Every birthday party gives you an excuse to celebrate and be surrounded by your closest loved ones. But it’s also the perfect place to get lost in the music and have a blast on the dance floor.

While you can depend on good old-fashioned Spotify, there is something special about hiring a professional DJ to spin a custom playlist. When you have a DJ for birthday parties in the house, you can expect:

  • An energetic soundscape
  • Positive vibes
  • Great mood to set the stage
  • Complimentary theme

Imagine a Halloween birthday party with a spooky twist or a 90s throwback event featuring Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys. DJs can bring a unique touch to your gatherings–one that a pre-curated tracklist can’t mimic.

If you’re considering a DJ for a birthday party, keep reading for our ultimate guide to planning a Chicago birthday bash with a skilled pro!

Why a DJ is Essential for Your Upcoming Birthday

DJs have an important task: They must engage the crowd and play music that keeps people moving and hungry for more. If a song doesn’t vibe with the guests, your DJ should be able to read the room and transition to the next hit effortlessly.

An amateur DJ may not know how to match beats and make transitions without it being noticeable. They may be able to gauge the mood, but ensuring it doesn’t throw off their game is another matter.

As for using YouTube or Spotify free plans, you can expect abrupt interruptions in your playlist for ads. What better way to ruin an exciting moment than with a commercial about hair products?

Instead of dealing with these unpredictable scenarios, consider hiring a skilled DJ for birthday parties who can:

  • Personalize your celebration playlist.
  • Seamlessly transition from song to song.
  • Maintain the energy and ensure everyone is having fun.
  • Read and match the audience.
  • Make announcements for activities.

Costs to Hire a DJ for a Birthday Party

What’s the general scale of costs? If you have a budget in mind, you’ll want to get clear on quotes for your entertainment. Fortunately, we can summarize the averages on DJ costs for birthday parties for you!

According to Fash, the average DJ service for general parties and corporate events ranges from $300-$800, while birthdays and anniversaries may fall in the $250-$1,000 category.

Note: These averages may not reflect the prices of DJ services in Chicago and beyond.
Some factors that contribute to the final quote may include:

Event type: Weddings and corporate events typically cost more because they require additional time, attention, and planning.

Date and season: Like the wedding industry, there are seasons where prices increase due to demand. For instance, hiring a DJ for a birthday party during the holidays or on the weekends may be more expensive.

DJing experience: Experience can define rates, especially if a DJ is well-established and has an extensive resume under their belt. On the other hand, junior-level DJs will likely charge less but may still provide a solid service.

Event duration: Some DJs may charge hourly. Final rates will depend on how long they service your event. If this is the case, map out your birthday party timeline to see how long you require their services, from setup to breakdown.

High-quality equipment: Depending on the size of your event, your DJ may require additional equipment to enhance your experience, such as speakers, microphones, and lighting design.

Want to experience the best Momentz of your birthday party? Grab a quote from our team today!

Do You Tip a DJ for Birthday Parties?

You may wonder about tipping etiquette when hiring a local DJ for a birthday extravaganza. What are the guidelines, and how much do you tip?

The average tip ranges from 10-20% of the entertainment service. But what you tip depends on your satisfaction level.

Consider these elements as you calculate your DJ’s tip:

Preparation process: How was your experience from start to finish? Was everything well planned and executed? Did your final playlist represent your vision?

Experience and expertise: A pro will come prepared with high-quality equipment, ensuring your sound is as good as the look of your event. They will also use their knowledge to make your birthday party dynamic so you can soak in each moment.

Custom party playlist: Did your DJ play beats that matched the mood and vibe of your event? Did they feature all of your top favorite artists? If you’re happy with the overall soundscape, you can show appreciation through your tip.

MC Skills: Keeping everyone engaged throughout an event is a challenging feat. Watch them as they hype the crowd and put extra energy into their announcements.

Top DJ Songs for a Birthday Party: Creating a Playlist for Every Generation

Whether you’re planning an epic party for your kids, teenagers, or loved ones, you can never go wrong with a memorable DJ birthday party mix. But just because there’s a popular song or artist doesn’t mean they’re the right choice for the special event.

Every generation has a lineup that sparks excitement and nostalgia. But it takes a true pro to help customize the perfect balance of DJ songs for a birthday party.

Take a peek at our list of recommendations if you’re searching for the right sound for your upcoming celebration!

Fun Songs for Kid Birthday Parties

Entertaining a group of 5-10 year olds? Keep the energy light with interactive tunes like:

  • “Cha-Cha Slide” – DJ Casper
  • “Hokey Pokey”
  • “Baby Shark” – Pinkfong
  • “A-Hunting We Will Go”

You can also include “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams for some modern hits.

If you host a birthday party for older children, consider allowing song requests so the DJ can play some of their favorite anthems of the year.

DJ Birthday Party Mix for Teens

Planning a birthday event for your teenager? You can have your birthday DJ dip into the latest songs hitting the charts.

A DJ for a 16th birthday party or 18th birthday party will likely curate a playlist featuring:

  • “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
  • “Expresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
  • “360” – Charli XCX
  • “bad idea right?” – Olivia Rodrigo
  • “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
  • “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
  • “Wake Me Up” – Avicii

Many of these songs have the perfect energy to keep your kids dancing and singing for the entire celebration. But if you want to ensure your playlist is airtight, consider submitting your teen’s go-to songs so we can create a tracklist that slaps.

General DJ Songs for Birthday Party

Some of the best tunes are timeless and resonate with all generations. If you need more ideas for a DJ birthday party mix, you can include the following:

  • “I Want You Back” – The Jackson 5
  • “Love On Top” – Beyoncé
  • “Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey
  • “Thriller” – Michael Jackson
  • “In Da Club” – 50 Cent
  • “I Gotta Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas
  • “Party in the U.S.A.” – Miley Cyrus

Do you have any overplayed songs you and your friends can’t stand? Create a Do Not Play list and share it with your DJ before the birthday party.

5 Secret Ingredients for Curating a Hot Playlist for Your Birthday

A skilled DJ for birthday parties can get through the harshest critics. To achieve this, they may focus on the following while developing the ultimate tracklist:

The crowd: Who the DJ performs for will significantly impact the songs they play or skip. It’s all about knowing the audience and trends and spinning tracks that match the demographic.

The unique mood and vibe: Whether you want a dance party or a laid-back event, your DJ should try aligning with your vision. If you have a specific musical journey in mind, be sure to discuss your ideas with your entertainment team.

Your cultural background: Want to pay homage to your roots through your music? An expert will draw inspiration from celebrated sounds and artists from your culture and infuse it into your playlist.

The flow of your birthday event: As MCs and collaborators, they can help plan your gathering’s timeline through announcements and a musical journey.

Song requests from guests: If you want to involve your friends and family, you can allow them to submit their favorite songs. A pro will listen to suggestions, ensure they don’t conflict with the Do Not Play list, and glide smoothly into the following submission.

Finding the Perfect DJ for Birthday Parties in Chicago

Hiring a professional entertainer for your birthday bash is one of the best ways to cater to your guests, maintain an upbeat sound, and blend many music genres.

As you dive into your research, be sure to consider the following:

  • Event date, time, and season
  • Duration of the performance
  • Any additional equipment you may require

A general idea of these factors will ensure you hire a DJ that matches your budget.

If you have any additional questions and want to see if we’re available for your upcoming event, leave a message for us here!