Muggle train strikes are no match for the power of Harry Potter…today hundreds of fans of all ages donned their robes and made it to London’s King’s Cross station this morning for the much-loved annual Back to Hogwarts celebrations.
Taking place on 1st September each year, Back to Hogwarts is one of the biggest days in any Harry Potter fan’s calendar – marking the moment when wizards and witches board the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾ at 11.00am for a year of magical adventure at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dressed in their finest cosplay, hundreds of fans made the trip to London’s King’s Cross station with even more coming together online to see the Hogwarts Express detailed on the departure screens and raise their wands for the countdown and take in the magical experiences on offer as part of the celebrations.
Muggles, witches and wizards alike flocked to the station to enjoy the live event hosted by TV star, radio presenter and huge Harry Potter fan, Sam Thompson, and raised their wands (and voices!) to join in with the iconic live countdown to departure – which, this year, was led by young competition winner Arnav Partukar, 10, from Chelmsford.
Arnav, who beat hundreds of entries to take the top spot after the Wizarding World launched a search to find the most enthusiastic fan in the UK to join the festivities said: “All my friends and family know that I am the biggest Harry Potter fan around, so when my parents told me about a competition to lead the live countdown at Back to Hogwarts, as a proud Gryffindor I just knew I had to give it a go! I have had so much fun, and it has been amazing meeting lots of other Harry Potter fans, just like me. This is a day I will never, ever forget.”
Before Arnav led the crowd in waving off the Hogwarts Express, fans got to enjoy host Sam Thompson talking to the cast members and creative team of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child about the award-winning stage-play and trying his hands at a few of the show’s spellbinding special effects.
Sam Thompson said: “As my cats, Albus and Cedric can attest to, I love Harry Potter! Being able to come back to King’s Cross to host such a brilliant event, in front of so many like-minded fans is literally my dream come true. What I love about Back to Hogwarts is that you get to see the shared love that this community has for Harry Potter and the magical wizarding world, and hosting alongside Arnav has been an absolute honour!”
Speaking about the festivities, one Wizarding World fan in attendance, Eliya Williams, aged nine, said, “Back to Hogwarts is something I look forward to every time September rolls around, it’s a time I feel really connected to other fans and they haven’t disappointed this year! I’m so excited to be here to celebrate with my fellow Muggles, witches and wizards and it means so much that they involved fans in the countdown too.”
From today until September 3rd, a host of activities awaits Harry Potter enthusiasts. Visitors can sip on Butterbeer, play Hogwarts Legacy on PlayStation®5 courtesy of Warner Bros. Games, and enjoy LEGO® Harry Potter giveaways and photo opportunities. Additionally, in celebration of the publication of The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac, you’ll also be able to spin Bloomsbury’s giant wand spinner and find out whose wand you’re best suited to, with free gifts up for grabs for those taking part.
Helen Cavanagh, Network Rail’s Head of Passenger Experience for the East Coast Route, said of the King’s Cross celebration: “It’s always amazing to see King’s Cross station filled with students from all four Hogwarts houses come together as one to mark the start of the new Hogwarts term. Whether you belong to Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, we’re looking forward to welcoming you!”
Back to Hogwarts is a global celebration and there are plenty of ways to get involved, wherever you are, check out Wizarding World Digital at www.wizardingworld.com for all the Back to Hogwarts updates, including the latest UK activity at King’s Cross station and info on exciting events and activities taking place in Italy, Germany, France, Japan, China, Australia and more.
The magic continues online… tune into Back to Hogwarts: A Look Ahead a special 30 min digital showcase which is jam-packed with news and updates highlighting some of the exciting things the Wizarding World has in store, plus of course some magical fun and games along the way! Watch on YouTube at 6:00pm BST.
Join the global community of millions of members following the fun on social, try out the special Back to Hogwarts Chocolate Frog Cardand Mis-spelled effects on Instagram and TikTok and don’t forget to sign up to the Harry Potter Fan Club!
