Top 10+ Occasions to Book a Face Painter | From Kids’ Parties to Festivals

Valinda Voogt
Sep 6
5 min read

Are you planning a party and looking for that extra touch of magic? Hiring a face painter instantly makes any event more memorable. Whether it’s a kids’ birthday party, a large festival, or a community event, face painting adds color, creativity, and joy for both children and adults.

Party planners often focus on venue, food, and music, but entertainment is what truly creates lasting memories. A professional face painter brings smiles, amazing photos, and interactive fun that everyone enjoys. Children love being transformed into their favorite animals or heroes, while adults can shine with glitter bars and festival-style looks.

In this guide, you’ll discover more than ten perfect occasions throughout the year when booking a face painter is a great idea. From classic events like birthdays, Halloween, and Carnival to special celebrations such as weddings and corporate parties—find out when face painting can make your event unforgettable.

Kids’ Birthday Parties – the most popular moment for a face painter

Booking a face painter for a kids’ birthday party is always a success. Children love becoming a tiger, princess, or superhero for a day. With professional face paint, they can truly immerse themselves in their role.

Themed parties are even more fun: think of a mermaid party, a pirate adventure, or an unicorn party. A face painter can tailor designs perfectly to the theme, making the experience even stronger. Plus, face painting keeps children calm while they wait their turn, which parents appreciate as well.

A kids’ party with a face painter always guarantees happy faces and beautiful photos.

Birthday Celebrations for Young and Old

Face painting isn’t just for kids. Teens and adults also enjoy trying something new. A glitter bar is a real hit at teen parties, and festival-style makeup adds a cheerful and festive vibe to adult birthdays.

A face painter personalizes the celebration by tailoring looks to each guest. Everyone gets a unique style, and it instantly sparks conversations. It’s the perfect way to make a birthday feel extra special.

Carnival – colorful face painting for everyone

Carnival is the ultimate moment to go all out with face paint. From colorful masks and clowns to imaginative designs—anything goes. Children love playful animals or fairy-tale characters, while adults enjoy bold, creative looks that complete their outfit.

Hiring a face painter for Carnival also saves time. No struggling in front of the mirror, but a professional look that lasts all day (and night).

Halloween – from spooky to family-friendly

Halloween and face painting are a golden combination. From scary zombies and bloody wounds to friendly pumpkins or glittery witches: anything is possible with face paint.

For kids’ parties, designs can be softer and more playful so little ones don’t get scared. Think of cats, bats, or fairy-tale characters with a spooky twist. For adults, a face painter can go all-in with realistic horror looks.

With a professional face painter, you don’t have to worry about the outcome—your guests are guaranteed to look amazing.

Sinterklaas Celebrations – extra magic for children

Sinterklaas is all about excitement and experience. Face painting adds a festive touch with stars, presents, or glitter details in red, yellow, and gold.

For schools, companies, or community events, hiring a face painter is an easy way to delight children. It’s often the activity kids rush to first.

Corporate Parties or Team Events with Glitter and Glamour

Adults also love to be surprised. A face painter or glitter bar at a company party creates a lighthearted and festive atmosphere. It’s an original activity that brings people closer together and adds a joyful vibe.

Colleagues who usually only see each other in work attire suddenly sparkle with glitter and face gems. It results not only in fun photos but also in memories people talk about long afterward.

Weddings or Anniversaries – surprising entertainment for guests

Having a face painter at a wedding might sound unexpected, but it’s actually a fantastic surprise for guests. Glitter bars are especially popular during evening parties. While the band plays or the DJ sets the mood, guests can get a festive makeover.

For children at the event, face painting is a perfect way to keep them entertained. Adults enjoy the celebration, while the little ones have fun too. A face painter adds that extra bit of magic to weddings and anniversaries.

Festivals or Markets – adding excitement for larger audiences

Festivals and markets thrive on atmosphere and experience. A face painter is an excellent addition. Kids love cheerful animals and fantasy characters, while adults often go for glitter looks or neon designs that glow under blacklight.

For organizers, a face painter helps keep visitors engaged longer and offers a unique experience. It’s low-threshold entertainment, eye-catching, and suitable for all kinds of events.

Community or School Events – connecting people with fun

Face painting is perfect for community or school events. It brings people together, creates happy faces, and adds a festive vibe. Children are eager to line up for a colorful transformation while parents enjoy the cheerful atmosphere.

At schools, a face painter is often the highlight of annual celebrations. It’s affordable entertainment that makes a big difference in how the event is experienced.

Themed Parties – tailored designs for every theme

Whether it’s a princess party, a pirate adventure, or a superhero night, a face painter makes a themed party complete. Designs are customized to fit the chosen theme perfectly, making the whole experience more immersive.

Themed parties are popular with children, but more and more adults choose them as well for birthdays or company outings. Face painting is the ideal way to get everyone into the right mood from the start.

Holidays (Christmas & New Year’s Eve) – sparkling looks

A face painter is also a great addition to holiday celebrations. Children love snowflakes, Christmas trees, or stars, while adults can enjoy glamorous glitter looks or festive makeup for a Christmas party or New Year’s Eve.

Face painting makes the holiday season even more special and creates stunning photos to close out the year in style.

Frequently Asked Questions About Booking a Face Painter

How far in advance should I book a face painter?

It’s best to book at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance, especially around popular times such as Carnival, Halloween, and spring or summer birthday parties. For larger events or holidays, booking even earlier may be necessary.

What ages is face painting suitable for?

Face painting is suitable for children from about 3 years old. Teens and adults also enjoy face painting or a glitter bar, for example at festivals, weddings, or corporate parties.

How many children can a face painter paint per hour?

On average, a face painter can paint 8 to 12 children per hour, depending on the complexity of the designs. For larger groups, hiring an additional face painter can be a good solution.

Is face paint safe for the skin?

Yes. Professional face paints are specially developed for use on the skin, dermatologically tested, and comply with European cosmetic regulations. When booking, make sure your artist uses only safe, skin-friendly products.

Can I hire a face painter for an outdoor event?

Yes, many face painters work at outdoor venues such as festivals, markets, or community events. Just ensure there’s a sheltered spot with enough shade or a canopy so the paint can be applied properly.

How much does it cost to hire a face painter?

The price depends on the length of the event, the location, and the type of face painting (for example, basic designs, glitter bar, or neon looks). Always request a quote to get a clear idea of the costs.

Book Your Face Painter Today for an Unforgettable Event

Want to give your next celebration that extra touch? Book a face painter and turn any event into a memorable experience. From kids’ birthdays to festivals, and from weddings to corporate parties—there’s always a perfect reason to add a little color and sparkle.