Faith is a Merrimack NH face painter, balloon twister, and caricature artist with years of experience as a professional artist and event entertainment artist!
Faith started her journey as an artist and performer in high school art classes and theatre, eventually going to Plymouth State University for technical theatre and theatre design, where she specialized in scenic painting. During and after college, she worked professionally as a prop maker, carpenter, and master painter at Silver Center for the Arts and Art of the Event. She additionally worked for a season as a Christmas event photographer.
After moving to Merrimack NH, Faith began working with Kaleidoscope in 2025 first as a face painter and balloon twister, and then as a caricature artist at corporate events, birthday parties, college and school events, and fundraisers.
We’re lucky to have someone as talented as Faith on our team, and if you’re throwing an event or party in Merrimack NH and are looking for face painting, balloon twisting, or caricatures, we highly recommend working with Faith!
April W is a face painter, balloon twister, and character artist based in Manchester NH. April joined Kaleidoscope in early 2024 after earning her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Media Arts from Southern New Hampshire University.
While she was studying to become a graphic designer, April worked for several years as a professional babysitter as well as a teacher’s aide at the Purple Panther Preschool of Nashua South.
Now, as a full-time working artist, April works during the week as a graphic designer and photographer at an auction house specializing in music memorabilia as well as running a freelance graphic design and photography business.
April’s extensive experience working with children and in the arts has lead her to be one of the highest-rated event entertainers in New Hampshire. Read some of her real, verified Google reviews here:
Interview with April: Manchester NH Face Painter & Balloon Twister
When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?
I started working for Kaleidoscope after I graduated SNHU with my Bachelor’s in Graphic Design. I was having trouble finding jobs in my career field, so I shifted gears toward broader art-related jobs. Kaleidoscope has been a great creative escape for me on the weekends and has allowed me to grow artistically in many ways.
Do you like face painting or balloon twisting more?
I love both, but I do feel more passionate about face painting. I find more creative freedom in face painting, and I enjoy the thoughtful process of shaping my designs based on the individuality and uniqueness of the guests.
What’s your favorite part about face painting?
I love when adults want to join in on the face painting! Usually adults think my artistic services are for kids only, but I will gladly entertain all ages. I recently face painted a woman in her 40’s who had never had her face painted before, and her genuine excitement was such a joy to share.
What are people’s reactions when you tell them you’re a professional Kids Party Entertainer?
I would say the people who I don’t know: very surprised. To the people I do know: they laughed and found it very fitting for me. I’ve always been an artsy person and enjoyed working across a variety of different fields, so this job felt like a perfect fit for me! If you have ever had the chance to see my beautifully wacky apartment decor, you would understand immediately too.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about what you do?
I think most people are surprised I don’t live in the area and I don’t know anything about other details of the event we are at. I live in Southern New Hampshire and some events I work at are 1.5+ hours away from me. It’s exciting being able to travel to different cities/towns and explore new terrain!
What do you think your superpower as a face painter or balloon twister is?
My superpower as a face painter and balloon twister is speed! I know it’s hard to wait in long lines to receive a balloon or face painting, so I try my best to keep the lines moving while also ensuring quality service for all the wonderful families who chose to hang out with me for a little. Unfortunately, I can’t entertain a whole line, but when you’re in my chair – you’re my new best buddy!
What’s your favorite part of being a professional artist?
My favorite part of being a professional artist is being able to share my love for art with others. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to use my skills to create beautiful memories for you and your family.
What’s one thing you wish party planners knew about working with you?
I have loved all the party planners I have collaborated with & thoroughly enjoyed their open communication. I think it’s always really important to discuss the parking situation. While some parties may have ample neighborhood driving, other parties may involve busy city parking garages, limited street parking, or a decent walk to the event – these are all super important things to take into consideration when I am planning my arrival for your event!
What’s the most memorable party you’ve ever done?
My first party will always be my most memorable. I was nervous to test out my skills for the first time, but the family’s warm welcome helped ease me into the party. As I was setting up, the birthday girl came running up to me and was so excited to get her face painted as a unicorn. I shared her excitement back, and when I went to get fresh water for my paints – I hurriedly searched up the design in the bathroom for a quick refresh! Feeling more confident, I was able to transform the birthday star into a magical rainbow unicorn. Of course, once everyone saw her – they had to also be a magical rainbow unicorn too! Was I nervous about the unicorn design when I started? Yes. Was I nervous about the unicorn design after I painted 14 children as unicorn? No. It’s still a funny and wonderful memory to me, and a great lesson about growth. I will continue growing every event I work and I am so excited to see what happens next 🙂
Thea is a Derry NH face painter, balloon twister, bubble performer, and kid’s party entertainer!
Thea began with Kaleidoscope in the spring of 2024 while working as a YMCA summer camp and after-school counselor. After years of working with ages 3-11, Thea decided to shift her career to focus more on her passions–art and wellness–and began working as a professional embroidery artist, yoga teacher, and of course with Kaleidoscope as a face painter, balloon twister, and bubble performer.
Thea calls Derry NH home, and is available for kids parties, corporate events, and school functions throughout New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and Northern Massachusetts through Boston.
Interview with Thea: Derry NH Face Painter and Balloon Twister
When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?
I started at Kaleidoscope in April 2024 in search of a career that would challenge me creatively and socially. I wanted an outlet to connect with new people through art and Kaleidoscope has exceeded my expectations of that description perfectly.
Do you like face painting or balloon twisting more?
If I had to choose one it would be face painting! I started expressing myself through creative character makeup when I was about 12 years old. So sharing my love for face painting with others is so special to me! It makes me happy to spread joy, confidence boosts, and smiles!
What are people’s reactions when you tell them you’re a professional Kids Party Entertainer?
My family and friends are so supportive and excited that I’ve found this niche career that suits my personality and skills 🙂 Sometimes strangers look a bit taken back… like their faces read “wait, having fun at parties is a career option??” Like yes, and it’s awesome!
What do you think your superpower as a face painter or balloon twister is?
Kindness and speed! I am a really patient and kind person and I always make sure my clients feel comfortable and confident. Also, I am skilled at face painting quickly and thoroughly without skipping any magical little details!
What’s your favorite part of being a professional artist?
Honestly, I love that my job feels so magical. I get to connect with lovely people and spread some whimsical joy through my art, such a dream come true!
What’s one thing you wish party planners knew about working with you?
I love receiving details!! Who/what are we celebrating? I want to be in on the fun!! Theme or dress code? I love dressing up!
And parking information is really helpful too–a ton of information helps me arrive at your party with ease and confidence!
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about what you do?
I drive up to 1.5 hours for gigs and it can feel a lot like a scavenger hunt to find my events. I started as a Derry NH face painter and balloon twister, but now I go all over my corner of New England. Some clients love to give lots of party details and other times I just receive a name, date, and address and I’m like “Okie dokie, let’s hit the road!” Thank god for GPS services lol.
What’s the most memorable party you’ve ever done?
My first gig ever was a Celebration of Life for a mother and artist who passed away. The family said something that stuck with me, “if you need to grieve through art please visit the face painting tables”. I’ve thought about this all at my other gigs because you never know what people are going through and it reminded me that my art can create a small but impactful ripple effect on the world.
Meet Billerica MA face painter, balloon twister, stilt walker, and art teacher: Cheyenna!
Chey started with Kaleidoscope in the spring of 2023 as a part-time job around her main career as a Board Certified Music Therapist. As a multi-instrumentalist the ability to play over 20+ instruments, Chey was looking for a way to expand her passion for visual arts and crafts when she began her work at Kaleidoscope.
In the past, Chey has worked as an Arts & Music Counselor at Camp Rainbow, a summer camp that brings together kids with and without disabilities; has created nad facilities programs for elementary-aged migrant students learning English; and has worked as a Direct Service Professional supporting children with disabilities at community-based events.
Now the Director of Music Therapy at a community music school, Chey works with children and adults ages 4-86 to help people of all ages who are neurodivergent or have a variety of intellectual and/or physical disabilities.
At Kaleidoscope, Chey is available for your Massachusetts event with the following art forms:
FAQ with Billerica MA Face Painter & Balloon Twister Chey
Why did you want to become a face painter & balloon twister?
I was in a transition moment between jobs as a music therapist and was looking for a short term job for the summer. I thought this would be fun, and I liked face painting and balloon twisting so much I’ve stayed for years! It’s really fun telling people who see me only as a program director that I work as a face painter or balloon twister on the side, I normally don’t get to have this much fun at my normal job.
What areas do you service?
I work out of Billerica MA but I serve all of Massachusetts and sometimes southern New Hampshire or Rhode Island.
What do you like most about being a children’s party entertainer?
I like that our job is to have fun with kids. I love the kids I work with during the week, but a lot of my focus is therapeutic and helping them reach their goals. As a face painter or balloon twister, we really just get to laugh and have fun, so it brings me a lot of joy.
What is one thing you wish every client knew?
I’m thinking specifically as a stilt walker for this, but we text clients confirmations a day before their event, and making sure they read the safety notices we send them before I arrive at their event is really important. I need to be able to put my stilts on somewhere, need to avoid stairs or uneven surfaces, just a few little details that can help their events go well.
Clients reading what we send them makes everything very stress-free for them and us.
Cloud is a face painter and balloon twister in Newington CT who entertains at events throughout Connecticut!
Cloud started with Kaleidoscope in Spring 2025 after years as a professional actress and educator. She got her start in theatre in high school, then got her BFA from Seton Hall University, where she studied Theatre and Creative Writing. After graduating in 2016, she began working as a theatre educator, teaching full-length productions, summer camps, private acting lessons, and improv classes. After graduating college, Cloud was also a classroom teacher for 5 years in both English and theater at several local neighborhood and magnet public schools.
Since staring at Kaleidoscope, Cloud has become one of our most-requested and best-reviewed artists. She thrives at high-energy events and would love to come entertain at your next party!
Interview with Cloud: Newington CT Face Painter and Ballloon Twister
What made you want to first start face painting or balloon twisting?
I love art in all of its forms and I thought to myself, “Let’s try something new!” I took the leap to try face painting and balloon twisting and I fell in love with it! I love seeing people’s faces light up when they get their balloon or see their painted face in the mirror!
Do you like being a face painter or balloon twister more?
I love them both for different reasons! With face painting – I love talking to the person while I’m getting the paints ready and really letting them choose their own adventure with what I’m going to paint! I love when kids ask, “Can I have the pirate bandana in purple?” or “Can you add glitter?” It really shows what they love and gives them a chance to be creative themselves! With balloon twisting, I love “knighting” kiddos at parties and events when I give them their balloon sword! It gets them in on the magic, and now they’re a knight!
What do you think your superpower as a kids’ party entertainer is?
My superpower as an entertainer is getting a person to smile and be seen. I am a goofball, and I also know what it’s like to be a shy kid. I love to talk to guests at parties and get to know them, you can tell alot about a person just from their favorite color, favorite animal, and what they look forward to during each season! I want the guests to feel like in that moment with Cloud, they were the star of their own show – because they are!
What’s your favorite part of being a kids’ party entertainer?
When someone’s face just breaks into a smile seeing their painted face! It gives me so much joy to bring others joy! The whimsical nature of it all just fills my cup and makes me excited for each and every gig. I also love dressing up colorfully! You’ll see me and my butterfly hair clips and cool earrings at every gig because I just love it so much!
What’s the hardest part about your job?
The hardest part? Probably transporting stuff out of my car, that’s why it’s super important for us to have instructions on where to park when at the gig!
What’s one thing you think every client should know before hiring event entertainment party?
We send a check in text before every event just saying what we need the client to provide! (Tables, chairs, etc.,) It’s super important to have that communication beforehand so that we can give you the best experience possible! The more information we have when you’re booking, the easier our arrival and set up are. I love when clients include maps or extra parking instructions.
New Britain native Jem first started as a balloon twister with Kaleidoscope in 2022, but her adventure with us begins all the way back in 2015 as a communications intern. In 2015 she helped build our princess party sister company Princess Perfect and has freelanced with us as a photographer, content writer, and kids party entertainer ever since.
Over the past decade, not only has Jem finished her Master’s in International Business but she has launched her career in corporate communication Monday through Friday. And like many of our artists, she enjoys breaking her weekly routine to have fun and make kids smile at parties on weekends!
When not traveling, learning new languages, or balloon twisting, Jem volunteer’s in her church’s youth ministry, where she organizes an annual summer retreat for children and their families throughout New England.
Interview with Jem: Balloon Twister in New Britain CT
When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?
I started at Kaleidoscope summer of 2015 as a lowly marketing intern haha I never thought I’d bet a balloon twister!
If you could only pick one, would you rather do face painting or balloon twisting forever and why?
Balloon twisting, the possibilities are endless!
What is your favorite part of Being a Balloon Twister?
I just love how I can take a single straight balloon and turn it into something amazing. I also love the look on kids faces as they watch me twist and their amazement at the final design. It motivates me to learn more cool designs, and I like learning new ones all the time.
What are people’s reactions when you tell them what your job is?
Surprised usually because I’m so serious in my every day life haha I work in corporate communications during the week, so being a kids party entertainer is a totally different side of my personality.
What is one surprising fact about you?
I speak 5 languages and I love learning about other languages!
What was the most memorable party you ever entertained at?
A unicorn themed birthday party, they kids were amazing. I loved interacting with them and they were amazing by every design I created. It was fun seeing their little eyes light up every time.
What is the hardest thing about being a Balloon Twister?
Making sure everyone gets something. Having to break someone’s heart when my time is up and I have to leave and they didn’t get a balloon or glitter tattoo yet, especially if the event is over and everything has to wrap up on a schedule.
What’s one piece of advice you give to every parent planning a birthday party?
Always book with enough time for every kid to get something. Being kind and considerate of your artists helps make the whole process go over smoothly. It never hurts to make sure they have enough shade especially for summer time outdoor parties.
What is your favorite activity for summer camp event entertainment and why?
Balloons! The kids have a blast comparing what they got, and I especially love the sword fights they get into with their balloon swords.
Gray is a face painter and balloon twister based in Bridgeport CT, who began working as a kids’ party entertainer in 2024! As a Film, TV, and Media Production student at SCSU, Gray is studying to become a filmmaker and is combining a passion for both working with kids and visual arts by working in kids’ party entertainment on weekends with Kaleidoscope.
FAQ with Gray: Bridgeport CT Face Painter & Balloon Twister
Why are you studying film in college?
I’m studying film because for me it’s my favorite way to portray passion and emotion within art! I use film as an outlet for all my creative thoughts 🙂
Why did you start working as a face painter and balloon twister?
I started working as a face painter and balloon twister because I love working with kids and I love doing art, and this combined both of them!
Do you like face painting or balloon twisting more? Why?
I love like face painting more! I’ve been a painter for most of my life and I feel like there’s more creative freedom with face paint!
What do you love most about kids’ party entertainment?
I absolutely love seeing the joy on kids’ faces when they see the finished work. And I love that I can bring smiles to people’s faces with what I do!
I’ll never forget my first party! It was face painting, and I was with a bunch of our other artists who were sooo supportive and encouraging of my work even as a beginner artist!
What areas do you provide kids’ party entertainment in?
I travel all around Connecticut! I’m based in Bridgeport CT so of course the shoreline, but I’m also able to go farther north into Central CT for events up there as well 🙂
If you’re looking for K-Pop Demon Hunters party ideas, here are our favorites that we’ve seen sprouting up at kids birthday parties all around CT, MA, RI, and NH!
5 Entertainment Ideas for K-Pop Demon Hunter Kids Parties
1. Hair Art
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are fashion icons. Bring hair art to your party to let kids create their own styles, including:
Hair chalk
Hair glitter
Hair tinsel
Hair art is the most popular thing we’ve seen so far at K-Pop Demon Hunters themed parties, and we think it couples perfectly with glitter looks or UV face paint (below).
One of the many, many appeals of K-Pop Demon Hunters is that it’s eye candy for the viewer, with beautiful lighting design, soothing color palettes, and plenty of sparkle.
Bring that same level of shine to your party with glitter looks. Guests can choose their level of glitter (from “just a touch” to “dump it on me”) and colors to match their outfits.
What’s great about glitter looks is that it’s something everyone from kids to adults can enjoy, so it’s great for mixed-aged parties.
Similar to glitter looks, UV face paint gives guests that extra glow that makes K-Pop Demon Hunters such a treat to watch.
Kids can request “demon marks”, over-the-top colorful makeup, or even a derpy tiger–all of which will glow under UV light.
We do provide black light rentals if you’re not throwing your K-Pop Demon Hunters party at a venue that has them, or you can opt for regular face painting–just let us know!
Finally, let’s be real–belting Golden or Soda Pop is probably most kids’ favorite thing about K-Pop Demon Hunters.
A kids’ karaoke station is our most underrated idea for a K-Pop Demon Hunters party. Depending on what your kids love, at the time of booking you can request your favorite mix of songs:
K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack + K-Pop Hits
K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack + other movie soundtracks (like Disney)
K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack + Top 40 family-friendly edits
Or anything else you want!
Just let us know at the time of booking and our DJ will be there with a catalog, monitors for lyrics, and up to 4 wireless mics for the kids to use.
Finally, if you’re looking for something for tweens and teens that feels a little more “grown up”, hire our caricature artists to transform guests into their own K-Pop Demon Hunter cartoon!
We love caricatures for tweens, teens, and adults. It’s one of those “bucket list” items perfect for a cartoon-themed birthday party, including K-Pop Demon Hunters.
If you’re planning a shopping plaza or outdoor retail event, here are some of the most popular Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas we’ve seen over the past decade! Whether you’re organizing a grand opening, sidewalk festival, or family weekend, you’ll find plenty of shopping center entertainment inspiration to make your event unforgettable.
Here are our favorite Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas, organized into three categories: booth & tent activations, strolling performers, and seasonal or holiday specials — perfect for bringing fresh shopping center entertainment inspiration to your next event.
Booth & Tent Entertainment Ideas for Outdoor Shopping Centers
Face Painting & Balloon Twisting
AAge Range: Toddlers through tweens (and even plenty of teens and adults!)
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist:
Full face paint designs or multi-balloon creations: 10–12 guests per hour
Speedy face designs or simple balloons: 15–20 guests per hour
Number of Artists Available: Up to 20 per event
At a Glance: Our artists set up at branded booths or tents and keep lines moving quickly with bright, engaging designs that appeal to all ages.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: This is our most popular option for retail plazas and outdoor shopping events! Our speedy face painting menu is specially designed to handle high-volume crowds — averaging 15–20 faces per hour, with some artists reaching nearly 30. With up to 20 artists available, we’re unmatched in both scale and efficiency. It’s a proven way to attract families, boost foot traffic, and create a lively, colorful atmosphere on a budget.
Not Recommended For: Face paint isn’t ideal for events with water features or splash zones, and balloons can be tricky for events with lots of hands-on activities (since parents often end up holding them). That said, these remain our most-requested entertainment options for outdoor shopping center events of all sizes!
Logistical Considerations: Face painters need 1 table and 2 chairs per painter. Balloon twisters just need some table space and 1 chair per twister. Besides that, we’re pretty self-contained!
Age Range: Upper elementary, tweens, teens, and adults
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist: Up to 10 caricatures per hour
Number of Artists Available: Up to 8 per event
At a Glance: Our caricature artists create fun, personalized cartoon portraits that guests can take home as a keepsake. To keep lines moving quickly — a must for large-scale retail events — we focus on black-and-white bust caricatures, allowing more guests to be drawn each hour without sacrificing quality or charm.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Caricatures are always a hit — they’re the ultimate keepsake and conversation starter! We can even design custom templates featuring your shopping center’s logo, seasonal branding, or event theme, turning every drawing into a mini piece of marketing. It’s the perfect way to combine art, entertainment, and brand visibility at once.
Not Recommended For: Events centered on very young children, who may struggle to sit still long enough for their turn (about six minutes per drawing).
Logistical Considerations: Each caricature artist needs 1 table at dining-height (no high tops or children’s tables) with 3 chairs for them and guests.
At a Glance: Guests can mix and match from a variety of temporary tattoo options! Our built-for-speed menus keep lines moving — attendees simply pick a design and have it applied in seconds. Tattoos can last anywhere from a few days (glitter or flash) to about a week (airbrush or henna), and most remove easily with rubbing alcohol (except henna).
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Temporary tattoo stations are fantastic Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas because they appeal to all ages and keep guests engaged without long wait times. They’re especially useful as “line-buster” activities that keep visitors entertained while they shop, explore, or wait for other attractions — providing fun, flexible shopping center entertainment inspiration for high-traffic events.
Not Recommended For: Marketing-specific activations where branding or crowd draw is the primary goal — in those cases, face painting and balloon twisting are usually more visible attention-getters.
Logistical Considerations: Each temporary tattoo artist requires one table and two chairs. Airbrush tattoo stations also need access to a standard three-prong electrical outlet, while glitter, flash, and henna options are completely self-contained.
Age Range: Toddlers and early elementary-age children
Number of Guests Entertained Per Mascot: Up to 30 guests per hour
Number of Mascots Available: Our roster includes over a dozen beloved characters, with up to six mascot performers available for any single event. (Ask us for our current lineup!)
At a Glance: Bring theme park magic right to your shopping center with our larger-than-life cartoon mascots! These friendly characters greet families, pose for photos, and create memorable moments that delight kids and parents alike.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Mascot meet-and-greets are one of the most powerful Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas for drawing young families and boosting foot traffic. They create a natural photo opportunity that fuels organic social media sharing — making them both a crowd favorite and a cost-effective marketing tool for your plaza or retail district.
Not Recommended For: Stage performances or events held in extreme heat. Mascots can safely appear on stage for introductions but cannot perform detailed activities like face painting, balloon twisting, or crafts. Since costume interiors can be up to 20°F warmer than the outdoor temperature, performers should be scheduled for regular shade and cooling breaks during summer events.
Logistical Considerations: Mascots require an adult handler from your team (or we can provide one); one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time); and a space to change/break. We are love our professional actors and it’s extremely important to us that they stay safe at events. Please read more about mascot safety here.
Kids: One tie-dye artist can assist up to 6 kids at a time, reaching approximately 25 participants per hour.
Teens & Adults: One tie-dye artist can assist up to 10 guests at a time, averaging about 40 participants per hour.
At a Glance: Our tie-dye artists guide guests through an easy, low-mess process to band, spray, and bag their own colorful apparel. This hands-on, make-and-take activity typically takes about six minutes per guest when there’s no line — making it a great balance between creativity and efficiency.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Interactive “make-and-take” experiences like tie-dye stations are among the most engaging Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas you can offer. They encourage guests to stay longer, create a sense of community, and give them something memorable to take home — perfect shopping center entertainment inspiration for boosting dwell time and repeat visits.
Not Recommended For: Formal events, settings where mess must be avoided (though our spray-dye method is much cleaner than traditional tie-dye), or entertainment for children under six who may not yet have the motor skills for spraying.
Logistical Considerations: Each tie-dye setup requires 2–3 long folding tables (we provide drop cloths). Guests can bag and take their tie-dye items home immediately, or you can provide one additional long table per 15 participants as a drying station. (We supply gallon bags with name tags for easy transport.)an traditional tie-dye), or entertainment for kids under 6 who may not have the motor skills to spray.
Strolling Performers for Outdoor Shopping Center Entertainment Ideas
Strolling magicians
Age Range: Toddlers through adults
Number of Guests Entertained Per Magician: Approximately 6–7 tricks per hour, performed up-close for small groups of up to 10 guests per trick
Number of Performers Available: Our magicians are truly one-of-a-kind, with up to four available on any given day
At a Glance: Our strolling magicians move throughout your event, performing close-up magic and engaging guests wherever they are. This adds a spontaneous, personal touch that brings energy and curiosity to even the largest gatherings.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: A strolling magician is one of the most memorable Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas because it adds a sense of wonder and surprise to everyday spaces. Guests love the unexpected delight of seeing professional magic up close — it’s an easy way to spark smiles, create shareable moments, and elevate the guest experience across your plaza or retail district.
Not Recommended For: Fully seated or formal events such as galas or dinners. While magicians can stroll between dining tables, the magic works best in a dynamic, festival-style environment where guests are mingling and exploring.
Logistical Considerations: Our magicians are highly flexible and require minimal setup. They typically need only a small area to store extra props or materials. If parking is available nearby, they can easily manage everything from their vehicle — making this one of the easiest, most adaptable forms of shopping center entertainment to add to your lineup.
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist: Stilt walkers, clowns, and jugglers are more about creating atmosphere than performing for a specific number of guests. Just one or two performers can make a big visual impact across your entire event.
Number of Performers Available: This is one of our most specialized offerings, with 3–4 circus performers available on any given day.
At a Glance: Our stilt walkers, clowns, and jugglers roam through your event, adding color, motion, and energy to the space. They’re the perfect “wow factor” for carnival-themed festivals, shopping center celebrations, or seasonal events.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Circus performers are an easy, high-impact way to create a lively and immersive environment — ideal for drawing attention from every corner of your property. One or two roaming performers can transform the entire vibe of your plaza or promenade, making this one of the most cost-effective Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas for boosting energy and excitement.
Not Recommended For: Open-field, beach, or campground settings where uneven ground can make walking acts unsafe.
Logistical Considerations: Clowns and jugglers are completely self-contained. Stilt walkers, however, require one 15-minute break per contracted hour (for example, a 2:00–4:00 p.m. booking includes two breaks) and a tall, sturdy surface such as a bar top, car roof, or stage edge to safely mount their stilts. For safety, stilts should only be used on flat blacktop or indoor flooring — never on sand, dirt, or uneven grass.
Up to 20 face painters or balloon twisters available
At a Glance: Welcome spring in style with a visit from the Easter Bunny and seasonal activities that keep families smiling! Our team offers themed face painting and balloon twisting menus tailored for spring celebrations. (We also provide plenty of inclusive, secular spring and Purim designs so every family feels welcome.)
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: After a long New England winter, families are eager to get outside again — and nothing brings them together like a cheerful spring celebration. A festive Easter Bunny meet-and-greet combined with colorful booths and live entertainment is the perfect way to boost foot traffic and re-energize your plaza. It’s one of our favorite Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas for kicking off the warm-weather season and creating buzz across your community.
Logistical Considerations: If you’d like our artists to bring spring-specific menus or themed options, please let our office know when booking so we can tailor the experience to your event.
Mascots (including the Easter Bunny) require an adult handler from your team (or we can provide one); one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time); and a space to change/break. We are love our professional actors and it’s extremely important to us that they stay safe at events. Please read more about mascot safety here.
Strolling Magicians: Our magicians are all unique, but we have several available on any given day
At a Glance: Throw a fall festival that mixes traditions and is full of fall color! Our special fall products are never-scary and family-friendly and our special seasonal menus feature spooky hints at Halloween while still having plenty of entertainment options for families who don’t celebrate it.
Why We Love it for Outdoor Shopping Events: We love fall! We love New England! We would love to celebrate the best season to be a New Englander with you!
Christmas elf add-ons: turn any of your entertainers into elves! (Guests per hour depend on art type.)
Number of Artists Available:
Up to 1 Santa per event
Up to 15 elves for face painting, balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, or caricatures
At a Glance: Bring festive magic to your shopping center this winter! We offer Santa visits, cheerful elves, and classic holiday designs — but we also know that New England’s communities are beautifully diverse. Every one of our seasonal entertainment menus includes Christmas, Hanukkah, and secular winter options so every child feels welcome and included.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Nothing draws families to a plaza faster than a free photo with Santa! Pair that with themed face painting, balloon twisting, and other family-friendly attractions, and you’ve got one of the most crowd-pleasing Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas of the year. Our inclusive approach ensures that every guest — regardless of background or tradition — enjoys a joyful winter experience, making your shopping center the heart of the season.
Logistical Considerations: Santa will need a sturdy chair for meet-and-greets. We must be informed at least one week in advance if your event is outdoors or indoors so we can ship heated layers for our performers. For outdoor events, our artists must be positioned near outdoor heaters for safety. (We love our performers and keeping them safe is our #1 priority!)
*Note, Patriotic menus are only available in full face designs and multi-balloon designs, not speedy designs, in order to incorporate red white and blue into everything.
Number of Artists Available: Up to 20
At a Glance: Our flexible red, white, and blue menus are perfect for three day weekends–Labor Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day are all covered with one unique menu! National Night Out, Touch a Truck, or a military discount event? Those too! Available for both face painting and balloon twisting.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Turning your shopping center into a popular shopping destination often includes making it feel like an accessible, “third place” that’s part of the local community. These menus were engineered with outdoor shopping centers in mind to help create that small-time-festival feel and make you feel woven into your local town in the most New England way possible.
Logistical Considerations: If you want our artists to come prepared with a patriotic menu, please notify us at the time of booking so we can be prepared.
If you’re looking for town and city community event examples and ideas, here are the most popular event entertainment ideas we’ve seen over the past decade! Whether you’re looking for festival ideas for small towns or big city block party entertainment ideas, we have you covered!
Kaleidoscope has entertained at hundreds of town and city events, from Union CT’s Old Home Day (population 3,200) to Boston MA’s public block parties (population 673,000 and counting).
Here are our favorite types of entertainment for your upcoming town or city community event, sorted into three categories: booth & tent entertainment, strolling performers, and holiday specials.
Booth & Tent Entertainment Ideas for Towns & Cities
Face Painting & Balloon Twisting
Age Range: Toddlers – Tweens (and even some teens and adults!)
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist:
Full face paint designs or multi-balloon designs: 10-12 guests
At a Glance: Our artists set up at a booth or tent and move quickly through a line of kids!
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: This is THE most popular festival option we have! Our speedy face menu is custom-engineered to move through a huge line fast with a guarantee of 15-20 faces per hour with some artists reaching close to 30 faces per hour. With up to 20 artists available, no one can match our speed! Perfect for drawing in a large crowd on a budget.
Not Recommended For: We don’t recommend face paint for events with a ton of water (it will wash off easily) or balloons for events with a ton of hands-on activities (parents end up holding them). But honestly, these are our most popular types of entertainment for both small town festivals and big city block parties!
Logistical Considerations: Face painters need 1 table and 2 chairs per painter. Balloon twisters just need some table space and 1 chair per twister. Besides that, we’re pretty self-contained!
Age Range: Upper Elementary, Tweens, Teens, and Adults!
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist: Up to 10 guests drawn per hour
Number of Artists Available: Up to 8 per event
At a Glance: Our caricature artists will draw fun cartoons of your guests. To maximize speed (a constant consideration since we specialize in large events), we limit our caricatures to black and white busts to get more heads drawn per hour.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: Caricatures are THE bucket-list item! Plus, we can create custom templates that advertise your town, department, or event on every page.
Not Recommended For: Events focusing on young children, who often don’t know why they have to sit still for 6 minutes!
Logistical Considerations: Each caricature artist needs 1 table at dining-height (no high tops or children’s tables) with 3 chairs for them and guests.
At a Glance: Mix and match any temporary tattoos you want! Guests will line up, pick a tattoo from our built-for-speed menus, and have it quickly applied to them. Tattoos last anywhere from a few days (glitter, flash) up to a week (airbrush, henna) but most can be easily removed with rubbing alcohol (except henna).
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: Our temporary tattoo stations are perfect line-buster activities because we can get through so many guests at once, and are popular with all ages if you want to make sure there’s something for everyone.
Not Recommended For: Marketing-specific purposes. If your event goal is to draw the biggest crowd possible, face painting and balloon twisting are typically more popular crowd magnets.
Logistical Considerations: Temporary tattoo artists need 1 table and 2 chairs per artist. Airbrush tattoos additionally *require* a 3-prong electrical outlet near their station. (Glitter, flash, and henna are self-contained.)
Number of Guests Entertained Per Mascot: Up to 30 per hour
Number of Mascots Available: We typically have about a dozen characters in our roster and up to 6 mascot actors available on any given day. Check out our current line up here.
At a Glance: Cartoon mascots come for a theme-park style meet-and-greet!
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: Cartoon meet-and-greets pack a massive marketing punch that draw a huge crowd of young families, and are often very cost-effective for your town or city!
Not Recommended For: Stage shows or extreme heat events. Mascots cannot talk or see very well, so they can be introduced on a stage but cannot do things like face paint, balloon twist, or do crafts. The mascots also heat the person inside at least 20°F hotter than the outdoor temperature, so they cannot be placed in the direct sun and during summer require heat safety breaks.
Logistical Considerations: Mascots require an adult handler from your team (or we can provide one); one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time); and a space to change/break. We are love our professional actors and it’s extremely important to us that they stay safe at events. Please read more about mascot safety here.
For kids, one tie-dye artist can assist up to 6 kids at a time and up to 25 kids per hour.
For teens and adults, one tie-dye artist can assist up to 10 at a time and up to 40 teens and adults per hour.
At a Glance: Our tie-dye artists help guests band, spray, and bag tie-dye apparel! This low-mess solution is the perfect make-and-take station that, if there’s no line, takes guests about 6 minutes to move through and complete.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: We love any activity that emphasizes play or hands-on participation. Make-and-take stations are perfect for that, and this is our favorite one!
Not Recommended For: Formal events, events where mess is a concern (although our spray dye is cleaner than traditional tie-dye), or entertainment for kids under 6 who may not have the motor skills to spray.
Logistical Considerations: Tie-Dye needs at least 2-3 long folding tables (we will provide drop cloths). Guests should either plan to take their tie-dye with them in a bag, or you should prepare another 1 long folding table per 15 guests as a drying station. (We will provide gallon bags with name tags.)
Strolling Performer Town Festival Entertainment Ideas
Strolling magicians
Age Range: toddlers through adults
Number of Guests Entertained Per Magician: About 6-7 tricks per hour, up-close with groups of up to 10 people per trick
Number of Artists Available: Our magicians are one of a kind, but on any given day, we have up to 4 available.
At a Glance: Our magicians walk through your event performing up-close tricks for event-goers. It’s a special, intimate touch on large events!
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: If you’re trying to add an element of wonder and surprise to your event, an up-close magician is an unexpected encounter that will be the highlight of guests’ day!
Not Recommended For: Purely seated events, like galas or dinners. Magicians can stroll through tabled dining rooms, but often this breaks up guests’ conversations and doesn’t have the same element of surprise as a large festival or public event where everyone is standing.
Logistical Considerations: Our magicians need a small spot to stash extra items, but if they can park close to where they’re strolling, they can always leave things in their car. This is one of our most flexible types of entertainment!
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist: Stilt walkers, clowns, and jugglers are more of a “vibe” addition than entertainment, so one or two will make a large impact on everyone at your event.
Number of Artists Available: This is one of our most specialty products with only 3-4 circus artists available at any given time.
At a Glance: Our clowns, stilt walkers, and jugglers make their way through your event, adding ambiance to any carinval, festival, or circus-themed event!
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: One or two circus performers can make a huge difference on the festive atmosphere of your event, no matter how many guests you have–making it a very budget-conscious addition to your event.
Not Recommended For: Events out in open fields, on beaches, or in camps. Uneven terraine can make working while walking unsafe and not very much fun.
Logistical Considerations: Clowns and jugglers are self-contained. However, stilt walkers require one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time) and a tall platform to get onto their stilts (bar top, their car roof, a stage edge). For their safety, stilts should only be performed on flat black top or indoor flooring, and never on sand, dirt, or uneven lawn.
Up to 20 face painters or balloon twisters available
At a Glance: Invite the Easter Bunny to your bash! We also have spring-specific face painting and balloon twisting menus for any celebration. (And don’t worry–all of our holiday menus are for everyone in your community, so we have plenty of Purim and secular spring designs we include for families who don’t celebrate Easter.)
Why We Love It for Town & City Events: By spring, we are all desperate to reemerge from winter’s dark isolation. Kick off spring in New England by inviting families out for a themed event!
Logistical Considerations:If you want our artists to bring spring-specific menus, please notify our office at the time of booking.
Mascots (including the Easter Bunny) require an adult handler from your team (or we can provide one); one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time); and a space to change/break. We are love our professional actors and it’s extremely important to us that they stay safe at events. Please read more about mascot safety here.
Strolling Magicians: Our magicians are all unique, but we have several available on any given day
At a Glance: Throw a fall festival that mixes traditions and is full of fall color! Our special fall products are never-scary and family-friendly and our special seasonal menus feature spooky hints at Halloween while still having plenty of entertainment options for families who don’t celebrate it.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: We love fall! We love New England! We would love to celebrate the best season to be a New Englander with you!
Christmas elf add-ons: turn any of your entertainers into elves! (Guests per hour depend on art type.)
Number of Artists Available:
Up to 1 Santa per event
Up to 15 elves for face painting, balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, or caricatures
At a Glance: Throw a perfect winter town event! We have Santa, elves, and tons of classic Christmas designs, but one of the things we love about New England is how diverse our communities are. All of our special winter menus come with Christmas, Hanukkah, and secular winter designs so no child ever feels left out.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: Nothing will pull families to your event like a free visit with Santa! And our special winter face painting and balloon twisting menus will include every family in your town.
Logistical Considerations: Santa requires a chair. We **MUST** be informed if the event is outdoors or indoors with a minimum week’s notice before your event if we need to ship extra heated layers to keep our artists warm, and for outdoor events our artists **MUST** be placed next to outdoor heaters for their safety. (We love our artists and safety is our #1 priority here!)
At a Glance: Let us bring our patriotic red, white, and blue menus to your Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, or Veterans’ Day event! These flexible menus have something for anyone who wants to get their face painted.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: When you’re celebrating a local or federal holiday, these menus have been crafted to give a nostalgic Americana feel to any event.
Logistical Considerations: If you want our artists to use any holiday menus at your event, including patriotic ones, please let our office know at the time of booking. (And if you’re looking for parade entertainment, we don’t recommend walking balloon twisters unless you are ok with extremely simple dogs-or-swords type options. Mascots make for better parade walkers, but talk to our office at the time of booking.)
