Harry Potter fans, it’s time to get your school supplies ready because Back to Hogwarts Day 2024 is around the corner. On this day, all wizards and witches can revisit the world of magic, adventures, Quidditch and more that the books and movies created. So arm yourselves with wands and pets at platform 9¾ to wait for the Hogwarts Express to arrive.
What is Back to Hogwarts Day?
The muggle world has not been the same since 1997. Even though it has been 27 years since the first of the Harry Potter books was published, the craze for neither its titular characters nor the following movies has not faded.
Traditionally, 1 September is celebrated as Back to Hogwarts Day, marking the day when students typically board the Hogwarts Express to depart at 11 am for the wizarding world. This is the same day when the child wizard Harry Potter arrives at King’s Cross in London not knowing he must drive his trolley into the wall between platforms 9 and 10 to get to platform 9¾.
Commemorating the day, Back to Hogwarts showcases several events across the globe each year. In 2024, the events include movie screenings, LEGO-building activities, drinking butterbeer, themed parties and much more. So, grab your robes and blast the Harry Potter theme tune, because the world is about to become magical.
Back to Hogwarts Day is here: This is how you can celebrate in the muggle world
Ditch King’s Cross, join on YouTube instead
For Harry Potter fans, Back to Hogwarts Day means a mandatory visit to King’s Cross at the 9 ¾ departure board for the grand show and countdown. But in 2024, the Hogwarts school celebrations have slightly changed. While the UK will host several in-person events, Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) is discouraging Potterheads from swamping the station and instead asking them to join online festivities.
Earlier, it was a modest fan gathering, and the station complied with modified announcements and even departure signs. However, over the years, it has only swelled to a huge footfall, causing trouble for commuters. As a means to control the frenzy, WBD has said that this time, there will be no changes to the announcements and modified departure boards.
“Instead, everyone is invited to tune in and join proud Hufflepuff and King of the Jungle, Sam Thompson in a celebration of Back to Hogwarts on the official Harry Potter YouTube channel at 11:00 am BST (3.30 pm IST).”
Potter movies return to the screen
To commemorate Back to Hogwarts Day, several movie screenings will be held across the world. All eight Harry Potter films are returning to select theatres, and they will be playing back-to-back.
For instance, in the UK and Ireland, the first three blockbuster Harry Potter films will be back in cinemas on 30 August for the Back to Hogwarts weekend.
In France, there will be a movie marathon at the UGC Lyon Part-Dieu on 31 August and 1 September.
In the US, Cinemark will play all the films on consecutive days between 25 August and 1 September.
Fans in Japan can watch the last two films at United Cinemas Toshimaen between 19 July and 12 September, while Lawson United Cinemas Style – S Minatomirai will be playing the first three films until 3 October.
Check your local listings for details here.
Special Snapchat filters and Hogwarts lenses
Just imagine where the world would be had Harry Potter never boarded the red steam engine and discovered the wizarding world. To commemorate this iconic locomotive, which we all fancy a ride in, Snapchat has introduced a special Back to Hogwarts Day filter and lenses for your special clicks.
It allows you to summon the Hogwarts Express at famous landmarks across popular cities worldwide: London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, New York City and Tokyo. Try it at The Eiffel Tower, Copacabana Fort, The National Gallery, Grand Central Terminal and the Hachiko Statue. Scan any of these locations between 26 August and 9 September using the filter and see the train arrive as if to pick you up.
Users will also get two new Lenses. While one is inspired by the Hogwarts house sorting, the other is a homage to the forthcoming Warner Bros. Games title Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. These will be available exclusively via the app on 1 September 2024.
Hogwarts festivities in the UK, France, Germany and Italy
The UK, the home of Harry Potter, is perhaps where the holy grail of Back to Hogwarts 2024 events begins.
Starting on 23 July, fans in the UK and Ireland were invited to enter a competition to win the ultimate Back to Hogwarts experience. One lucky winner and their family got a chance to go on an exclusive celebration weekend, where they would receive a personalised Hogwarts house bundle and attend a VIP feast in the Great Hall at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter on 31st August, followed by a stay at the luxurious Grove Hotel. Don’t be disheartened if you missed this, there are plenty of other things to do.
You can register for Wizarding Wednesday giveaways or join a special Wand Dance Workshop, hosted by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’s Resident Movement Director Tash Holway. Visit the Cursed Child website for more details.
House of MinaLima in London (the design studio responsible for all the magical details of the Harry Potter films) also invites fans to a special event on 1 September, where they will have the chance to get their hands on a limited-edition Back to Hogwarts 2024 button badge.
For fans in France, the Olympics might be over but sporting fervour continues. A special Quidditch-themed event will take place at Parvis de la Part-Dieu in Lyon, between 31 August and 1 September. Practise your moves and pose for photos.
Those in Germany can join engaging live panels, countdowns and more on 1 September, at a special fan event outside the Theatre at Hamburg’s Großmarkt, the German site of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Italy will see the iconic Galleria Alberto Sordi in Rome come alive for a fan get-together on 1 September, including a live countdown at 11 am local time.
Back to Hogwarts party in the USA
The US is leaving no brooms unattended this year to ring in the Hogwarts celebration. For the first time, Potterheads can attend a special Back to Hogwarts pop-up at the beautiful Vanderbilt Hall in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal on 30 August and 1 September.
On Back to Hogwarts Day 2024, get a chance to see interactive Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions events, live performances, exciting Lego-building activities and drink butterbeer while waiting for the countdown at 11 am local time.
Asia celebrates the day
Potterheads in China can catch the Back to Hogwarts revelries in Changsha where a list of activities is lined up between 30 August and 1 September — photo opportunities, artwork displays and stalls with Harry Potter goodies.
On the other hand, in Japan, lucky fans can join a special 11 am countdown on 1 September at Platform 9 ¾ in Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter. Guests visiting Universal Studios Japan on the big day, with a special after-hours event pass, can be a part of a special event at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to mark the moment.
(Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone/ IMDb)
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
