Warner Bros. Discovery is staging a global Harry Potter celebration this fall, built around the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and the approaching debut of a new HBO Original series.
The centerpiece of the Back to Hogwarts 2026 program is September 1, the date on which students traditionally return to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter stories. Warner Bros. Discovery has built that date into a yearly global event, and this year's edition is the largest in scope. According to Variety, all eight Harry Potter films will screen in theaters worldwide from August 27 through September 3.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, released internationally as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, gets its own separate treatment. The film returns to theaters for one week with 12 minutes of previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage included.
In London, HBO Max is staging its first-ever Back to Hogwarts celebration on September 1, timed to build anticipation for the HBO Original series, which is set to debut at Christmas. The one-day fan event will include interactive moments and giveaways inspired by the new series. Warner Bros. Discovery noted that fans should not expect any event, countdown, or announcement that day at King's Cross Station, and urged fans to skip a trip there.
Live events are also planned across France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China, Australia, and Japan. A large-scale wand lesson is set to take place in the Orangerie Gardens at the Château de Versailles in Paris, choreographed by Paul Harris. Additional highlights include a celebratory screening in Venice, fan festivities in Madrid and Sydney, an event in Berlin, and anniversary activations in China featuring an installation called Owl Messenger.
Theme park activity begins August 1 and runs through September 1 at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. The Hogwarts Always projection show returns to Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hogsmeade. Universal Studios Japan will offer select guests after-hours access to its Wizarding World area on September 1. Universal Beijing Resort will debut its own Hogwarts Always projection show alongside a Gathering Night event on August 28.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is running a competition offering a personalized Hogwarts trunk autographed by cast members Bonnie Wright, Mark Williams, James Phelps, and Oliver Phelps, along with two tickets to visit on September 1. The tour will also feature an 11 a.m. announcement broadcast repeated every 30 minutes at Platform 9¾. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo 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 game Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is also adding new content tied to the anniversary.
