Harry Potter: The Exhibition, the most comprehensive touring exhibition ever presented about the Wizarding World, makes its world premiere at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on February 18, 2022.
The all-new behind-the-scenes exhibition celebrates the iconic moments, characters, settings, and beasts as seen in the films and stories of Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts™, and the expanded Wizarding World, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child through beautifully crafted environments that honor many of the unforgettable moments fans and audiences have loved for more two decades. Visitors can get an up-close look at everything from original costumes to authentic props as they embark on a personalized journey through innovative, awe-inspiring, and magical environments using best-in-class immersive design and technology.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition was created and developed by Imagine Exhibitions in partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment in association with EMC Presents. The 18,000-square-foot exhibition features 21 celebratory galleries, including The Great Hall, Hogwarts™ castle, Hagrid’s Hut, Hogwarts Houses, and Newt’s Suitcase. Guests will transition into the exhibition from the iconic King’s Cross Station, where they will complete their Visitor Profile, selecting their Hogwarts house, wand, and Patronus as they set off on their personalized journey through the experience.
As visitors explore each gallery, their interactions are captured using RFID wristbands to deliver unique experiences linked to their visitor profile. They will get an up-close look at authentic props and original costumes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films and an opportunity to engage with innovative, awe-inspiring, and magical environments and installations in ways never before experienced in a touring exhibition.
EXHIBITION GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS
From Page to Screen showcases an original first edition of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” encased in a Gringotts-inspired vault and is surrounded by inspirational video and literary quotes, reconnecting guests to the story as they are introduced to the exhibition.
Hogwarts Castle features an immersive multimedia experience with iconic elements like the Whomping Willow, Dementors, and the Marauder’s Map, where guests will see their name appear, prompting them to continue their exploration of the exhibition.
The Great Hall is a projection-mapped space that allows visitors to celebrate magical seasonal moments on its majestic grounds.
The Hogwarts Houses gallery sets the foundation for the exhibition experience, allowing guests the opportunity to experience more personalized moments with the house they select during their preregistration. While guests may gravitate towards one house, this Gallery will enable visitors to experience all of the Hogwarts houses in a celebratory hall featuring an iconic Sorting Hat, perfect for photo ops, while surrounded by freshly designed house crests on meticulously created stained glass windows.
Hogwarts Classrooms are filled with iconic props, creatures, and costumes. Visitors will interact with magical lessons and games through digital touchscreens to reveal behind-the-scenes secrets about iconic classroom moments. They will brew potions in the Potions Classroom, predict the future in Divination, pot a mandrake in the Herbology Greenhouse, and use their digital wand to defeat a boggart in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Hagrid’s Hut & The Forbidden Forest offers an interactive Patronus charm experience. Guests will then uncover iconic creatures, such as Centaurs and Acromantula, hidden in the forest and explore inside a recreation of Hagrid’s Hut.
Newt’s Suitcase photo opportunity allows guests to step inside his enchanted case and be surrounded by creatures seen in the Fantastic Beasts films.
An exclusive collection of Harry Potter™: The Exhibition merchandise will be available for guests to celebrate their fandom through an assortment of themed collections that span the expanded Wizarding World. Fans can choose from a range of products such as apparel, jewelry, and edible treats, including Chocolate Frogs and bottled Butterbeer, as well as rare collectible art from MinaLima, the graphic design duo on all Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.
In addition, MinaLima created a small number of two custom prints exclusive to this exhibition, one of which pays homage to Philadelphia, the host city–anchored by an image of The Franklin Institute. A limited-edition of 500 premium prints, hand-signed by Studio MinaLima founders Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, this Philadelphia Print is intended to be displayed in conjunction with the Commemorative Exhibition Art Print.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition is open daily from 9:30 am–8 pm and requires special timed tickets; advance reservations are strongly recommended. Daytime Tickets: 9:30 am–5 pm, Adult $43; Child $39 + includes admission to The Franklin Institute. Evening Tickets: 5 pm–8 pm, Adult $30; Child $30.
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter @iamcg83