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Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled its 2026 “Back to Hogwarts” program, a global celebration marking the 25th anniversary of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” with a weeklong theatrical re-release, live fan events
across four global regions and new glimpses of the upcoming HBO Original series.
The celebration centers on Sept. 1, the date on which students traditionally return to Hogwarts in the “Harry Potter” stories, a tradition WBD has turned into a yearly global event uniting fans in cinemas, at live gatherings, online, in stores and at home.
As part of the anniversary, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” – released internationally as “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” – returns to theaters for one week with 12 minutes of previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage. Separately, all eight “Harry Potter” films will screen in theaters worldwide from Aug. 27 through Sept. 3.
In London, HBO Max is staging its first-ever Back to Hogwarts celebration on Sept. 1, timed to build anticipation for the HBO Original series’ Christmas debut. The one-day fan event will include interactive moments and giveaways inspired by the new series, with location and ticketing details to be announced. WBD says fans should not expect any event, countdown or announcement that day at King’s Cross Station, and is urging fans to skip a trip there.
Additional live celebrations are planned in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China, Australia and Japan. Highlights include a large-scale wand lesson staged in the Orangerie Gardens at Paris’ Château de Versailles, choreographed by Paul Harris, a celebratory screening in Venice, fan festivities in Madrid and Sydney, an event in Berlin, and anniversary activations in China featuring the “Owl Messenger” installation.
Theme park activity runs Aug. 1 through Sept. 1 at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, including anniversary experiences and the return of the “Hogwarts Always” projection show at Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. Universal Studios Japan will offer select guests after-hours access to its Wizarding World area on Sept. 1, while Universal Beijing Resort will debut its own “Hogwarts Always” projection show alongside a Gathering Night event on Aug. 28.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will mark the day with an 11 a.m. announcement broadcast repeated every 30 minutes at Platform 9¾. The tour is running a competition for a personalized Hogwarts trunk autographed by cast members Bonnie Wright, Mark Williams, James and Oliver Phelps, plus two tickets to visit on Sept. 1. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter will hold its own countdown event and photo opportunity. In North America, Harry Potter Shop New York and Harry Potter Shop Chicago will host 11 a.m. countdowns and sell a new Back to Hogwarts collection.
Mobile games are joining in as well, with “Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery” adding new adventures and rewards, and “Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells” running its own countdown events.
The program culminates in the annual Back to Hogwarts Showcase, streaming live on Sept. 1 via the official Harry Potter YouTube and TikTok channels with announcements from across the franchise.
