HBO Planning Official Back to Hogwarts Event in London for Harry Potter TV Series
The new television adaptation gets its first major fan celebration on September 1 with a live event in London, plus activities across Universal theme parks and Harry Potter retail locations worldwide.
HBO Max is hosting the first official Back to Hogwarts event centered on the upcoming Harry Potter television series, bringing the new adaptation into the annual September 1 tradition for the first time. The one-day experience in London will include interactive fan activities, exclusive giveaways, and experiences themed around the series, which arrives this Christmas.
This marks a shift for Back to Hogwarts, which has for years celebrated the moment the Hogwarts Express departs Platform 9¾ at 11 a.m. on September 1. With the HBO series set to take its place alongside the books and films, the 2026 celebration is expanding to include the television adaptation for the first time.
HBO has not yet revealed the exact location or ticket information for the London event, with more details expected in the weeks ahead. The festivities will culminate with the annual Back to Hogwarts Showcase, which streams live on September 1 across the official Harry Potter YouTube and TikTok channels. As in previous years, the showcase promises announcements and surprises from across the Wizarding World.
No Event at King's Cross This Year
Anyone planning to celebrate in London should note one important change. There will not be an official event, countdown, or announcement at King's Cross Station this year. Instead, organizers are encouraging everyone to take part in the official celebrations elsewhere.
The decision redirects fans toward the HBO event and other organized activities rather than the traditional station gathering.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Retail Locations Join the Celebration
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, The Making of Harry Potter, will host special 11 a.m. announcements throughout the attraction, additional broadcasts at Platform 9¾ during the day, themed food and drinks, photo opportunities, and exclusive Back to Hogwarts activities.
Harry Potter Shop New York and Harry Potter Shop Chicago will host their own 11 a.m. countdowns, along with limited edition treats and exclusive merchandise. Chicago visitors will also be able to commemorate the occasion with a special digital photo frame available through the Sorting Hat experience.
Official celebrations are also planned in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China, Australia, Japan, and several other countries as additional details are announced.
Universal Theme Parks Bring Back Anniversary Offerings
Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will feature anniversary themed food, merchandise, exclusive experiences, and returning entertainment through September 1. Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort are also planning special events, including nighttime experiences, projection shows, themed giveaways, and exclusive merchandise.
The Universal celebrations give fans at the theme parks another way to mark the occasion beyond the London event and retail location activities.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Returns to Theaters
This year's Back to Hogwarts also doubles as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on the big screen. The film is returning to cinemas around the world during the Back to Hogwarts period, giving audiences another chance to experience where Harry's journey began.
The combination of the HBO television series event, the film anniversary, and the global celebrations across retail locations and theme parks makes this year's Back to Hogwarts one of the biggest yet. The tradition continues to grow as the Wizarding World expands into new formats, with the HBO adaptation marking the next chapter in how fans experience the stories.
/ More from FirstDrop
Entertainment NewsJohnny Depp Returns as Ebenezer Scrooge in Ti West's Horror Tinged Christmas Carol
The first trailer for Ebenezer debuted at Comic-Con 2026, revealing a darker take on the Dickens classic with Depp in…
Entertainment NewsHogwarts Express Popcorn Bucket Unveiled at Comic-Con Ahead of Harry Potter 25th Anniversary
AMC is bringing a detailed collectible locomotive to theaters in August when all eight Harry Potter films return to c…