“Harry Potter” Celebrates 25 Years With Global Back to Hogwarts Celebration

Few franchises continue bringing fans together across generations quite like Harry Potter.

As one of the most recognizable entertainment properties in the world celebrates a major milestone, Warner Bros. Discovery is transforming this year’s annual Back to Hogwarts tradition into its biggest celebration yet. Spanning theatrical releases, theme park experiences, global fan events, exclusive merchandise, livestreams and interactive activations, the worldwide celebration honors 25 years of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone while building excitement for the next chapter of the Wizarding World.

For longtime fans, September 1 has become much more than a date on the calendar. Marking the day Hogwarts students board the Hogwarts Express each year, Back to Hogwarts has evolved into a global tradition that celebrates the enduring magic of the Wizarding World. This year, Warner Bros. Discovery is expanding that tradition with one of the franchise’s most ambitious celebrations to date.

Leading the festivities, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—released as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in many international markets—will return to theaters around the world from August 27 through September 3. The anniversary screenings will feature 12 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage never before shown in theaters, while all eight Harry Potter films will also be available on the big screen throughout the celebration. Tickets officially go on sale July 31.

The festivities stretch far beyond movie theaters. Fans across Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia-Pacific can look forward to live celebrations featuring interactive experiences, themed entertainment and special anniversary moments.

In London, HBO Max will host a special Back to Hogwarts celebration tied to the upcoming HBO Original Harry Potter series arriving this Christmas. Additional events are planned throughout France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China, Australia and Japan, with experiences ranging from large-scale wand lessons and outdoor screenings to anniversary celebrations, themed installations and exclusive fan activities.

The Wizarding World will also come alive inside Universal destinations around the globe. Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort will each offer limited-time anniversary experiences featuring exclusive food and beverages, collectible merchandise, returning nighttime spectaculars, interactive encounters and park-exclusive offerings inspired by the beloved franchise.

Fans visiting Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo will also find exclusive celebration moments, themed entertainment, photo opportunities and special anniversary programming, while the Harry Potter Shops in New York and Chicago will host countdown celebrations, limited-edition treats and exclusive merchandise collections.

Beyond physical destinations, the celebration continues across gaming and digital platforms. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery and Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells will introduce special in-game events and rewards, while COSM’s immersive entertainment venues across the United States will present Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone inside their massive Shared Reality LED domes. Fans can also tune in to the annual Back to Hogwarts Showcase on September 1 for franchise announcements streamed live through the official Harry Potter YouTube and TikTok channels.

The celebration also extends into retail through new collections from LEGO Harry Potter, The Noble Collection, Rubies, Colgate and Hallmark, giving fans even more ways to commemorate the milestone throughout the season.

The expansive celebration reflects the remarkable staying power of the Wizarding World more than two decades after audiences first stepped onto Platform 9¾. From theaters and theme parks to studio tours, retail experiences, gaming and livestreams, Harry Potter continues demonstrating how a beloved story can grow far beyond the page and screen into a worldwide celebration shared by generations of fans.

As the Wizarding World prepares to welcome a new era with HBO’s upcoming television adaptation, this year’s Back to Hogwarts festivities serve as both a celebration of the franchise’s legacy and an invitation for fans old and new to once again return to Hogwarts.