Preview: Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Make it More Than Magic at the Sydney Opera House

If you are running out of ideas for Christmas gifts that are not more stuff, here is a crowd pleaser for partners, older kids and the impossible to buy for: tickets to see world renowned magician and mentalist Asi Wind live at the Sydney Opera House in 2026. Think less socks and scented candles, more jaw dropping, how did he do that moments you will still be talking about next Christmas.

Who is Asi Wind and why is everyone obsessed?

Asi Wind is not your average card trick guy at a kids party. He is an award winning magician and internationally acclaimed mentalist whose work has sold out Off Broadway and wowed audiences in London’s West End. The New York Times has called him “one of the greatest magicians of our time” and he has been named Magician of the Year by Hollywood’s Magic Castle. His Off Broadway show Inner Circle became a New York Times Critics’ Pick and ran for more than 450 performances. Now he is finally bringing his new show More Than Magic to Sydney for his Australian debut.

What is More Than Magic actually like?

More Than Magic is designed as an immersive, intimate experience that feels less like watching a distant stage show and more like being pulled into a live mystery. Using nothing more than a deck of cards, a few envelopes and a willing audience, Wind creates a series of moments that sit right on the edge of belief. One minute he might be solving two Rubik’s cubes at once while blindfolded, the next memorising a crowd shuffled deck of cards in under thirty seconds, or leading the room in song. A card ends up inside a wallet, vanishes under a watch, or reveals itself in a place it has absolutely no business being. His reputation for being able to “force” a card with almost impossible accuracy is the stuff of magician legend. It is clever, playful and very human – you are not just watching tricks, you are watching how people react to them.

Why it is perfect for parents, teens and date nights

This is a show that lands beautifully in that sweet spot for families with older kids and teens. Recommended for ages 12 plus, it is smart, clean entertainment that will completely hook anyone who loves puzzles, mind games and a bit of theatre. For parents, it is also a brilliant excuse to book a proper night out. Picture this: an early dinner by the harbour, a sunset stroll around the Opera House, then ninety minutes of shared “what just happened” moments that drag everyone’s eyes off their phone screens. It works as: date night gift – wrap the tickets with a deck of cards and a note that says “Let’s run away to the Opera House for an adults only night of magic”; parent and teen one on one night – especially for kids who love magic, chess, strategy games or true crime podcasts; group outing – get a few friends together, book the same session and make it a whole night in the city. Experiences like this tend to stick in kids’ memories far more than another gadget.

Make a full harbour night of it

Westpac OpenAir has the harbour cinema side of summer covered, but Asi Wind will be taking over The Playhouse inside the Opera House with all the cosy, theatre kid energy. The beauty of gifting tickets to a show here is that you can build a complete “experience voucher” around it. Think pre show dinner at one of the Opera House restaurants, drinks on the concourse, a wander around Circular Quay or The Rocks afterwards if you are kid free, or a special dessert stop for tweens and teens before heading home. For out of town relatives, tickets are the perfect anchor to a weekend trip to Sydney. It is the kind of present that says “I want to spend time with you” not just “I bought this in a rush at the shops”.

Key details to know before you book

Venue: The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
Dates: 23 February – 1 March 2026
Tickets: All tickets 99 dollars, with an optional VIP Meet & Greet add on for 65 dollars extra for the super fans who want to get even closer to the magic
Recommended age: 12 plus

If you have a magic obsessed tween, a partner who loves clever live shows, or parents who “do not need anything,” this is a gift that feels special without adding to the clutter. Instead of another toy that breaks by January, you are gifting awe, laughter, and a seriously impressive night out in one of the most iconic buildings in the world.