Planning guide
Corporate event entertainment: what to book and what it costs
Planning an awards night, Christmas party, conference or summer social? Here are the acts UK companies book most, rough guide prices, and when to lock everything in.
On this page
Awards nights and galas
The most produced events of the year. You need a host who can keep a running order moving and music that builds the room between awards.
Professional host or compere
Keeps 20 award categories to time, covers technical hiccups and warms up winners before they reach the stage. The single best spend on an awards night.
Browse professional host or comperesFunction band for the after-party
Two sets after the awards wrap. Pick a band with a broad floor-filling setlist rather than a niche genre.
Browse function band for the after-partysWalkabout magician during drinks
Breaks the ice between departments who've never met. Book for the reception hour, not the meal.
Browse walkabout magician during drinkssStage lighting and LED backdrop
Uplighting in company colours and a lit stage makes a hotel ballroom look like a television set.
Browse stage lighting and led backdropsChristmas parties
The busiest season in the entertainment calendar. The best acts are booked for December Fridays by early autumn.
Party DJ with lighting
The backbone of most office Christmas parties. Ask for a requests policy in writing so the playlist stays workplace-safe.
Browse party dj with lightingsLive band or tribute act
A Motown, disco or 90s tribute keeps mixed ages happy. Check the venue's sound limiter before booking anything loud.
Browse live band or tribute actsPhoto booth or magic mirror
The queue forms the moment it opens. Branded prints double as a keepsake with the company logo on every one.
Browse photo booth or magic mirrorsClose-up magician at tables
Works the tables between courses, a reliable fix for the long gap between mains and dessert.
Browse close-up magician at tablessCasino tables
Fun-money roulette and blackjack with croupiers. Ideal when half the room doesn't dance.
Conferences and away days
Daytime events need energy management more than volume. Book acts that reset attention between sessions.
Keynote or after-lunch speaker
A 30-minute motivational or industry talk after lunch stops the afternoon slump. Brief them on the company, not just the topic.
Browse keynote or after-lunch speakersAcoustic duo for the evening dinner
Background music that lets people network without shouting.
Browse acoustic duo for the evening dinnersDJ for the evening social
A short, punchy set after dinner works better than a five-hour marathon for a midweek crowd.
Browse dj for the evening socialsCaricaturist or digital sketch artist
Branded drawings of delegates get shared on LinkedIn the next morning, free reach for the event hashtag.
Summer parties and team socials
Outdoor events live or die on the weather plan and the power supply.
Acoustic act or roaming band
Unplugged-style roaming musicians move between groups in a garden or terrace, no stage needed.
Browse acoustic act or roaming bandsSteel band or saxophonist
Instant summer atmosphere for a drinks reception. Works brilliantly for arrivals.
Browse steel band or saxophonistsGarden games host
Giant games with someone actually running tournaments keeps competitive colleagues happy for hours.
Evening DJ and dancefloor
Once the sun goes down, a DJ with a small lighting rig turns a marquee into the main event.
Browse evening dj and dancefloorsRough guide prices
Ballpark UK estimates only, most corporate entertainment falls somewhere between £300 and £5,000 depending on the act, date and location. Expect the higher end in London, on Fridays and throughout December. Every act on Veya sets their own fee, so treat these as a starting point for your budget, not a quote.
| Act | Rough estimate | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Close-up magician | £300 to £600 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Acoustic duo or solo musician | £400 to £900 | 2 × 45 min sets |
| Party DJ with lighting | £400 to £900 | 4 to 5 hours |
| Photo booth or magic mirror | £350 to £700 | 3 to 4 hours |
| Professional host or compere | £500 to £1,500 | Full event |
| Function band (4 to 6 piece) | £1,200 to £3,000 | 2 × 60 min sets |
| Tribute act or show band | £1,500 to £5,000 | 2 × 45 min sets |
| Stage lighting and production | £800 to £3,000 | Full event |
When to book
4 to 6 months before
Book December and summer dates early. The best bands, hosts and DJs go first. Confirm the venue's sound limiter and curfew before booking anything loud.
8 weeks before
Lock the running order with every act: arrival, set-up, performance slots, finish. Check public liability insurance and PAT certificates, most corporate venues require both.
2 weeks before
Brief hosts and speakers on company names, pronunciations and anything off limits. Send acts parking, access and loading details.
On the day
Give every act a named contact with a phone number, and allow 60 to 90 minutes of set-up before guests arrive.
Planning a company event?
Browse DJs, bands, magicians, hosts and more, vetted acts are badged and shown first, message them directly and confirm everything with a simple contract, deposits and balances handled securely through Veya.
