Magifest 2020

January 16-18th 2020

Magifest is America's oldest annual magic convention, and now one of the largest. Every January, twenty of the finest headlining magicians descend upon Columbus, Ohio. One thousand magicians gather for unforgettable shows, lectures, and workshops.

Columbus, Ohio, USA

Magifest

Magifest sells out ever year. Registration is $200 and is fully refundable before Friday, November 1, 2019. To secure your place, take two minutes to register here:

Register now

Why People Come to Magifest

There are a few bigger magic conventions. There are magic conventions in warmer climates. But there are two reasons the Magifest is the most acclaimed:

1. Our programming is the most unique. We get cutting edge artists doing their best material.
2. Our lobby scene is the best, hands down. Between events, you'll see and learn things you never thought possible in the jam sessions in our lobby.
3. The larged variety of magic dealers of any American convention. See all dealers

Performers & Speakers

Here are just a few of the performers who will appear at Magifest 2020. We'll be announcing more performers in just a few weeks!

Hector Mancha

Hector Mancha

Spain's Hector Mancha is a FISM stage magic champion, and has one of the most unique and fascinating acts in magic. He will perform this award-winning, show-stopping act to close our Gala Show, but he will ALSO perform a brand new stage act, as well as lecture.

Wolfgang Moser

Wolfgang Moser

More than 100 years ago "Think-a-Drink" debuted in the acts of several elite magicians of their age. The effect was that a mysterious teapot could pour ANY drink called for. Austria's Wolfgang Moser was awarded a FISM prize for his fantastic, poetic version of this classic, and you'll see the act he created around this illusion on our Gala Show.

Mike Pisciotta

Mike Pisciotta

Just awarded Parlor Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts, Mike Pisciotta will be featured in a brand new way at the Magi-Fest. In addition to an all-new lecture, you'll see Mike do bar magic in the evenings! This is his natural habitat as the Magic Castle's only resident magician, and we're bringing his incomparable bar magic right to you!

Avner

Avner the Eccentric

For YEARS we've heard the raves from magic's elite performers: they love Avner, train with Avner, and travel great distances to spend time with him. Part mime, part magic, Avner the Eccentric is a legend and we're honored to have him present a one-man show and lecture.

Olmedini

Olmedini

The New York Times published a story this year that struck us right at the heart: Olmedini, a once-famous magician from Ecuador, was performing more or less anonymously on the New York subways, despite having gone completely blind. We were inspired by the story, and we wanted to welcome this hard-working veteran-magician to our stage for an interview and special performance.

Ryan Plunkett

Ryan Plunkett

One of the resident magicians at the new hot-spot Chicago Magic Lounge, Ryan Plunkett brings his offbeat, extraordinary sleight-of-hand to our stages. You'll see the act Ryan performs at the lounge to thunderous standing ovations, and learn the secrets to his pet close-up routines.

David Williamson

David Williamson

Regarded as both one of the most skillful and hilarious living magicians, David Williamson embodies everything we value in an artist. His original output includes neo-classics like "51 Cards to Pocket," The Striking Vanish, and "Funner Color Stunner." He is an IBM Gold Cups winner, and he has performed on stages all over the world, most recently as the star ringleader in the touring show Circus 1903. Williamson's superb sleight of hand is sometimes overshadowed by his larger-than-life stage persona, but we'll honor David and explore all aspects of his career and creative output.

Dani DaOrtiz

Dani DaOrtiz

Dani DaOrtiz first visited the Magifest nine years ago, and we've never, EVER had four standing ovations in one show. He is, quite simply, the best. There is nobody like Dani DaOrtiz, and nobody slays a room full of magicians like him. We invited him to return to the Magi-Fest this year, but we've asked that he perform an entirely new repertoire of magic, and he has, to our delight, agreed! If you've never seen Dani before, it's an experience you'll never forget. And if you HAVE seen Dani before, we assure you that you've never seen him do the impossible feats he will present at the Magifest.

Ben Hart

Ben Hart

A marquee competitor on Britain's Got Talent, Ben Hart brings us a youthful, contemplative approach to parlor magic. An award-winning veteran of the Edinburgh and Australian Fringe Magic scenes, Ben Hart will perform and lecture for us in his American convention debut.

Ardan James

Ardan James

Back by popular demand! Ardan James is one of the most beloved gala show acts in recent Magi-Fest history. His act's unique combination of magic, mime, and audience interaction is iconic, and we're pleased to welcome him back to our stage for the first time in six years.

Morgan and West

Morgan and West

This British Duo has just completed a wildly successful touring show in their native UK. They perform as time-traveling Victorian magicians, and in addition to their own show, they will present a lecture on how to perform a "code" act with another person. If you're interested in performing with an assistant or partner, even informally, this is your chance to learn the inside secrets, and there may even be a brand new book release for Magi-Fest registrants.

Margaret Steele

Margaret Steele

Ms. Steele will take our stages to tell us the UNBELIEVABLE, true story of how she helped rediscover an unpublished autobiography of her idol, Adelaide Herrmann. We're thrilled that Margaret, a contemporary female magician, will give us her perspective on perhaps the most celebrated female magician in history.

Peter Clifford

Peter Clifford

The UK's Peter Clifford is an experienced actor and director, and he has worked extensively with Derren Brown and David Blaine for their specials and tours. Here, Peter will present his own show, and a lecture filled with practical performing advice. We as magicians focus intensely on material and moves and tricks. Peter's lecture will focus on the overlooked but essential aspects of stagecraft.

Marco Zoppi

Marco Zoppi & Rolanda

This unbelievable act features the production and manipulation of...bubbles. From Italy, Marco has developed his own system and amazing stunts with soap bubbles, and he will be a key feature of our 2020 Gala Show.

Chris Capehart

Chris Capehart

One of the best aspects of the Magi-Fest every single year is the Kids Event. We invite a hundred young students from a local school, and put on a show for them. You, the Magi-Fest registrant, get to sit behind the show and observe Chris Capehart as he astounds the school group. Then, after the kids are dismissed, Chris will discuss his approach to children's magic in a special lecture. Chris Capehart is one of the funniest and best-known children's magicians on the East Coast. He has a dry wit and terrific interaction with the kids.

Joe Posnanski

Joe Posnanski

With an upcoming biography on Harry Houdini, acclaimed writer Joe Posnanski will give us insight into his fascinating new take on Houdini's legacy in the modern era. Posnanski is an Ohio native, and the national writer for Major League Baseball, as well as a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated.

Magifest 2020: Five Reasons to Come

1. The best magic shops: We invite thirty of the finest magic dealers from around the world, and take care that each one is offering unique, different merchandise.
2. The best talent you've never heard of. You can see your old favorites at other magic conventions. Our mission is to bring to the Magifest NEW talent, new acts, or your favorite magicians doing things they've never showcased before.
3. Access to excellence: Our headliners don't just amaze onstage. You get to meet and eat and hang with them, too.
4. Our youth program. If you're a young magician, we have special programming just for you.
5. Extra workshops: For an additional fee, registrants can opt into private workshops, limited in attendance, just after the convention. This is a chance to take lessons from some of the finest magicians on Earth.

• Youth scholarships
• Magifest schedule
• Get in touch

Magic convention

Magifest sells out every year.
This year will be no exception

Register now

Workshops

Continue your Magifest through Sunday 19th January to join us for workshops with Avner the Eccentric and Dani DaOrtiz. Register below:

Dani DaOrtiz (10am - 1.30pm)

Dani DaOrtiz is, without doubt, one of the finest card magicians alive. We're proud to announce he will be conducting a FIRST-EVER workshop of new material he has not shared before. Better still, you'll be part of a filmed project that will introduce this material to the world. The workshop will happen in two parts, with a brief intermission between the two. The first part is called "The Show," and it's a full twenty-minute performance of card magic. All transitions have been thought through, and the construction of the show itself is a perfect balance of visual and mental, and the act contains an opener, middlers, and a spectacular closer. You'll learn not only each of the tricks, but also the WAY Dani constructs his performances, and the qualities he looks for in effects when putting together a show.

The second part will focus on self-working magic. Dani has handpicked several of his favorite effects--things he uses in his shows--that require no difficult moves. The material covered in this section will be of GREAT interest to anyone who entertains with a deck of cards, yet none of it requires difficult moves. No previous skill required.

Space for this workshop is extremely limited, and the cost is $100. This is a chance for an intimate lesson with one of the world's finest living card magicians.

Register for Dani DaOrtiz workshop

Avner the Eccentric (2.30pm - 4pm)

Widely heralded as a master of his craft, Avner integrates mime, movement, and comedy into his magic. He is, quite simply, a living legend. He rarely appears at magic conventions, and we're honored by his presence. We're delighted that Avner has agreed to take a small group on a journey into the craft, with frank discussions on movement onstage, character development, and material selection.

This is an EXTREMELY rare chance to get face time with a master performer and director. This workshop, 2.5 hours, WILL make your show better, and improve your magic.

Register for Avner's workshop

Sign up to the Magifest newsletter to be kept up to date with our latest announcements, including new performers and events!

Renaissance, Columbus Downtown

50 N 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA

Be sure to ask for the Magifest rate when booking a room. It's currently $109 (plus taxes) per night.

How to book a room

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