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Every 1st of September, at precisely 11am, Hogwarts students board the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 ¾ and head back to school for the new term. What began as a moment from the stories has become a worldwide tradition, celebrating all things Harry Potter. And it keeps on getting bigger and better!
Scroll on for all the ways you can join the Back to Hogwarts fun in 2026.
Watch the 2026 Back to Hogwarts Showcase
The magic of Back to Hogwarts culminates with the annual Back to Hogwarts Showcase, featuring special surprises and unmissable announcements from across the Harry Potter universe. Watch live on 1st September from the official Harry Potter YouTube or TikTok channels, subscribe now to get notified as the show starts.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone returns to cinemas around the world
This year’s Back to Hogwarts is even more special, as we celebrate 25 years since the first film hit the big screen. So what better way to celebrate than to revisit Philosopher’s Stone on big screen again. Find a screening near you here.
Global celebrations
Celebrate live from London at an event hosted by HBO Max
Ahead of the highly anticipated debut of the HBO Original series Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone this Christmas, HBO Max will lead a first-of-its-kind Back to Hogwarts celebration in London on the 1st of September.
The one-day fan celebration inspired by the new series will feature interactive fan moments and exclusive giveaways. Location and ticketing details will be announced soon, so watch this space.
Fans are reminded that there will be no official event, countdown or announcement at King’s Cross Station on 1st September and are advised not to travel there.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will host an 11am countdown on 1st September
New for 2026, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will mark Back to Hogwarts with a special 11:00am announcement broadcast throughout the Tour. Following the opening announcement, additional broadcasts will take place every 30 minutes at Platform 9¾ throughout the day.
Guests can enjoy animatronic Hagrid demonstrations, exclusive photo opportunities, themed food and drink, and complimentary Hogwarts Train Tickets included in Summer Feature Activity Passports.
You can also enter an exclusive Back to Hogwarts competition for the chance to win a truly magical prize - a personalised Hogwarts trunk signed by Bonnie Wright, Mark Williams, James and Oliver Phelps, plus two tickets to visit the Studio Tour on 1st September. One runner-up will receive a bundle of merchandise from the brand-new Harry Potter Shop Back to Hogwarts collection. To enter, submit your details here by 23:59 on 12th August.
Countdowns at Harry Potter Shop New York and Harry Potter Shop Chicago
Head to Harry Potter Shop New York and Harry Potter Shop Chicago to join a special 11:00am Back to Hogwarts countdown, enjoy limited-edition treats at the Butterbeer Bars and shop the much-anticipated Back to Hogwarts collection.
At Harry Potter Shop Chicago, fans can also capture the moment with an exclusive new Back to Hogwarts digital frame, available through the Sorting Hat photo experience.
Look out for a Back to Hogwarts celebration near you
Official Back to Hogwarts live celebrations will also take place around the world, including events in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China, Australia, Japan and more. Keep an eye on this page for more information as it comes in and be sure to sign up to our newsletter for the latest local news.
New experiences, themed merchandise and more at Universal theme parks across the globe
At Universal Orlando Resort, from the 1st of August to the 1st of September, fans can enjoy exclusive 25th anniversary experiences, including a limited-edition Butterbeer Mug (while supplies last), special food and beverage offerings, and the return of the fan-favourite Hogwarts Always castle projection show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.
Universal Studios Hollywood will debut enchanting new experiences from 1st Aug – 1st Sept, including an encounter with the Monster Book of Monsters. Fans can also celebrate their Hogwarts house pride with exclusive giveaways, themed treats and limited-time park offerings.
Both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will debut the new, park-exclusive Build-A-Bag collection by Lug, allowing fans to customise their own wizarding world-inspired look.
At Universal Studios Japan, select guests will enjoy exclusive after-hours access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ on 1st September. The park will also bring back the popular Hogwarts Castle Walk, alongside special themed giveaways and digital collectibles. Universal Beijing Resort will mark Back to Hogwarts with the debut of Hogwarts Always, a spectacular new projection show celebrating a year at Hogwarts. Fans can also enjoy new themed food and beverages, exclusive merchandise, immersive photo opportunities, special giveaways and a dedicated Gathering Night event on 28th August.
Sign up to our newsletter as we reveal more info on Back to Hogwarts 2026 or keep fervently refreshing this page as more magic presents itself.
