Interested in a particular start-of-term celebration? Click it on the list and jump straight into the fun:
United Kingdom
North America
Italy
France
Spain
Germany
China
Japan
United Kingdom
There was Back to Hogwarts fun with James and Oliver Phelps at a very special Goblet of Fire screening
On the eve of Back to Hogwarts, there was a very special screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, including a live Q&A with none other than James and Oliver Phelps (AKA Fred and George Weasley).
With TV and radio host Yinka Bokinni as the fantastic MC, fans donning their best wizarding glad rags, and all sorts of other fun activities, this was a brilliant celebration of Back to Hogwarts and the magic of the Harry Potter films. Here are just a few colourful highlights…
Firstly, we have to admire the brilliance of both the costume and the photo – phenomenal. What an excellent Nagini. Although…
Where Nagini slithers to… Voldemort isn’t far behind.
Look at Fawkes about to take flight! A magnificent creation – Dumbledore would approve.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London hosted a countdown to 11am
This Back to Hogwarts, 300 lucky fans got to join in the countdown to 11am at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
Standing next to the scarlet engine, dressed in their finest Hogwarts attire and surrounded by fellow fans – this event captured the excitement of a brand-new year at Hogwarts.
North America
Fans celebrated at Harry Potter Shop New York and Harry Potter Shop Chicago
Fans in New York and Chicago were in for a treat as both shops celebrated with in-store activities, a special photo opportunity, giveaways, competitions and some exclusive time-limited goodies for Back to Hogwarts 2025!
Chicago
A Gryffindor, a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff met up in Chicago… which sounds like the start of a brilliant wizarding joke to us
Also in store, fans raised their wands (and Hagrid’s pink umbrella) aloft ready to join in with the countdown to 11am.
This happy Hufflepuff proves that age doesn’t matter when it comes to heading Back to Hogwarts, though we’re not sure she would pass as a first-year!
New York
Over in the New York shop, the festive atmosphere continued with crowds of happy fans equipped with wands, smiles and Back to Hogwarts enthusiasm – no Cheering Charms required.
Italy
Natalia Tena (Nymphadora Tonks) joined the Back to Hogwarts celebrations in Milan
Yes! Natalia Tena, the actress who brought our favourite Hufflepuff Metamorphmagus (Nymphadora Tonks) to life on the big screen, joined the magical event at Teatro Nazionale, Milan for a brilliant Back to Hogwarts celebration.
This spectacular countdown ceremony, full of dazzling performances, clever quizzes and special guests, was certainly a night to remember.
An excellent display of house pride.
France
Fans took exams at the Sainte-Geneviève Library – but the fun kind
Yep, over at the Sainte-Geneviève Library, was a celebration Hermione Granger would adore.
Fans gathered at the beautiful, university library to test their magical acumen with a fun, interactive quiz event.
Judging by their huge grin, we reckon they may have just come top of the class! Or are they smiling because there was not one, but two special guests?
Dov Milsztajn, who voiced Harry’s blond-haired nemesis, Draco Malfoy, in the French version of the films made an appearance.
And a second Slytherin too! Solange Boulanger, who dubbed Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films, was there to provide a special dictation session for visitors wanting to improve their magical vocabulary.
Spain
Magic at Museo del Ferrocarril in Madrid
There were a whole host of magical celebrations at Museo del Ferrocarril (the Railway Museum) in Madrid, with two whole days of Hogwarts-themed fun at a special event – giving thousands of fans the chance to imagine themselves on their very own journey to Hogwarts!
On September 1st, the countdown to 11am was hosted by hosted by David Moreno with three very special guests... Axel Amigo, Laura Pastor, and David Carrillo, who brought the voices of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley to life in the Spanish version of the films.
There was magic in everything – with fans having the opportunity to learn spells, brew potions, and take on the challenges of Hogwarts Legacy.
And we even spotted the letter that changed Harry Potter’s life forever.
Germany
Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier hosted a 3-day Back to Hogwarts bonanza
Three whole days of Back to Hogwarts celebrations? Fans in Germany flocked to join in!
Across the Back to Hogwarts weekend, fans could enjoy Harry Potter activities galore with Thalia, The LEGO Group, Haribo and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child all getting involved. A bewitching bonanza indeed.
China
The West Lake became...The Great Lake?
Over the last couple of days, the iconic backdrop of the West Lake in Hangzhou, saw some seriously spectacular Back to Hogwarts celebrations.
With a plethora of community activities and whole heap of fans, you could feel the magic everywhere.
Hogwarts robes as far as the eye can see! Top marks for those Spectrespecs.
Japan
Fans went Back to Hogwarts at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
At Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter, there was plenty of start-of-term fun to celebrate this important date in the wizarding calendar.
Back to Hogwarts arrived at Ikebukuro station
That’s not all! There were more festivities at Ikebukuro Station with a fan event that included a special lunch at the Food Hall. Over on the platform, there was an 11am countdown...
...with a familiar face close by. Now that’s a train design we would choo-choo-choose.
