Lovers of all things Harry Potter, rejoice. The 2026 “Back to Hogwarts” festival is running from Aug. 27 through Sept. 1, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter movie release.
The 2026 festival includes a movie marathon, special content on YouTube and activities at Universal Studios. The festival culminates on Sept. 1, which is the day that the fictional Hogwarts magic students annually return to the school on the magical Hogwarts Express, from Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station in London.
Here’s a roundup:
Aug. 27-Sept. 3: All eight films return to movie theaters from Thursday, Aug. 27 through Thursday, Sept. 3. Screenings include 12 minutes of previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage from the first movie. If you’ve never seen these on a big screen, it’s worth it and they do build sequentially, so see them in order if you can. Check your local theaters or the Official Harry Potter website for locations and showtimes. Participating theatre chains: AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Megaplex, Harkins, Marcus Theatres. Regal is offering a special $9.75 price for its showings, except for special formats. At AMC, most movies are $8 plus ticketing fees.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. (2009)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. (2011)
Aug. 1 through Sept. 1: Back to Hogwarts comes to Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando: Running Aug. 1 through Sept. 1, 2026, the theme parks will celebrate Back to Hogwarts at their Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions featuring the “Hogwarts Always” night projection show, limited-edition 25th-anniversary Butterbeer mugs, and other merch.
On some dates, Back to Hogwarts will also feature The Monster Book of Monsters encounter. The information held within the book is useful, but the book has transformed into the very monster it depicts on its pages and will try to bite your finger if you come near. But you can figure it out.
Sept. 1, online: A live digital stream of the annual Back to Hogwarts Showcase on Sept. 1 is scheduled on the official Harry Potter YouTube Channel and TikTok. It wil feature live countdowns, special announcements, and interactive fan events in London hosted by HBO. Learn more: youtube.com/watch?v=fTYO0u8OeDs
Learn more: harrypotter.com/news/how-to-celebrate-back-to-hogwarts-2026