At noon, I stood on the cobblestones at Piazza Carignano. The blazing Italian sun was muted by the shadow of a building. There was no stage: just me, the street, and the magic. Except this wasn’t a regular show: This was the World Championship of Street Magic.
In 2025, street magic debuted at FISM as one of two new demonstration categories. Over 100 applied; 29 were invited to Torino. Twenty-five showed up. Twelve made it to the finals.
Most FISM competitors spend years preparing. We had six months. For us in this brand new category, there were no roadmaps telling us what to do. For next time, though, you’ll have our experiences to guide your way.
Author Felice Ling performing during the competition in Torino
The Roadmap to FISM Street Magic
First and foremost: Make sure you have a 20 to 25-minute street magic show.
Officially, the street magic category had the same criteria as the others: technique, showmanship, entertainment, artistic impression, originality, and atmosphere.
Unofficially, the most important criteria was: Is this a street magic show?
Not all of the competitors had the same definition of a street show. A fellow competitor in the pre-finals told me: “We are performing on the street. This is a street show!”
Simply being on the street, however, does not a street show make. Acts that could have fit into the FISM stage category didn't make it through the pre-finals round. Acts that would thrive in a festival environment but struggle in an urban environment also didn't make the cut.
If you’re not sure: Take your show to Covent Garden, Faneuil Hall, or any public space with pedestrian traffic. If you can gather a crowd, perform your full show, and get paid—you’re on the right track.
When I asked third place winner Matthew Keys what advice he would give, he said: “The most important thing you can do is to get out on the streets and learn the art of street performance. Don’t waste time creating a ‘competition’ magic act to perform on the streets.”
A Grueling Schedule
The competition consisted of:
The Pre-Finals: One day performing in a city outside Torino with two 20 to25-minute sets. Since we weren’t near our lodgings, we stayed outdoors the entire day, watching the other five acts twice. The next day we performed our set in front of the judges in Torino.
A Demo for FISM Attendees: On Wednesday of FISM week, the finalists each performed one set at the Palace of Venaria during the “white party,” where attendees (mostly magicians) dressed in white. We were divided between three spots and each given a 20-minute slot.
The Finals: A repeat of our pre-finals day in Torino, but now we knew what to expect. If we had a bad time slot or spot during the pre-finals, we had a better one this time. Still, we faced the unpredictable: rain, barking dogs, crying babies.
The World Champions of Street Magic
At the finals, World Champion Eric Evans (USA) performed under harsh conditions: 10:30 a.m., scorching sun, and sparse foot traffic. Still, he delivered a world-class show. A student of Jim Cellini and author of street performing book, The Secret Art of Magic: Street Magic and the Art of War, Eric lived up to his reputation as a street performing legend tenfold and deservedly won the first place prize.
LEFT: The Charming Jay RIGHT: Matthew Keys
Second place winner, The Charming Jay (Korea), performed a silent magic act blending clowning, mime, and playfulness. His show demonstrated the variety of magic acts that can exist and thrive on the street.
Third place winner, Matthew Keys (Ireland), had a tight show with playful visual magic and comedy. In the finals, he embodied one of the street performer's most vital skills: dealing with the unpredictable. When a baby burst into tears, he calmed her with breadsticks.
To become a world champion of street magic: Work at it for years. Eric Evans has been street performing for over three decades. The Charming Jay has been a street magician for “only” 11 years. Matthew Keys developed his street act over the course of eight years. My street act has similarly been the result of a decade of work. These aren’t acts developed just for FISM; they are acts honed over thousands of performances in front of real people.
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring FISM Street Magic competitors, Eric said: “Always be kind. Besides the advice to work the street as much as humanly possible, just enjoy the moments. The pages of our lives should be relished with joy and kindness, with a touch of rebelliousness.”
The other winners echoed this sentiment: share joy, stay safe, don’t let anyone exploit you.
Street magic is about using the skills of the magician to connect with people. It’s about presence, delighting in the unexpected, and forging authentic moments. So you want to be a FISM street magician? Go outside and hit the streets today.
All photos by and courtesy of Mattia “Flip” Bidoli, who was also a 2025 FISM Street Magic judge.
Loved this story? Read more about Ling’s experience at FISM and follow her first-time experience at the World Championship of Street Magic competition by visiting her blog.