The Magic Flute

About this experience

Book The Magic Flute tickets for the Metropolitan Opera's holiday presentation at Lincoln Center, a beloved New York tradition that runs 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027. Julie Taymor, the Tony Award-winning director of Broadway's The Lion King, created this abridged, English-language version of Mozart's fairy tale, with giant puppets, vivid costumes and soaring sets. At about 90 minutes with no intermission, it is the perfect first opera for children and adults alike. The Magic Flute: the story Prince Tamino is rescued from a serpent by three mysterious ladies, who serve the Queen of the Night. She shows him a portrait of her daughter Pamina, held captive by the priest Sarastro, and sends him to rescue her, armed with a magic flute. With him goes Papageno, a cheerful bird-catcher with a set of magic bells who longs for a wife of his own. But in Sarastro's temple, nothing is quite what the Queen said, and the lovers must pass trials of silence, fire and water. Mozart's opera premiered at the Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna in 1791, about two months before his death. The Magic Flute cast and production at the Met The holiday performances share two casts. Pamina is sung by Emily Pogorelc, Emma Marhefka or Kathryn Lewek, and the Queen of the Night by Olga Pudova, Jeni Houser or Kathryn Lewek. Piotr Buszewski and David Portillo share Tamino, Rolando Villazón and Gordon Bintner share Papageno, and Morris Robinson and In Sung Sim share Sarastro. Nicholas Carter and Patrick Furrer conduct. Julie Taymor directed and designed the costumes, with sets by George Tsypin and puppets by Taymor and Michael Curry. J. D. McClatchy wrote the English adaptation. The Magic Flute dates, running time and language Performances are on 11, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 26, 28 and 30 December 2026 and 2 January 2027, with two shows on 26 December and 2 January. Most are daytime matinees starting between 11am and 2pm, including a 12pm Christmas Eve show, with evening performances on 11 and 17 December (7pm) and 26 December and 2 January (6pm). The 26 December matinee is a relaxed performance. The Met estimates 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission. It is sung in English, with Met Titles in English, German or Spanish, and the Met suggests it for all ages. Family extras and booking The Magic Flute tickets Every performance has free activity books and themed photo spots in the lobby, there is face painting before matinees, and Holiday Open Houses take place before the 13 and 19 December performances. Children need their own tickets. Grand Tier and Dress Circle seats give little ones a clear view over the rows in front, and the Balcony and Family Circle are the best value for families. See our Met Opera seating guide. The Magic Flute tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled once booked, so check your date before you pay. Plan your Magic Flute holiday visit The Magic Flute plays the Metropolitan Opera House at 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, next to the 66 St-Lincoln Center subway station. Arrive early for the lobby activities. Read our Magic Flute at the Met guide and Christmas at the Met Opera 2026 for everything on over the holidays, including La Bohème tickets and La Fanciulla del West tickets on New Year's Eve. Browse all Metropolitan Opera tickets.

Highlights

• The Met's holiday tradition, in English and about 90 minutes long
• Julie Taymor's production with giant puppets and vivid costumes
• Suggested for all ages, with family activities in the lobby
• Christmas Eve matinee and a relaxed performance on 26 December
• Runs 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027

Before you go

Venue Metropolitan Opera House, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 Dates 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027 Language Sung in English. Met Titles seat-back screens show translations in English, German or Spanish Estimated running time 1 hour 30 minutes, with no intermission Arrival The house opens 45 minutes before curtain. Latecomers are seated only at an intermission Casting Met productions play in repertory and casting can change Age guidance Suggested for all ages. Every child needs a ticket Relaxed performance 26 December matinee Getting there 66 St-Lincoln Center station (1 train) is next to Lincoln Center Plaza

Cancellation terms

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.