Harry Potter anniversary events at King's Cross station

Over four days, there will be a range of events taking place at King's Cross station to mark 25 years since the Hogwarts Express departed from Platform Nine and Three Quarters in JK Rowling’s novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Over the years, it has become something of a tradition that UK-based Harry Potter fans (or people visiting!) come along to King’s Cross Station on 1st September to countdown to 11 o'clock: the time the Hogwarts Express sets off for a fresh school term. This year, any visitors to King’s Cross can expect a few surprises and photo opportunities set up around the station to really make your celebration feel extra-special.

From Friday to Sunday, the Hogwarts Express video booth and various photo opps (such as Bloomsbury's books and the LEGO big builds) will remain open and on 3rd September, the Paul Harris wand workshops will be available.

Embrace books and cleverness: UK publishers Bloomsbury appear to have cast a spell on book replicas of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, featuring the original 1997 cover art from Thomas Taylor and the 25th anniversary edition by Jonny Duddle. Pretend to be a teeny tiny person who’s taken some Shrinking Solution and grab a photo with this display of giant tomes!

Swish and flick: Paul Harris, wand choreographer on the Harry Potter films, will be making an appearance at the station, teaching fans how to correctly cast spells with a dedicated Wand Combat workshop. Paul will be hosting the wand training session at the start of every hour from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Thursday 1st September, and from 10:00am through to 5:00pm on Saturday 3rd September.

Magic tricks with magic bricks: Our good friends at The LEGO® Group will be offering up some Wizarding World showstoppers at the station, immortalised in colourful bricks. If you’re down, make sure to grab a photo with these big builds, where the likes of Mr Weasley’s flying car and the Sorting Hat will be on display.

Have your own Harry, Ron and Hermione moment: Take part in a special Hogwarts Express video booth where you can pose with friends to sit in the Hogwarts Express carriage just like our golden trio did.