & sneakers are fine)
• Dress age appropriate
• Comb your hair
• Clean your nails and hands
• Carry breath mints and use them!
• DO NOT wear sunglasses (make eye contact)
• Be polite (don’t boss around your spectators)

Don’t say – “Give me your hand” & “Hold this card.”

I don’t like to be bossed around and neither do your spectators. Add please and thank you to your performances.

“Please give me your hand” & “Please hold this card.”

Street Magic – Making the Approach

So you are ready with your tricks, now you have to walk up to strangers. The simple answer is just do it. I believe your opening trick should be something visual.

I always approach people on the streets with a trick. I never ask if they want to see magic, I just go right into it.

My opener is always something visual that shows I am a magician and that they are going to see something incredible.

Once you see a group approach immediately. If you linger and think about it you will come across as creepy. Also you will psych yourself out. Walk slowly and approach with confidence.

Imagine you have a check to give your spectators for 1 million dollars. Would you be scared to walk up to the group and give it to them? Probably not. You are about to give them a terrific experience.

Know that your spectators are going to love the tricks you perform. Remember, you have amazed many other spectators before them with the same tricks (if you haven’t yet, imagine you have).

Make sure to smile and act friendly. Don’t get too close, at least not immediately. Keep your distance until they warm up to you. Stand up straight and make eye contact to engage with your spectators.

Perhaps you are still nervous, maybe even terrified. This is normal, I have been there. The only solution is to push through this. It is not a big deal if you screw up. You can even be honest and tell your spectators that you are super nervous.

Repetition and experience is the only way to get past this nervousness. You have to push through your frightened feelings, step out of your comfort zone, and face your fears head-on. The more you perform, the more comfortable you will get.

Street Magic Rejection is Normal

You will get rejected. There will be many people who do not want to see your magic. They might even be rude. Never react, never say anything negative, never get upset.

Just smile, walk away, and let it roll off. There are plenty of people who will be happy and excited to watch your magic tricks.

Here is a video all about how to handle rejection:

How Long Should You Perform Street Magic for a Group

There is no right or wrong answer here. As a general rule I would say 5 – 10 minutes is a good amount of time. See how it goes. It is important to be aware of how your spectators are feeling.

If they are interested and you have a lot of tricks you can perform longer. If you sense they are enjoying your magic keep going. If you sense they are getting uncomfortable finish your trick and leave as soon as possible.

I personally don’t believe in strict routining. I usually know my opening trick and after that I like to mix it up with different tricks. Take into account I have a huge repertoire of tricks ready to go.

I make sure to vary my tricks. Maybe I will open with a coin trick, then perform a card trick, then a bill trick, then a mind reading trick, maybe a few more card tricks, etc.

If you get into a nice rhythm with the group and they are totally into your magic you can ask to borrow an item. There are so many great tricks with rings, bills, watches, etc. You will sense whether or not it is appropriate.

If you are not sure don’t ask to borrow an object. Doing this could turn them off immediately. If you do ask and sense discomfort move on with your next trick.

When in doubt, do a card trick.

Street Magic – How to Build a Crowd

Sometimes you will approach one or two people and next thing you know a crowd starts to gather. This is a good thing. You need to know how to lead a group.

• Stand up tall
• Smile
• Make eye contact
• Speak loudly and slowly
• Don’t move around a lot
• Do a lot of tricks

Stand up tall, plant your feet, smile, and don’t move around a lot. Hold your ground, stillness is power. Try not to fidget, that is a nervous tick. If you watch the best speakers and performers they are all very still when they are on stage.

Smiling shows you are friendly and non threatening. It is inviting and will make people want to be around you. Same with eye contact. It draws people in and makes them feel comfortable. It is sometimes the only way to engage with somebody to make them feel a part of the magic.

You must speak LOUDLY. If spectators cannot hear you they will lose interest. This is so important. In addition make sure to speak slowly. This shows confidence.

Confidence is the true mark of a leader. A leader is what you are when you are performing for a group. Confidence comes with experience and success. This is why you need to make hundreds of approaches.

Another part of confidence is competence. It is important for you to have a lot of amazing tricks ready to go. If you are nervous about your magic you will definitely be nervous performing.

Repetition is the mother of all learning. Confidence comes with having been in that position before. I have been performing for so long I no longer get nervous.

Street Magic – Hecklers and Wise Guys

What do you do if someone is giving you a hard time?

Be Unreactive

I usually smile and ignore the person. The heckler wants you to react, they want to be the center of attention. You do not want to add fuel to the fire.

If they persist and don’t stop my best recommendation is to finish your trick and walk away. There are plenty of other people to show your magic to. You should never be rude to anyone, even if they are.

Street Magic Benefits

Street magic is a wonderful way to gain performance experience. There is an endless stream of people to show your magic to. After you have practiced and perfected a trick the way to master it is to perform in real time.

Since you are not being paid it doesn’t really matter if you screw up. If you do screw up go home and work on the trick and consider what went wrong.

If your magic is good people will ask for your contact information so they can hire you for an event. Make sure you have a business card, something simple. You can get business cards here – Gotprint.com.

Street magic is one of the best ways to showcase your talent. The number one way to get work as a magician is to be seen. Try to approach people who look like they might potentially hire you.

If you perform at the mall for groups of high school kids they probably will not be hiring you. I prefer approaching affluent looking corporate types.

Performing street magic is also a great way to boost your confidence. This is important in life. If you get good at performing street magic I guarantee this skill set will serve you well throughout your life.

Can You Make Money Performing Street Magic?

There is no money in performing street magic. Magicians you see on tv do not make any money performing street magic. They make money being on national television for the special they filmed which leads to making money.

You may get tipped. That is ok, just never ask for tips, it is classless. Tell spectators if they like your magic they should consider having you at their next event, and give them your business card.

How to Record Street Magic

There are two components – video and audio. I have tried different cameras, different microphones, and every setup imaginable.

People get scared off when you approach them with a big camera or any sort of equipment.

The best setup is to video with your phone and wear an external microphone. Your phone is too far away to record sound. You want your sound to be clear.

The microphone I use is the Tascam DR-10L. It is a lavaliere microphone that clips onto your shirt. The base goes in your pocket. You can also use an iPhone and headset as an external microphone.

What you are doing is recording your audio and video separately, and then syncing them up afterward.

Btw, I edit videos in Capcut.

If you want to use a camera, the one I used for years is the Canon G7X. It is an amazing camera. It is small and easy to use and the video quality is incredible. Keep it on auto and just press record.

You can have a friend hold your phone or camera and record you. It is pretty easy to do.

Conclusion

Enthusiasm and positivity is contagious. However you feel is how your spectators feel. Approach people in a friendly way, they will like you more and be more receptive to your magic.

Performing magic is a skillset. Practice, practice, practice! You may be terrible right now. Keep at it. The more you work on your tricks and perform, the more you will improve, and the quicker you will see progress. Good luck!