Magic & Meaning Conference 2026 Celebrates 20 Years With an Online Gathering

 

What makes a magic performance stay with an audience after the final surprise? That question provides a natural starting point for the Magic & Meaning Conference, returning November 6–8, 2026, as a live online event.

The Magic and Mystery School is celebrating twenty years of the conference, bringing together people interested in performance, storytelling, and the philosophy of magic.

Exploring the Ideas Behind the Effects

The announced program includes 16 attendee PEP Talks, ensemble shows, breakout discussions, and magic instruction. PEP stands for Performance, Entertainment, and Philosophy; the talks are short presentations exploring ideas relevant to the art.

For performers, those subjects raise practical questions. Why does a particular effect belong in a show? What does the audience understand about the performer? How can a presentation make a familiar trick feel personal?

These questions can shape everything from scripting to the order of a routine. A surprising method creates possibilities, while thoughtful presentation gives an audience a reason to remember the result.

A Convention Without the Travel

Organizers describe the conference as the school’s homecoming event and explain that its international community is a reason for keeping the 2026 gathering online. Jeff McBride and Larry Hass are listed as presenters.

For working magicians, attending from home can make an educational event easier to fit around family responsibilities and performances. It also allows conversations between people who might rarely attend the same convention in person.

Registration and Recorded Access

The official listing gives a registration price of $145, with a $70 minimum deposit option. Organizers say all events will be recorded, with an on-demand package of conference materials available to participants.

That access offers an opportunity to return to a discussion or presentation after the weekend, when there is time to consider how an idea might apply to one’s own work.

Readers who enjoyed our recent look at Eugene Burger’s atmospheric television magic may find this focus on presentation especially interesting. Explore that coverage through our Eugene Burger archive search.

Visit the official Magic & Meaning Conference page for registration and the latest schedule.

Find inspiration for your next performance at www.magiciansmagicshop.com.