What began as a fan celebration is now recognised as one of the biggest days in any Harry Potter fan's calendar
Media franchise Wizarding World has announced the return of its Back to Hogwarts celebrations on the occasion of Harry Potter‘s birthday today. Harry Potter fans from all around the globe are all geared up for the annual Back to Hogwarts Day, scheduled for September 1. This event commemorates the departure of the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross station in London, marking the beginning of the new academic year at Hogwarts and Harry’s journey to wizardland.
Written by British author J K Rowling, the Harry Potter series is a part of the widely popular seven fantasy novels that, after garnering immense success, were adopted into a movie franchise.
According to a press statement by Warner Bros Discovery, which produced the Harry Potter films, dressed in their finest cosplay, thousands of fans gather at London’s King’s Cross station each year at this time. More come together online to raise their wands and mark the beginning of the countdown for Harry’s departure to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the famed wizard school.
WB says this year, the Wizarding World team has also launched a search for the UK’s most enthusiastic Harry Potter fan to lead the countdown to the Hogwarts Express’s departure. The competition is open to fans between 5 and 17 years old in the UK, who are invited to submit a video of themselves doing their best countdown by August 7.
What began as a fan celebration is now recognised as one of the biggest days in any Harry Potter fan’s calendar, says the WB statement, adding that it also marks the moment when students would board the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾ for adventure at Hogwarts.
Bringing the famous four Hogwarts team of Gryffindors, Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs together, the celebrations include a ‘Harry Potter London Breaks Experience’, that gives the winner a chance to discover the filmmaking of Warner Bros. Among the opportunities include a studio tour of London to witness the making of Harry Potter and see the critically acclaimed stage production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The statement adds that the winner is also set to receive a Harry Potter merchandise.
Pam Lifford
“Back to Hogwarts is a day cherished by Harry Potter fans of all ages, from all over the world. Just like their passion for the magic of the stories, their celebrations grow every year! 2023 is set to be a year like no other, we will see fan world record attempts in Germany, high octane quiz competitions in France and of course, the UK’s search to find the perfect person to join that amazing countdown. We are so proud to offer new and exciting ways to bring fans together and give them new ways to celebrate the Harry Potter magic, there’s nothing quite like Back To Hogwarts,” says Pam Lifford, President, Global Brands, Franchises and Experiences, at Warner Bros Discovery.
WB says as a part of the celebration, fans can join themed events, watch parties, digital and real-life celebrations. Theatres around the world will be putting on special Harry Potter screenings for Back to Hogwarts. And, until September 3, fans at King’s Cross can avail immersive Harry Potter experiences and exclusive merchandise.
