You’re Invited to the Back to Hogwarts Celebration

by · August 24, 2022

Make sure to fuel up your Ford Anglia, because you won’t want to be late to King’s Cross station this year. On September 1, Harry Potter fans will have the opportunity to celebrate the start of the new term with exciting performances, exhibitions, and photo opportunities. Though Back to Hogwarts celebrations have been digital for the past two years, the Wizarding World is now thrilled to offer both in-person and online opportunities to participate.

The Back to Hogwarts in-person events will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting Thursday, September 1, and running through Sunday, September 4. There will be a myriad of magical amusements, such as Wand Combat workshops taught by the Harry Potter film series’ wand choreographer, Paul Harris. He will be training prospective members of Dumbledore’s Army to ward off Death Eaters, a necessary back-to-school skill set.

After the workshops, fans can watch the London cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child perform an enchanting version of the Wand Dance. They can also join in the countdown to the 11:00 departure of the Hogwarts Express, marked by the station’s departure board and periodic announcements.

There will be plenty of opportunities for photos as well. Two giant-scale replicas of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book, with the original cover art by Thomas Taylor, will be on display and ready for selfies. Fans also won’t want to miss getting a picture with LEGO big builds of the Sorting Hat and Mr. Weasley’s Ford Anglia. A Hogwarts Express video booth will also be at the platform, allowing Muggles and wizards alike to see themselves sitting in the iconic carriage. This is the perfect opportunity to share the experience on social media using the hashtag #BackToHogwarts.

Though Professor Snape would certainly disapprove, there will be much foolish wand-waving post-countdown with additional classes conducted by Paul Harris. Select witches and wizards will be able to exercise their wand arms in Defense Against the Dark Arts training sessions from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

 

 

Fans who can’t make it to King’s Cross station will still be able to celebrate via special digital events. Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) will be hosting Back to Hogwarts LIVE, a livestreamed tour of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Join Tom on TikTok at @wizardingworld and @t22felton on September 1 at 7:00 p.m. BST.

Finally, a new school year comes with new announcements. Tune in on September 1 at 6:20 p.m. BST to watch a special presentation about Wizarding World news and updates. Fans can expect information on Hogwarts Legacy, a new magical product, and upcoming live experiences.

Start packing your trunk; the Back to Hogwarts celebration is just a week away.

Press Release
HARRY POTTER FANS INVITED TO JOIN BACK TO HOGWARTS CELEBRATIONS AS A NEW TERM BEGINS
 
● From 1st to 4th September, the magic will return to London’s King’s Cross [s]tation with exciting photo opportunities, interactive performances and a live countdown
● Celebrating the moment when the Hogwarts Express departs from King’s Cross’s [p]latform [n]ine and [t]hree[-q]uarters for a new school year, the in-person event will see [t]he LEGO® Group and Bloomsbury Publishing exhibiting, as well as dynamic performances from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London’s Death Eaters and cast of hit show Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
● The fun continues online – set your calendars to join this year’s Back [t]o Hogwarts events on TikTok and YouTube

24th AUGUST 2022 – Returning for another year on 1st September, the Wizarding World’s much-loved Back to Hogwarts celebrations will return to London’s King’s Cross with a live event and exhibition boasting fun performances [and] exciting photo opportunities and culminating with a live countdown - perfect for Muggles, [w]itches and [w]izards of all ages!

25 years ago, J.K. Rowling introduced us to the mysterious [p]latform [n]ine and [t]here[-q]uarters [and] the scarlet Hogwarts Express and explained the significance of an 11:00 am departure in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Since then, the Harry Potter series, which has sold over 600 million copies worldwide, been translated into over 80 languages and [been] brought to life on[-]screen in 8 blockbuster films, has built a global community of dedicated fans.

Having begun as an organic fan celebration, Back to Hogwarts is now recognised globally as a moment for fans of all ages to come together in celebration, and this year, the Wizarding World is proud to present a host of exciting in-person and digital ways to get involved…

Back [t]o Hogwarts at King’s Cross Station – 1st September – 4th September: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Gryffindors, Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs alike are invited to don their robes, dust off their wands and head to Kings Cross from 09:00 am for a morning of fun and must-see live entertainment!

Fans can participate in special Wand Combat workshops (led by Paul Harris, the [w]and [c]horeographer responsible for the instantly recognisable wand combat seen in several of the Harry Potter films) as he teaches prospective Dumbledore’s Army members how to ward off Death Eaters and perfect their best Defence Against the Dark Arts stance.

Following the workshops, the West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will perform a special version of the popular ‘wand dance’ as seen in the multi-award-winning stage play.

But that’s not all – fans are encouraged to gather and join a live countdown (hosted by some special guests) as the departure board signalling the train to Hogsmeade is lit up and station announcements build in anticipation for the 11:00 am departure of the iconic train as it makes its way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry ready for another year of adventure.

Until the 4th [of] September, visitors to the station will also be able to grab selfies with two one[-]and[-]a[-]half[-]metre[-]tall, giant-scale book replicas of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (featuring Thomas Taylor’s cover art, first published by Bloomsbury in 1997, together with the classic Johnny Duddle special 25th Anniversary edition), as well as pose for photos with impressive LEGO® Harry Potter big builds of the Hogwarts Sorting Hat and Mr Weasley’s blue Ford Anglia.

For fans who have dreamt of making their own journey to Hogwarts, a brand-new Hogwarts Express video booth will enable them to see themselves sitting in the very carriage graced by Harry, Ron and Hermione! Passengers can share their content on social media by tagging #BACKTOHOGWARTS.

Wands at the ready! The fun continues after the countdown as [w]and [c]horeographer Paul Harris will be instructing lucky members of the public on how to defend against the Dark Arts. For budding witches and wizards looking to learn from the expert, Paul will be hosting a wand training session at the start of every hour from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Thursday 1st September and from 10:00 am through to 5:00 pm on Saturday 3rd September.

TikTok LIVE Experience with Tom Felton
The action isn’t limited to King’s Cross [s]tation – fans online can tune into Back To Hogwarts LIVE. This [l]ivestreamed [e]xperience is hosted by Tom Felton as he embarks on a personalised tour of his old stomping ground – Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – [T]he Making of Harry Potter! Expect fun, games, personal anecdotes and memories from his time shooting the much-loved films. Fans can watch along on TikTok at @wizardingworld & @t22felton on 1st September at 7:00 pm BST.

Back [t]o Hogwarts 2022 – A Look Ahead
And finally, it wouldn’t be the start of term without an announcement or two… brand new for this year, fans are invited to watch a special presentation crammed full of news and updates, highlighting some of the exciting things the Wizarding World has in store. Expect news on the upcoming RPG console game Hogwarts Legacy, a first look at a particularly magical product, and spellbinding live experiences [that] fans will not want to miss. Tune into [sic] www.youtube.com/c/WizardingWorld at 6:20 pm BST on 1st September to watch along.

There’s just over a week to go until the big day, and this is just a taste of what’s in store - to stay up to date with the latest Back to Hogwarts and Wizarding World news, content and announcements, join the community of millions of members by signing up to the Harry Potter Fan Club at www.wizardingworld.com/harry-potter-fan-club.