The Melbourne Magic Festival casts its spell across Melbourne from June 26 to July 8, 2023, and promises to take you to the extreme end of visual theatre with over 130 performances of 30 different shows including top international guest magicians from all over Australia! (Including some who have even fooled Penn & Teller!)
The Melbourne Magic Festival is now officially recognized as the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and attracts magicians and magic fans from all over the country and beyond!
Have you ever seen someone levitate right in front of your eyes? Would you like to be hypnotised or have your thoughts read? Are you looking for a family friendly show that will appeal to all ages, or maybe an astonishing demonstrating of pure sleight of hand? How about learning a trick or two yourself?
Be amazed as Melbourne becomes a magical hub in winter for 14 days only with special events, workshops, and live shows for everyone from child-friendly to adults-only.
Bring the family for a big day out of magic shows and workshops and grab lunch in the city, or meet your friends for drinks in our Magic Central Bar followed by a night of hilarious and mind-blowing magic!
The Melbourne Magic Festival was created in 2008 by The Australian Institute of Magic with the two-fold aim of giving Melbournians the opportunity to see world class performances of magic in a theatrical environment, and the chance for performers to create shows that express themselves as artists.
- In 2008 there were 58 performances of 10 different shows seen by 3,200 people.
- In 2009 there were 64 performances of 19 different shows seen by 4,000 people.
- In 2010 there were 101 performances of 30 different shows seen by over 7,500 people. International performers included: Shoot Ogawa (Japan), and John Fung (Hong Kong).
- In 2011 there were 136 performances of 37 different shows seen by over 9,000 people. International performers included: Boris Wild (France), and John Fung (Hong Kong).
- In 2012 there were 109 performances of 26 different shows seen by over 8,500 people. International performers included: Helder Guimares (Portugal).
- In 2013 there were 175 performances of 40 different shows seen by over 9,500 people. International performers included: Wayne & Fran Houchin (USA).
- In 2014 there were 170 performances of 45 different shows seen by over 10,000 people. International performers included: Dan Sperry (USA), Jay Scott Berry (USA), Fritz Alkemade (Holland), and Eric Jones (USA).
- In 2015 we had over 250 performances of 48 different shows seen by over 10,000 people. International performers included: Rob Zabrecky (USA), and Pop Haydn (USA).
- In 2016 we had over 280 performances of 50 different shows seen by over 10,500 people. International performers included: Shoot Ogawa (Japan), Guy Raguin (Noumea), Max Maven (USA), Alex Pandrea (USA), and John Archer (UK).
- In 2017 we had over 290 performances of 55 different shows seen by over 11,000 people. International performers included: Carisa Hendrix (Canada), John Fung (Hong Kong), Dani Da Ortiz (Spain), Joshua Jay (USA), Guy Raguin (Noumea), Mr Tango (Argentina), and E G Lee (Korea).
- In 2018 we had over 300 performances of 65 different shows seen by over 12,000 people. International performers included: Carisa Hendrix (Canada), Woody Aragon (Spain), David Kaye (USA), Juan Esteban Varela (Spain) and Mr Tango (Argentina).
- In 2019 we had over 310 performances of 65 different shows seen by over 17,000 people. International performers included: Lu Chen (Taiwan), John Lovick (USA), Carisa Hendrix (Canada), Dave Kaplan (USA), John Fung (Hong Kong), Reuben Moreland (USA), Simone Turkington (USA), and Dan Harlan (USA).
- In 2020 we had to cancel our “in person” festival due to the Covid19 pandemic so we presented a number of shows and events online. International performers included: Boris Wild (France), Max Maven (USA), Helder Guimares (Portugal), Carisa Hendrix (Canada), Lu Chen (China), Nigel Xu (China) and Shawn Farquhar (Canada).
- In 2021 we had 122 performances of 34 different shows seen by over 8,200 people*.
- In 2022 we had 115 performances of 31 different shows seen by over 14,560 people. International performers included: Chap (Brazil), Jack Vogler (UK), Reuben Moreland (USA), and Simone Turkington (USA).
Amazing for an Arts Festival of any kind, but unbelievable when you realise that The Melbourne Magic Festival is totally unfunded and produced by the performers themselves with no grants, subsidies or government assistance of any kind!
(* = 70 of the 122 shows were Sold Out. Of the 10,200 available tickets, 8,200 were sold.)
Our 2023 Poster was designed by Laura Penwell.
Our Logo was designed by Elise Martinson.
OUR MMF TEAM
Festival Director – Tim Ellis
Administration – Tim Ellis
Visa Co-ordinator – Carolyne Chandler
Book Keeper – Alana Coop
MMF Venue Supervisor– Carla Sanchez
Marketing Team Leader – Tayissa Artomonow
Marketing Team – Nopera Whitley, Lachlan Wilde
Sponsorship Director – Tim Ellis
Artist Liaison – Tim Ellis
Volunteer Co-ordinator – Em Chandler
Junior Championship Co-ordinator – Josh Staley
Media Liaison during MMF – Tim Ellis
APRA Liaison – Peter Nguyen
Lighting – Tom Orchard, Johnathan Chandler
Video –
Webmaster – Tim Ellis, Nopera Whitley
Program Designer – Tim Ellis
Stage Gala Producer – Nicholas J Johnson
Close Up Gala Producer – Tim Ellis
Awards Night Party Producer –
MMF Board of Advisers – Joshua Cowie, Eugene Wong, Dave Cairns, Chris Gregory
OUR VENUE PARTNERS
Arrow on Swanston – Kylee Lowden
The Butterfly Club – Alexander Woollard
The Laneway Theatre – Tim Ellis
The Magic School of Confidence – Anthony DeMasi