117 Years of Magic in Manchester
Since 1909, The Order of The Magi has been Manchester’s hub for magicians and magic enthusiasts alike, offering a welcoming space for everyone passionate about the art of illusion. From magic tricks to children’s entertainment and balloon modelling, our society embraces all aspects of the magical arts. We gather twice a month at The Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill, sharing ideas, learning from renowned magic lecturers, and hosting fun, friendly competitions.
Whether you’re a seasoned magician or just starting out, if you’re in Manchester or nearby, come and see the magic we can create together. Take a look at our Membership Page to explore the benefits and join one of the UK’s oldest magic clubs.
Upcoming Events:
MAGI SUMMER BARBECUE
TUESDAY 11th AUGUST 2026, 7.30PM
Our annual Magi Summer Barbecue returns, offering a relaxed and enjoyable evening for members and their partners.
Expect plenty of freshly prepared food, with David Owen, Mike Sharples, and Stuart Cassels once again taking charge of the grill and keeping everything running smoothly throughout the night. It’s always a well attended event and a great chance to unwind, chat, and enjoy some informal magic in a laid back setting.
The evening often includes a bit of everything, from casual performances and magical ideas being shared, to plenty of conversation and laughter.
A simple, sociable evening that has become a regular highlight of the Magi calendar in Manchester.
Additional Guests welcome by prior arrangement (and purchase of a guest ticket)
Please ensure you have confirmed your attendance with the commitee before Wednesday 5th August, along with any special dietry requirements.
LECTURE: CHRIS RAWLINS
Memory Magic, Mentalism Miracles and More
TUESDAY 25th AUGUST 2026, 7.30PM
We are pleased to welcome Chris Rawlins to The Order of the Magi in Manchester for a lecture focused on practical, hard hitting mentalism and memory magic.
Chris is widely respected for his ability to combine engaging presentations with strong, workable methods. His material is designed for real world performance, whether in close-up settings, on stage, or in more informal environments. Often highlighted by Vanishing Inc as one of their favourite mentalists, he is known for striking the right balance between method, presentation, and audience impact.
During this lecture, Chris will share a selection of his work along with insight into his creative process. Expect a range of material that is both practical and adaptable, with ideas that can be applied across different performance styles.
If you are looking for mentalism, memory magic, and related effects that are strong, direct, and usable, this is a lecture well worth attending.
His work has received high praise from leading names in the field:
“Chris is the real deal. Original presentations that will grab your audiences and not let go. Highly recommended.” – Bob Cassidy
“Chris is a creative, original thinker and a truly great performer, his skills and talents mesmerized me. I highly recommend you all to see him in action.” – Uri Geller
“I’m a fan of Chris Rawlins. He knows how to create amazement and he will inspire you to do the same!” – Marc Paul
Visitors are very welcome. Tickets are £10 per person when booked online in advance, or £15 on the night.
Have a Magical Lecture or Event Idea?
The Order of The Magi is always looking to keep our event line-up fresh and exciting. From lectures and competitions to hands-on workshops and brainstorming sessions, we love adding new, unique, and inspiring experiences to our calendar.
If you have a lecture idea or a creative concept that you think our members would enjoy, please drop an email to ents@orderofthemagi.
Visitors:
Visitors are very welcome to attend up to three meetings or lectures during each Magi syllabus year (April to March), giving you the chance to experience what The Order of the Magi has to offer.
Advance tickets for lectures are £10 per person when booked online, or £15 on the night. Open events such as sales days, auctions, and competitions are not included within this limit.
If you find yourself wanting to attend more regularly, membership offers the best value, with full access to all lectures, club nights, competitions, and social events throughout the year, along with the opportunity to take part and perform.
To discover more about becoming a member of The Order of the Magi, please visit our Membership page.
The Order of The Magi News
As Seen On Granada Reports!
The Order of The Magi recently appeared on Granada Reports, as presenter Paul Crone recently visited our Manchester headquarters to explore the remarkable story of one of England’s oldest magical societies.
The feature celebrated over 117 years of magic in Manchester, showcasing classic sleight of hand, mind reading, and interviews with current members of the society.
Founded in 1909, The Order of The Magi is the oldest magic society in the North West and the third oldest in England, continuing to bring together magicians, mind readers, and enthusiasts from across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Take a look at Paul Crone’s visit and see what makes The Order of The Magi so special.
Watch the Granada Reports Feature
The 2026 to 2027 Magic Programme is Now Live
The Order of the Magi is pleased to announce that our full programme of magic lectures and events for the 2026 to 2027 season is now available.
Over the next 12 months, we will be hosting a wide range of magic events in Manchester, including professional lectures, club nights, competitions, and social evenings. The programme features an exciting mix of established names and original thinkers from across the UK and beyond, covering close-up magic, stage performance, mentalism, bizarre magic, and more.
Whether you are looking to develop your skills, discover new ideas, or experience high quality magic from leading performers, this year’s programme offers something for every magician.
Lecture entry for visitors remains at £10 when booked in advance online, or £15 on the night.
This year’s lecturers include:
- Vinny Sagoo
- Graham Hey
- Lee Alex
- Ian Rowland
- Oliver Tabor
- Kevin Gallagher
- Chris Rawlins
- Michael Diamond
- Roger Curzon
- Mark Leveridge
- Andrew Normansell
- Adrian Sullivan
- David Michaels
- Jonathan Royle
You can explore the full list of events, dates, and details on our events page.
Members: Annual Subs Now Due!
Members should note that your annual subs are now due. Please see the latest magazine for details, or contact the Treasurer.
Student Discount
Students in Full Time Education now benefit from a new discounted membership rate. Read More…
Latest Blog Posts:
- Why Magic Is a Hobby for Life
When people think about magic, they often picture a stage illusion, a television special, or a magician producing a rabbit from a hat. What many people never discover is that magic is also one of the most rewarding hobbies anyone can take up, whatever their age or background. At The Order of The Magi, we regularly meet people who first became interested in magic as children, alongside others who only discovered the hobby after retirement. Some members perform professionally, while many simply enjoy learning new skills, meeting like-minded people and experiencing the satisfaction that comes from entertaining friends and family.… Read more: Why Magic Is a Hobby for Life - What Happens at a Magic Club? A Look Inside a Magic Society
If you have ever thought about joining a magic club, you have probably wondered what actually goes on behind closed doors. Is it all top hats and secret handshakes? Is there some sort of magician’s oath? A mysterious initiation? A hidden room beneath Manchester where members gather around candlelight discussing card controls? Well… not quite. Despite what some people imagine, joining a magic society is nothing like joining the Freemasons, and sadly rather less like Hogwarts than many of us might secretly hope. At its heart, a magic club in the UK is simply a place where people with a… Read more: What Happens at a Magic Club? A Look Inside a Magic Society - The Mystery of the Missing Magi Volume: Correcting the Numbering of The Magi Magazine
For more than a century, members of The Order of The Magi in Manchester have received a monthly copy of The Magi magazine, the Society’s long-running journal covering magic, magicians, lectures, performances, club news, and the rich history of one of the UK’s oldest magical societies. Recently, a question was raised regarding the numbering of The Magi magazine and whether the 2026-2027 Society year ought to be appearing as Volume 118 rather than Volume 116. What initially seemed like a small point of curiosity soon developed into a fascinating journey through more than 100 years of magical history, archive material,… Read more: The Mystery of the Missing Magi Volume: Correcting the Numbering of The Magi Magazine
Membership
Membership is open to anyone with a serious interest in the performance of magic, and / or the history of the noble art.
more
History
Read our History to see just why Manchester’s The Order of the Magi, is such a popular and respected Magic Club all over the world.
more
Programme
We host a wide range of exciting magical activities in Manchester, including competitions, lectures and auctions every year.
more
Magazine
The Magi Magazine is the Order of The Magi’s Club Periodical, and has never missed an monthly publication.
more
