The best costume characters in Melbourne
Melbourne's weather decides this booking more than anything else. A backyard party in Brunswick can be twenty-eight degrees at noon and raining by three, so almost every experienced character performer here plans for indoors and treats the garden as a bonus. Ask what their wet plan is before you ask anything about the costume.
None of the performers on the list below carries a visible review, which is normal for this trade because parents rarely write one afterwards. So judge on the video, on how the performer answers your questions, and on the checks you sight yourself. We do not check or verify anybody listed here.
Top picks in Melbourne
Top picks are the acts in this category in Melbourne, with premium listings first (no visible client reviews or ratings in this list).
Questions people ask about costume characters in Melbourne
What check should a costume character performer in Melbourne have?
A Victorian Working with Children Check, issued in the name of the person arriving at your door, and you should sight it rather than take anyone's word for it. It matters more in this trade than most, because the performer is unrecognisable in costume and will be surrounded by children. Nobody on this site is screened or verified by us, so the sighting is yours to do, and a school or council booking should hold the card details on file.
How long should a character stay at a party?
Thirty to forty-five minutes at the right moment beats two hours of the character hanging about. Put them on once every guest has arrived and while the cake is still ahead, and the room peaks instead of slowly losing interest. Heat inside the suit is the other reason the good performers keep it short.
Can I book a costume character for an indoor venue in Melbourne?
Yes, and with this city's weather it is usually the smarter call. Community halls, play centres and function rooms across the suburbs take these bookings every weekend, and an indoor space also solves the changing room and the shade in one go. Check the venue's own rules on decorations and confetti at the same time, because some are strict about what leaves a mess.
Can I ask for a specific character from a film or show?
Not by name, and a performer who offers one by brand name should give you pause. Australian performers work with characters described in general terms, which is a legal matter rather than the performer being coy. Describe what your child likes, let them tell you what they have, and ask for a recent photo of that costume taken at a real party in ordinary daylight.
Booking tips
Ask for the Working with Children Check yourself
In Victoria it is a card with a photograph and a number, issued to a person rather than to a business. Ask for the card in the name of the performer who will actually turn up, sight it before the day and match the face at the door.
Suits are hot even in a Melbourne spring
A full costume adds a great deal of heat and cuts the wearer's vision, which is why half an hour is the standard appearance. Offer shade, water and somewhere to sit down, and take a shorter booking over a longer one.
Sort the changing room when you book
The performer needs a private indoor space, out of sight of every child, that is bigger than a car. A spare bedroom, a garage or a room off the hall all work. Agree it in writing and confirm it the day before.