• By MuggleNet Editorial Staff
• 17 Sep, 2026
• Events

New York-area witches and wizards will have another reason to head north this fall. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is returning for the first time in four years. And good news, the trail has received a substantial upgrade since its last visit.

The nighttime outdoor experience opens October 16 at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown Heights, the same location that hosted its first New York run in 2022. This year’s version brings new creatures, interactive elements, and scenes inspired by the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. New York State Parks says the updated experience also follows a new chronological journey through its Wizarding World-inspired moments. 

More Magic Is Waiting in the Woods

For those who missed the experience the first time around, the concept is essentially the closest most of us can get to willingly following Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest, though thankfully with better lighting.

Guests make their way through a woodland trail after dark as lighting, sound, sets, and special effects transform the surrounding forest. Along the way, they’ll encounter creatures including Hippogriffs, unicorns, and Nifflers, as well as opportunities to cast spells and conjure a Patronus. 

And organizers have put some numbers behind just how much is packed into this year’s trail. The 2026 Westchester experience features more than 4,000 individual lights, over 20 life-sized magical creatures, six interactive spell-casting moments, and more than 15 recreations inspired by scenes from the films. 

Once the adventure through the trees is over, there will also be plenty to explore before heading back to the Muggle world. Organizers say the event will offer more than 50 food and drink options and a shop stocked with over 100 pieces of exclusive merchandise. Vegan and gluten-free food options will also be available. 

The attraction has continued traveling since its original Westchester appearance, with organizers reporting more than 2 million visitors across 16 cities on four continents to date. 

Tickets and What to Know Before You Go

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience opens October 16, with sessions currently scheduled Wednesdays through Sundays beginning at 5:30 p.m. The complete experience generally takes about 60–90 minutes, including approximately 45–75 minutes on the walking trail. 

Tickets are now on sale through Fever, with prices beginning at $35.90 for adults and $28.90 for children. Children under 3 can enter free. The experience is open to all ages, though some of the darker forest scenes and creatures could be a little spooky for younger visitors. 

The trail is outdoors and mostly unpaved, so this is one occasion when dress robes probably shouldn’t take priority over sturdy shoes. Parking at FDR State Park costs $15 when reserved online in advance or $20 on-site. Motorized scooters can also be rented for visitors who need them, though organizers note that the natural woodland terrain can make manually pushing a wheelchair more difficult in some areas. 

The Forbidden Forest may not normally be high on Hogwarts’ list of recommended evening destinations, but in this case, we’ll make an exception.

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