Find a DJ near you
The average rating for Bark DJs is 4.91, based on 102,626 reviews
5/5
based on 102,626 reviews
What can you expect to pay for great music? Our DJ price guide has all the answers, so you can set your budget and hire a brilliant local professional.
From filling the silence at an otherwise awkward business event to keeping the crowd alive late into the night for a party, a great DJ can make or break your evening. But how much should you pay for a DJ, and how do you know who's right for your budget? A DJ is an essential part of a great occasion. It allows you to:
Bring everyone together on the dancefloor
Relax about having to organise entertainment yourself
Make sure everyone has a great time
Improve sound quality, compared to ‘regular’ parties
Customise your playlist however you wish
Create unforgettable memories
Lots of DJs have excellent showmanship which can make your event into a real spectacle. Or, the DJ can offer some relaxing backing music while all your guests mingle.
Whatever your occasion, and however you envision the use of a DJ: bringing in a professional is often an excellent idea. But you’ll need to budget for this to ensure you can afford it. This page gives an in-depth summary of DJ prices in the UK. Keep in mind that all figures listed on this page are based on our data and research. If you want a personalised quotation, get in touch with a DJ in your area.
In most cases, you’ll hire a DJ for one day (or night) only. This means that they can charge a fixed rate for the evening. It’ll cover music, technical setup, creating outstanding acoustics, and engagement with the attendees. This is priced at roughly £350.
Other DJs charge an hourly rate. This can give protection if the event stretches on longer than first anticipated. Around £75 per hour is a typical rate for this.
When your event goes on for several days, you will often find that DJs are open to negotiation. But they may also need to find a place to stay in the area, which will be included in the fee.
| Length of event | Average price |
| 1 hour | £75 |
| 2 hours | £150 |
| 3 hours | £225 |
| 4 hours | £300 |
| 5 hours | £375 |
| 6 hours | £450 |
| 7 hours | £525 |
Whether it’s a birthday, hen do, anniversary, or corporate event, if you can afford a DJ, they're usually worth the cost. Yes, you can blast a playlist from your phone, but what about taking requests, reading the mood of the room, and making sure the music doesn't do deeply off-track when your playlist ends?
A DJ has the expertise and experience to read the room and entertain an audience. They’ll be able to judge the crowd to make sure that every song following on from the last is a hit, make announcements, and provide extra entertainment.
A DJ will also have the necessary equipment to make sure the music sounds high quality and professional. A muffled or quiet speaker is the ultimate mood killer - don't let it spoil your party. With a DJ on hand to make sure your guests are having the time of their lives, you can stop worrying about them and focus on enjoying the party.
When you hire a DJ, the price can depend on several factors. These include:
Type and length of event
DJ’s experience
Additional equipment
Timeframe
Location
Some of these have a greater impact on price than others. Here’s an overview of the importance of each element on the price of a DJ.
One of the largest factors affecting the price of hiring a DJ is the type of event. Hiring a DJ for a large-scale event with 200 guests or more, for example, is going to cost more than hiring a DJ for a children’s birthday party of about fifteen people.
A DJ playing for a wedding is going to need far more preparation time - crafting the perfect playlist for milestone moments like the dinner, speeches, and first dance, as well as ensuring all of the equipment is suitable for the venue well in advance. This requires a lot of planning, which will inevitably bump up the price.
When it comes to hiring a quality DJ, experience counts. If your DJ is new to the world of music, their knowledge of different genres and what works for certain crowds won’t be as impressive as someone with years of industry experience, and their prices will probably be lower.
An experienced DJ will have performed at countless venues and parties, so they’ll know exactly how to get your guests moving, as well as how to deal with any issues that may unexpectedly arise. You'll pay more for a DJ with an excellent track record like this, but you're probably getting more peace of mind, too.
Basically, with an experienced DJ, you can rest assured that they’ll deliver a successful event - but expect to pay more for the higher-quality service you’re receiving.
Remember, an experienced DJ could easily charge up to £1,000 or more, depending on their reputation. While you shouldn’t expect to pay much more than £900 - £1,000 for a local celebrity, you would expect to spend much more for a nationwide celebrity to play a set.
Most DJs can provide additional equipment to accompany their music set, like lighting or sound systems. This either comes as part of a package deal, or as an additional cost. With package deals, the general rule of thumb is this: the more equipment, the higher the price. A standard sound and lighting system may come at an additional cost of £200 - £500 per DJ, depending on the size and level of sophistication.
It should come as no surprise that the cost of a DJ will change depending on how long you need them. The standard amount of time for DJ hire is around 5 hours, but depending on your requirements, your DJ can be available for much longer. If you need your DJ throughout your wedding day, for the ceremony, reception, dinner, etc. the price will increase based on the timeframe and the preparation needed in advance.
If you live in a big city like London, expect prices to increase. DJs in London charge more in the capital simply because the cost of living is higher. Meanwhile, prices tend to drop in Northern Ireland or the north-west of England.
You should also consider how far your DJ needs to travel to reach the event. They’ll have plenty of bulky equipment with them – so if you’re far away, extra petrol and storage costs can creep in.
If your event is based in a remote location, make sure your DJ still has everything needed to plug in all their equipment. In a town hall, this is unlikely to be a problem. But if you’re in the middle of a forest, your DJ will need to make allowances for this (and bring specialist equipment) which likewise increases your price.
| Location | Average DJ price |
| London | £450 |
| South-East England | £420 |
| South-West England | £410 |
| East of England | £350 |
| West Midlands | £350 |
| North-West England | £340 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £330 |
| Scotland | £300 |
| Wales | £300 |
| Northern Ireland | £280 |
| North-East England | £280 |
Hiring a DJ doesn’t have to cost the earth! Here are a few tips on keeping costs down:
Be picky with your date - If you hire your DJ during off-seasons and on weekends, prices will be considerably lower as demand will decrease. You should also give plenty of notice to get the best prices.
Keep hours to a minimum - a simple way to cut costs is by reducing the number of hours. Your DJ doesn’t have to be there for the whole evening, especially as guests tail off.
Don’t be afraid to haggle - Some DJs may be willing to negotiate when it comes to pricing. If their asking price is higher than your budget, don’t be afraid to try and negotiate to come up with something more manageable.
Don’t personalise the playlist – Most DJs offer personalisation at a higher price. If you want a DJ, but not at a premium cost, then let them take control of the playlist. You can guide them on the ‘vibe’ of the event, to still get a great result.
Pick a DJ that lives close by – Otherwise, if they must travel a long way, your price will increase.
Offer to help with equipment – This could include providing the equipment yourself, if you’ve got it. Or it might involve transporting it between two different places in a van that you own. Discuss with your DJ whether this would be helpful, and how price could be moved down as a result.
It’s not always recommended that you ask a friend to help you with DJing. But if you’re thinking about, we’ve explained the key things to consider below.
If your goal is to cut costs no matter what, this is a common question to ask. Today's technology allows for more DIY options; a Spotify playlist can sometimes substitute but at the cost of atmosphere and the dynamic interaction a good DJ brings. Going digital with a less experienced and technically equipped DJ can also unlock savings but remember that quality is the most important thing. There’s no formal qualification or license needed for someone to be a DJ. In this sense, asking a friend is plausible. But you may run into issues, such as:
Poor mixing of the songs
Equipment not working
Sound levels aren’t right
Lack of interaction with the attendees
Feeling the pressure of the occasion!
It goes without saying that the ‘stakes’ at some events are higher than others. If you’re hosting a relaxed house party, asking a friend to DJ is often not a problem. But on your wedding day – a professional DJ is always the best way to go.
You should consider your budget, the importance of the occasion, and which friends might be good at fulfilling this role. All of these will weigh into your decision.
The average rating for Bark DJs is 4.91, based on 102,626 reviews
5/5
based on 102,626 reviews
