After 35 years of educating, inspiring and connecting children’s and family entertainers, the KIDabra Magic Conference is preparing to take its final bow.
KIDabra 2026: The Grand Finale will be held August 12–15 in Atlanta. Organizers are describing the historic gathering as “The Grand Finale Part 2 of 2” and promising one-of-a-kind events, special lectures and opportunities for the KIDshow community to come together one last time.
Both in-person and virtual registration options are available, allowing family entertainers from around the world to participate in the final conference.
KIDabra Began in 1992
KIDabra’s history stretches back to 1992, when the event began as the International Festival of Children’s Magicians.
The conference eventually developed into an important annual destination for professional children’s magicians, family entertainers, ventriloquists, puppeteers, balloon artists, clowns, inventors, dealers and other specialty performers.
In 2005, the KIDabra International association grew from the conference’s success. Led by Mark and Tami Daniel, the organization has worked to improve the quality and reputation of entertainment created specifically for children and families.
Unlike a general magic convention, KIDabra focused on the specialized challenges faced by performers working for younger audiences. Lectures and workshops explored subjects including character development, audience management, show construction, comedy, stagecraft, creativity, business, marketing and age-appropriate material.
That concentrated focus helped establish KIDabra as a professional home for entertainers who believed children’s and family shows deserved the same careful study and respect as every other branch of the performing arts.
Learn more about the organization through the official history of KIDabra International.
What Made the KIDabra Conference Different?
Performing magic for children requires a very different set of skills from presenting close-up magic at a cocktail party or an illusion show in a theater.
Young audiences are enthusiastic, honest and frequently unpredictable. A trick alone is rarely enough to hold their attention. Successful family entertainers must understand pacing, character, comedy, participation and how to transform a routine into a memorable experience.
KIDabra provided a place where performers could study those skills with other professionals who understood their audiences.
Speakers were encouraged to develop new presentations rather than repeat the same lectures offered at other conventions. This created sessions devoted to the real-world concerns of working entertainers, including birthday parties, school programs, library shows, holiday events, community performances and full-length family productions.
The conference also became a place for dealers, inventors and authors to introduce new products created specifically for the KIDshow market.
Just as importantly, KIDabra formed a community. Friendships, collaborations and mentoring relationships developed between performers who might otherwise have worked alone in different parts of the world.
What Is Planned for the Final KIDabra Conference?
KIDabra’s Grand Finale begins Wednesday, August 12, with optional ShowSkills workshops designed to give performers practical ideas they can use in their own shows.
The announced sessions include Gregg Britt presenting “Magic That Works” and Dan Nixon and Tim Pressley sharing “Bonkers: 100 Creative Puppet Ideas.” Additional workshops will explore performance techniques, visual moments, character development and ways to increase a show’s production value.
The official welcome ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday evening with Mark and Tami Daniel. Ken Scott and Max Howard are also expected to participate in the opening events.
The conference continues with lectures and appearances from performers and creators including David Ginn, Gregg Britt, Barry Mitchell, Steve Petra, Italo Castillo and other influential voices from the family-entertainment community.
Attendees can also expect a dealers room, late-night puppet and balloon gatherings, networking opportunities and special events created specifically for the final conference.
Because the schedule remains subject to updates, attendees should consult the official KIDabra 2026 schedule for the latest information.
Virtual Attendance Will Be Available
Magicians and family entertainers who cannot travel to Atlanta can still participate through KIDabra’s virtual conference option.
Selected lectures and featured events will be streamed through a multicamera production. Virtual attendees will also receive access to archived conference videos for one year, allowing them to watch the sessions later or revisit important information.
Some activities—including the optional ShowSkills workshops and early-morning or late-night jams—are limited to those attending in person.
Information about both attendance options is available through the official KIDabra registration page.
The End of an Important Chapter in Family Magic
The final KIDabra conference represents more than the conclusion of another annual magic convention. It marks the end of a 35-year tradition that helped generations of performers take children’s and family entertainment seriously as both an art and a profession.
For working entertainers, family magic is not simply an easier version of an adult show. It requires specialized material, careful preparation and the ability to connect with several generations simultaneously.
KIDabra recognized that difference and created an environment where family performers could learn from one another, improve their businesses and raise the standard of shows presented to young audiences.
Its influence can be seen in countless birthday parties, library programs, school assemblies, festival performances and family stage shows presented by entertainers who attended its conferences or learned from its instructors.
KIDabra Prepares to Say Goodbye
KIDabra 2026 takes place August 12–15 at a Marriott hotel in the Atlanta area.
The event is officially billed as “KIDabra: The Grand Finale, Year 35.” Organizers are inviting longtime attendees, new performers and members of the international KIDshow community to gather for one final celebration of the conference’s history, friendships and educational legacy.
Although the final curtain is approaching, the lessons shared through KIDabra—and the thousands of family shows improved by those lessons—will continue affecting audiences for years to come.
Complete conference information is available through the official KIDabra website.
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