Back to Hogwarts, the annual “Harry Potter” fan event, is set to return this year in a slightly new format.
While in-person events will be taking place in select locations, Warner Bros. Discovery are discouraging fans from traveling to Kings Cross train station in London, where previous celebrations have taken place.
Taking place on Sept. 1 (the day Hogwarts pupils traditionally take the train from London to school), the event began as an adhoc gathering of fans each year in London and has since morphed into an annual extravaganza now backed by WBD.
Last year’s event saw thousands of fans, many in costumes and carrying wands, descend on Kings Cross, causing issues for passengers trying to catch their trains.
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WBD have stressed that there will be no event, departure board or countdown at the station this year, and have instead directed fans in the U.K. to celebrate via the official “Harry Potter” YouTube channel from 11am onwards.
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In New York, however, there will be a Back to Hogwarts pop up in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal between Aug. 30 and Sept. 1 with various themed activities culminating in a ticketed countdown on the final day.
To celebrate Back to Hogwarts, the eight “Harry Potter” films will also return to theaters across the world for a limited time between now and Sept 1. (check local listings), while on Sept. 1 fans will be able to access two new “Harry Potter”-themed lenses on Snapchat, and in select cities across the world fans will be able to see what the Hogwarts Express looks like against five iconic landmarks (the Eiffel Tower, Copacabana Fort, The National Gallery, Grand Central Terminal and the Hachiko Statue, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 9).
Fans can also expect a slew of special events including digital activities, in-person events and watch-alongs while “Harry Potter” locations – including the three Warner Bros. Studio Tours, the Wizarding World theme parks and various traveling experiences – will host special “celebratory moments.”
The Lego Company will also be getting in on the action at retail stores and on Lego.com.
Check out some of the events around the world below:
U.K.
• “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’s” movement director Tash Holway will host a Wand Dance Workshop (see Cursed Child website for details)
• House of MinaLima is giving away special button badges (while supplies last) on Sept. 1 with other surprises in store
• WBD is organizing a variety of competitions including a trip to the U.K. Studio Tour and other goodies. See wizardingworld.com for more info.
U.S.
• A free Hogwarts pop-up is taking place at Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
• On Sept. 1, there will also be a live hosted 11am countdown moment which fans will need a free ticket to attend, further details on how to register interest will be announced soon.
EUROPE
• In France, a special Quidditch themed event is taking place at Parvis de la Part-Dieu in Lyon on Aug. 31
• In Germany, a special fan event will be held outside the Theatre at Hamburg’s Großmarkt, the German home of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Sept. 1. Fans are also encouraged to head to the “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” in Munich and Wizarding World by Thalia store.
• In Italy, there will be an 11am countdown and other exciting surprises at the Galleria Alberto Sordi in Rome on Sept. 1
• In Spain there will be a special event in Madrid between Aug. 30 and Sept. 1 including photo opps and surprises (exact location TBC).
ASIA
• In China, fans are invited to head to Changsha for a Back to Hogwarts celebration where there is a host of activities in store from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, including photo opportunities, artwork displays, and stalls selling Harry Potter merchandise.
• In Macau, fans can celebrate Back to Hogwarts at “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” and explore various Hogwarts-inspired-galleries.
• In Japan, on Sept. 1, lucky fans can join a special 11am countdown at Platform 9 ¾ in Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.
ONLINE
• Fans can tune in to the official Harry Potter YouTube channel on Sept. 1 at 10:30am BST / 05:30am ET for the annual Showcase of news on the year ahead including updates from Warner Bros. Games, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Destinations & Experiences, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Harry Potter publishers, Scholastic, Pottermore and Bloomsbury.
