Prom is the biggest night of the year for most high school students, and having some amazing prom activities and music is essential to throwing an incredible event. Think outside the box this year when it comes to prom entertainment ideas, and book something that’s on theme, on budget, and unforgettable!
Note: The prices provided here are nationwide averages based only on GigSalad’s booking data. Your personal event quote may differ based on the vendor’s experience, travel distance, performance length, and other factors.
Play That Funky Music
Prom isn’t prom unless there’s dancing! Keep everyone on their feet and grooving to the beat of a live band or DJ all night long. Be sure to discuss any song requests, attire choices, and even prom themes ahead of time so your musicians can do their best to accommodate your event.
🎉 Party band: If you’re looking for a band with multiple musicians and singers, this is for you. They tend to play upbeat, crowd-pleasing tunes and are best for bigger stages and audiences.
Average pricing: $500-$700 per hour
🎸 Cover band: These groups have a large setlist of well-loved cover songs, sometimes even spanning multiple genres like rock, pop, and country.
Average pricing: $300-$500 per hour
🎤 Tribute band: A tribute band is perfect for decade-themed proms with their elaborate costumes and setlists that focus on cover songs of a specific band or genre of music.
Average pricing: $900-$1100 per hour
🎷 Jazz band: These groups usually offer both upbeat jazz tunes for dancing and more low-key choices to warm up the crowd at the start of the evening.
Average pricing: $300-$500 per hour
🎺 Swing band: Get the dance floor jumpin’, jivin’, and wailin’! For sophisticated and classy prom themes, a swing band is an excellent option.
Average pricing: $650-$850 per hour
🎧 Prom DJ: The classic choice that can play your students’ favorite hits from today — and your teachers’ favorites from yesteryear.
Average pricing: $150-$250 per hour
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
No one said prom entertainment ideas had to be limited to playing music! Everything is better when you add a little humor. Most comedians are adept at tailoring their material to the audience, so share details about your school’s rivals, memorable moments, and quirks to make the show more personal.
😂 Stand-up comedian: Imagine your favorite Comedy Central special, live on your prom stage. Before hiring a comedian, watch their videos to make sure they have clean material appropriate for teenagers.
Average pricing: $300-$500 per hour
🎩 Comedy magician: A mixture of laughter and illusions is a great way to captivate your students who need a break from all the dancing.
Average pricing: $350-$500 per hour
🎭 Comedy improv show: Perfect for an outspoken and fun-loving group of students who wouldn’t be shy about participating (or at least tossing out suggestions) for this interactive comedy choice.
Average pricing: $700-$900 per hour
👠 Drag queen: Take your prom night entertainment from bland to fabulous! Drag queens can help emcee, offer a fun intermission show between music sets, sing a parody of your school song, and more.
Average pricing: $150-$250 per hour
🎤 Emcee: Can’t find a teacher or principal to take on the emcee duties? Let a pro help with crowning prom king and queen, making announcements, and more with their charming and cheeky personalities.
Average pricing: $125-$225 per hour
I Wanna Dance with Somebody
There’s a dancer for almost any prom theme idea, whether you’re hosting Sunset in Maui, Arabian Nights, or Footloose. Spice up the evening with a mesmerizing performance from a solo dancer, or up the energy with a whole troupe!
🌺 Hula dancers: Book a single dancer to add some authentic ambiance to island-themed proms, or even find an entire show complete with fire spinning (if space, venue, and budget allow).
Average pricing: $175 per ½ hour (solo), $500-$1,000 per ½ hour (full show)
👯♀️ Dance troupe: These professional dancers perform swing dancing, jazz dancing, ballroom dancing, and more. They usually offer a variety of outfits and routines to choose from to fit any prom theme.
Average pricing: $500-$700 per ½ hour
👩 Belly dancer: With beautiful costumes and creative props like swords, fans, and finger cymbals, a belly dancer is a perfect complement to Middle Eastern themes.
Average pricing: $250-$350 per ½ hour
💃 Samba dancers: Add some Brazilian flair to your prom entertainment lineup! Expect lots of energy and larger-than-life costumes with everything from giant headpieces to wings.
Average pricing: $200-$350 per ½ hour
🤸♂️ Break dancers: Take things old school with a hip-hop dance group that defies gravity! Just clear the floor and get ready to be wowed. This is especially fitting for 90s-themed proms.
Average pricing: $300-$500 per ½ hour
Do You Believe in Magic
Add some magic and mystery to the atmosphere with some interactive and mystifying prom activities! You can book a full stage show if you want the performance to be the focus of the evening or set up the entertainer in their own space to let prom-goers come to them.
🎩 Magician: These performers generally have a stage show that lasts 30 minutes to an hour and includes all sorts of mind-bending illusions while audiences watch from afar.
Average pricing: $250-$450 per hour
🤵 Strolling magician: For more interactive prom entertainment, a strolling magician is perfect. They’ll make their way through the crowd, performing up-close tricks that will leave everyone in disbelief!
Average pricing: $250-$450 per hour
😵💫 Hypnotist: If your upperclassmen aren’t scared to look silly, a hypnotist show would be a fun prom activity that will have everyone in stitches.
Average pricing: $900-$1000 per hour
🔮 Psychic entertainment: Blow your students’ minds with a performer who seemingly knows all! Some have stage shows, while others offer a one-on-one experience, such as tarot cards or lipstick readings.
Average pricing: $150-$200 per hour
Blank Space
When exploring entertainment ideas for prom, you don’t always have to go big. Adding some ambient performers to fill your prom space can be just as exciting and effective! These professionals aren’t center-stage, but they do offer something special as they adorn the entrance or the sidelines of the evening.
🗽 Human statue: Talk about a prom decorations upgrade! With slow and subtle movements, these performers add elegance and curiosity to your prom entertainment lineup.
Average pricing: $300-$400 per hour
🎪 Aerialist: These impressive entertainers will perform acts of flexibility and balance for your guests! Have a secure place for them to hang from or discuss other options if one isn’t available in your space.
Average pricing: $600-$800 per hour
🤹♂️ Stilt walker: Take your prom entertainment to new heights with strolling stilt walkers! They can greet students as they enter or simply stroll the crowd in on-theme costumes.
Average pricing: $300-$400 per hour
🦘 Bounce house: Let your high schoolers be kids again with this fun prom activity. If you want to save your updos, dresses, and tuxes — book a party inflatable for your prom after-party instead.
Average pricing: $300-$400 for 4 hours
🧜♀️ Mermaid: For nautical themes, a beautiful mermaid can provide a photo opportunity or interactive experience for your guests. If you have a place for them to swim at your prom venue, even better!
Average pricing: $200-$300 per hour
✨ LED performer: If you want the drama of a fire performance without the flame, an LED performer is a perfect substitute. They can stroll through the crowd with light-up hoops, wands, and fun costumes.
Average pricing: $400-$500 per hour
Take Me Home Tonight
Prom night keepsakes can be more than a dried corsage to press between yearbook pages. Take things up a notch with a more personal party favor combined with a fun prom activity!
🎨 Caricaturist: Most artists can produce about ten drawings per hour, so keep this in mind when you book. Just give them a bit of space with chairs, and your students can leave with a quirky souvenir!
Average pricing: $250-$350 for 2 hours
📷 Photo booth: Prom photos and selfies are fun, but photo booths are better! Students can capture memories and get instant gratification with a printout of their best poses with themed props and signs.
Average pricing: $450-$600 for 3 hours
👤 Silhouette artist: The timeless craft of silhouette art dates back to the 1700s and is a great option for historical-themed proms. Artists create profile portraits using only scissors and black and white paper!
Average pricing: $300-$350 for 2 hours
🖌️ Temporary tattoo artist: Tattoos can be the perfect accessory to an amazing prom outfit! They can choose something to fit the prom theme or have fun getting matching tattoos with their best friends.
Average pricing: $200-$350 for 2 hours
No matter your theme, you can find unique prom activities and live music that fit your budget and venue for a memorable night. And bonus, almost all of these prom entertainment ideas work for other high school dances, like winter formal or homecoming! 🎉
Ready to book some amazing prom entertainment? Find the best musicians, performers, and more on GigSalad.
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.