Browse 30 singing telegrams available for hire worldwide, from costumed birthday grams to anniversary serenades delivered at home, in a restaurant or across the office floor. Every performance is built around the recipient: a personalised song, a spoken message from you, and enough showmanship to turn an ordinary afternoon into the story everyone retells for years. With 54 reviews from real clients averaging 5 out of 5, these performers have surprised thousands of unsuspecting guests of honour.
Because a singing telegram is a short visit rather than a full live set, it costs less than most live entertainment: a straightforward song delivery starts from $70, while most bookings come in around $200. Many services offer themed costumes, custom-written verses and group formats, and the best will help you plan the delivery down to the minute so the secret holds.
Tell us about your event and we'll suggest suppliers, or talk to our team.
Choose a country to see suppliers who work there.
A singing telegram is a short live performance delivered as a surprise message: the performer arrives unannounced, names the sender and the occasion, and sings to the recipient in front of whoever happens to be watching. The idea is usually credited to a 1933 publicity stunt in which a telegraph operator sang a birthday greeting to the crooner Rudy Vallee, and the in-person version has been delighting and gently embarrassing recipients ever since. A modern booking runs anywhere from a single song to a fifteen-minute mini-show with props, costume changes and a custom verse about the guest of honour.
The classic approach is a solo singer in evening wear, but the modern roster stretches far wider. Costumed character grams draw on the same skills as celebrity impersonators, arriving as a screen icon or music legend chosen for the recipient. Harmony fans can send a barbershop-style quartet, a tradition kept alive by a cappella groups, while a mariachi telegram from mariachi and Latin acts turns a quiet office into a fiesta in seconds. Performers with theatre training, including many Broadway style singers, handle show-tune requests and big finales particularly well.
Birthdays lead the bookings, especially workplace deliveries where colleagues double as the audience. Anniversaries, retirements, graduations and Valentine's Day fill most of the rest of the calendar, and a few brave romantics book one to propose. The common thread is an audience: a singing telegram lands best when there are people around to watch the recipient's face. For seated dinners and wedding receptions, the related singing waiters format achieves the same reveal with performers posing as staff before breaking into song.
Fees run from $70 to $550+, with most bookings around $200. The price reflects travel distance, the character or costume requested, and how much custom material you order: an adapted standard costs less than fully rewritten lyrics about the recipient's golf swing. Group formats such as quartets and mariachi bands sit at the upper end, and many soloists charge less for weekday daytime deliveries, which suits office surprises well.
The average price for Singing Telegrams is $200 (USD). Above you will also find a budget price and high end price. Contact the supplier you like for an accurate quote.
Based on 151 enquiries for Singing Telegrams at events in every location, made through this site in the last two years. Updated 8 October 2026.
Laura R
"We enjoyed Laura’s line up of music and great singing, she took our requests and made it a successful event. Highly Recommend"
Singing Telegrams
"Josh is such a professional performer! He was performing for a retiring physician at the medical office during the lunch hour. It was important for him to be on time, be aware of any patients still in the office and discretely get past the front office gals. He made it back to the doctors office, gave an outstanding performance for the doctors and staff. He sang wonderfully and totally entertained everyone there. Thank you so much Josh, for making the Dr.s last day at the office memorable!"
Jenny’s Music Studio
"We were absolutely blown away by our violinist, Julian, at my daughter’s wedding. The music created such a magical atmosphere from the ceremony to the reception. Every song was played beautifully and our guests couldn’t stop talking about how much it elevated the day. Professional, talented, and truly gifted, having him perform was one of the best decisions we made. He didn’t just play music he created memories we will treasure forever."
AnnLee Bishop
"Great music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Trio Fratelli
"Wow—just WOW!!! Made our party feel like a concert! Total pros. Classy, harmonies to die for, then a high-energy dance vibe—but so elegant! They even performed songs on the fly when I asked. Definitely want them again!"
Happy Gram Singing Telegrams
"Diane D. - "Hi there! I am sorry that I am just getting this sent, but I wanted to let you know that my husband LOVED the Comedy Chicken (and so did his entire office staff)! He is a very shy man and being the center of attention like that is not in his comfort zone - but he told me countless times that it was awesome!!!! I saw the video and I LOVED it. He also loved the caricature!! You guys are the best - so talented and so professional. I will be reaching out to you again for sure (as I am sure many in his office will do as well)!!! Thanks so much for making my husband's big day so fun!!!""
