Kids Party Entertainment
How Much Do Party Characters Cost? (2026 Prices)
Live prices, not survey guesses: every number on this page is computed from the rates 23 vetted party characters pros publish on Yombu right now — typically $220–$300/hr, exact total always shown before you pay.
- Vetted & insured
- Money held until after the party
- Free cancellation to 7 days
Starts from
$220/hr
Typical range
$220–$300/hr
Median listed rate
$270/hr
Vetted pros listing it
23
Computed live from the rates active entertainers list on Yombu — the figures update whenever a pro updates their prices. Hourly rates carry a per-booking minimum set by each entertainer, and the exact total always shows before you pay.
Party Characters prices by city
The live starting rate in every city with vetted party characters supply — tap a city for its local pros, reviews and full prices.
| City | Starting rate | Vetted pros |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | from $235/hr | 2 |
| Boston, MA | from $250/hr | 2 |
| Chicago, IL | from $245/hr | 2 |
| Dallas, TX | from $220/hr | 2 |
| Houston, TX | from $260/hr | 2 |
| Jacksonville, FL | from $245/hr | 3 |
| Los Angeles, CA | from $270/hr | 2 |
| Miami, FL | from $300/hr | 1 |
| New York, NY | from $275/hr | 1 |
| Phoenix, AZ | from $275/hr | 2 |
| San Diego, CA | from $260/hr | 2 |
| San Francisco, CA | from $270/hr | 2 |
Each city's lowest live listed rate. Not in one of these cities yet? We're expanding — the table grows as local pros join.
What moves the price up or down
Character performers price per visit — the costume, the songs, the games and the storytime are all part of one package. Quotes differ because visits differ: length, travel, a second character. Here's what actually moves the number.
How long you book for
Time is the biggest lever. Most pros price a character visit by the hour with a per-booking minimum, so a two-hour booking simply costs more than one — but it also means nobody waits in line. Match the length to your guest count rather than defaulting to the longest slot.
Travel and location
Every entertainer sets their own travel radius. A party inside their normal area is usually covered by the listed rate; a venue at the far edge of town — or outside it — can add a travel charge. Booking someone genuinely local is the easiest way to keep the quote clean.
Add-ons and extras
A second character, longer story time, or extras like themed games and gift moments add to the base visit price. They can absolutely be worth it — just add them deliberately rather than by default.
Weekends and peak dates
Saturday and Sunday afternoons are prime time, and around holidays the best-reviewed pros book out weeks ahead. Prices on Yombu don't secretly surge — but the cheapest entertainers' calendars fill first, so on a peak date the remaining options may simply start higher. A weekday or morning party often books the same pro for less demand-pressure.
Experience and reviews
A seasoned pro with years of parties and a wall of verified reviews usually lists a higher rate than someone building their book. Both can be great bookings — the difference is polish and predictability, and with real reviews on every profile you can decide what that's worth to you.
Five easy ways to keep the total friendly
- Book the length your guest list needs — an hour covers most smaller parties.
- Pick a pro whose service area comfortably covers your venue, so travel never enters the quote.
- Consider a weekday, morning or early-afternoon slot; peak Saturday slots go first.
- Skip add-ons at booking — you can always keep the party simple and spend on cake instead.
- Book early: the widest choice of rates is available before the local calendar fills.
How it works
From chaos to confirmed in hours
No quote forms that vanish into a void. Real availability, real prices, booked online.
Party Characters pricing — FAQs
How much does a character visit cost in 2026?
Right now, listed rates on Yombu run from about $220 to $300 an hour nationally — these are the real prices our vetted entertainers publish, not survey estimates, so they move as supply does. Your city's own floor price is in the table above, and you always see the exact total before you pay.
Why do prices for a character visit vary so much between entertainers?
Experience, demand and what's included. A pro with years of parties and dozens of verified reviews prices above someone newer; longer bookings, travel to the edge of a service area, and add-ons all move a quote too. On Yombu each entertainer's real rate is on their profile, so you can compare like-for-like instead of guessing from a quote pile.
Are there any hidden fees on top of the listed price?
No. The total you see at checkout is the total you pay — and your money is held safely until after the party, so you're never paying upfront and hoping. If an entertainer charges for travel or add-ons, it's itemized before you book.
Do weekend parties cost more?
Not automatically — Yombu prices don't surge. But weekend afternoons are when the most-booked local pros fill up first, so booking a peak Saturday late can leave only higher-rate options. Booking a few weeks ahead, or choosing a weekday or morning slot, keeps the full range open.
When do I actually pay, and what if plans change?
You pay online when you book — no cash on the day, no deposits by bank transfer. Your payment is held until after the party, and the cancellation policy is shown clearly before you confirm, so there are no surprises if plans shift.
Is it cheaper to book a character visit directly with the entertainer?
Usually not in any way that matters. Quote marketplaces add client service fees on top of quotes, and going fully direct means chasing availability by phone and paying by cash or transfer with no protection. On Yombu you see the entertainer's real listed rate, we confirm genuine availability in about two hours, and your payment is protected until the party's done.