Search

A Celebration of Harry Potter: Your guide to the ultimate Potter weekend at Universal Orlando!

                             

For the third year in a row, Muggles, witches and wizards will converge on Universal Orlando for a three day celebration of the Boy Who Live, as “A Celebration of Harry Potter” returns! This year will see more fun than ever before, as the park welcomes cast members, and those who have helped bring the movies to life both on screen and in the theme parks. Guests will be able to hear from designers, illustrators and more! We have the run down of what to expect, when to be there, and where you can see it all!

 

Harry Potter Park

 

Harry Potter fans from all over the globe have the opportunity for the third year in a row to come and celebrate all things Harry Potter this coming weekend at Universal Orlando. The three day event brings out a massive Harry Potter Expo, panels featuring artists who helped to design the film and theme park attractions, and of course the biggest reason-stars of the film! This year’s panel of cast members are Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Katie Leung (Cho Chang), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley). This year, there will be autograph sessions limited to just those guests who purchased the exclusive vacation packages. Those packages are sold out, and there are not any other opportunities to get autographs.

To get a better look at what’s happening this year, here’s a look back at last year’s massive festivities!

 
Video-Take a look around A Celebration of Harry Potter 2015!

This year the Expo and panels will return, with some surprises and big events planned in the park. Guests can check out the films in the park, they can also take part in a huge tribute to the films and even learn how to duel like a wizard!
Here’s the full line up:

 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

The Harry Potter™ Expo
9AM – 6PM | Soundstage 33

Movie in the Park
1:30PM – 4:30PM | Music Plaza Stage

Opening Night Event
7:30PM – 8PM | Music Plaza Stage

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2016

The Harry Potter™ Expo
9AM – 4:30PM | Soundstage 33

Kids’ Duelling Demonstration & Wand Masterclass with Paul Harris
10AM – 10:30AM | Music Plaza Stage

Kids’ Harry Potter™ Film Trivia
10:45AM – 11AM | Music Plaza Stage

Bringing the Harry Potter™ Films to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
11AM – 11:30AM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater

Kids’ Dance Like a Beauxbatons, Battle Like a Durmstrang
11:30AM – 12PM | Music Plaza Stage

The Global Impact of Harry Potter™: The Exhibition
1PM – 1:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater

Kids’ Harry Potter™ Film Trivia
2PM – 2:15PM | Music Plaza Stage

Graphic Design for the Harry Potter™ Films with MinaLima
2PM – 2:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater

Kids’ Dance Like a Beauxbatons, Battle Like a Durmstrang
2:45PM – 3:15PM | Music Plaza Stage

Harry Potter™ Props Showcase with Acclaimed Prop Maker Pierre Bohanna
3PM – 3:45PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater

Behind the Scenes: Harry Potter™ Film Talent Q&A Session
4:15PM – 5PM | Music Plaza Stage

House Rally
5:30PM – 6PM | Music Plaza Stage

Harry Potter™ Film Tribute
6:45PM – 7:45PM | Music Plaza Stage

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016

The Harry Potter™ Expo
9AM – 6PM | Soundstage 33

Kids’ Duelling Demonstration & Wand Masterclass with Paul Harris
10AM – 10:30AM | Music Plaza Stage

Kids’ Harry Potter™ Film Trivia
10:45AM – 11AM | Music Plaza Stage

Harry Potter™ Props Showcase with Acclaimed Prop Maker Pierre Bohanna
11AM – 11:45PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater

Kids’ Dance Like a Beauxbatons, Battle Like a Durmstrang
11:30AM – 12PM | Music Plaza Stage

Bringing the Harry Potter™ Films to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
1PM – 1:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater

Kids’ Harry Potter™ Film Trivia
2PM – 2:15PM | Music Plaza Stage

Graphic Design for the Harry Potter™ Films with MinaLima
2PM – 2:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater

Kids’ Dance Like a Beauxbatons, Battle Like a Durmstrang
2:45PM – 3:15PM | Music Plaza Stage

The Global Impact of Harry Potter™: The Exhibition
3PM – 3:30PM | Toon Lagoon® Amphitheater

Behind the Scenes: Harry Potter™ Film Talent Q&A Session
4PM – 4:45PM | Music Plaza Stage

It’s definitely a full weekend, and of course fans of the films have to make a special trip to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade for some Butterbeer, and the chance to walk in the shoes of Harry Potter!
So what is the best way to get to see all of it? Plan your day accordingly! You have three days, so make a schedule each day of the things you HAVE to see. The Harry Potter Expo is best done early in the morning, or last thing in the evening. The big panels tend to get busy. Anything you plan to see in the Toon Lagoon Amphitheater, you should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance. The Music Plaza Stage is a little bigger and has more standing room, so if you don’t get up close to the stage, you’ll still be able to see with the massive screens on either side of the stage. Universal has done a great job to make sure that everyone can have access to the big panels, such as the Cast Q&A.

If you are looking for a little more fun, then Universal has an awesome printable Scavenger Hunt to take with you. It utilizes social media, and takes you to destinations throughout the entire Harry Potter Celebration. Click here to download!

Stay tuned for more from Universal Orlando, and be sure to get social with us on Facebook and follow along with us on Twitter @BehindThrills for the latest updates!
For our latest theme park videos please be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube!

For more information about Universal Orlando, including tickets, visit the official website by clicking here!