Exciting Harry Potter announcements from the Back to Hogwarts 2026 showcase
The Wizarding World marked Back to Hogwarts Day on Sept. 1 with new announcements and broader details spanning immersive experiences, retail destinations and other developments across the “Harry Potter” franchise.
Pack your trunk, grab your wand and find a spot aboard the Hogwarts Express. Back to Hogwarts Day returned Sept. 1 with a new collection of announcements from across the Wizarding World, including immersive experiences, a major London retail destination and a freshly reimagined Sorting Ceremony.
Back to Hogwarts Day announcements and recaps
A new Sorting Hat quiz chooses your Hogwarts house
The new online Sorting Hat experience is at least the third major version of the official house quiz. The original debuted with Pottermore in 2011, followed by a redesigned Sorting Ceremony when Wizarding World replaced Pottermore in 2019. The latest version launched for Back to Hogwarts Day 2026, once again inviting fans to discover whether they belong in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi teases 3 new themed lands
Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi will reveal three new themed lands Sept. 7, according to a surprise teaser shown during the Back to Hogwarts 2026 showcase.
The brief announcement did not identify the properties inspiring the lands or disclose their attractions and opening timelines. Warner Bros. World previously confirmed that the Middle East’s first Harry Potter-themed land is under development at the indoor theme park, but the showcase did not explicitly identify it as one of the three projects included in the upcoming reveal.
Warner Bros. World currently contains six themed lands based on DC, Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera properties. The addition of three more would represent a significant expansion for the Yas Island destination.
New look at “ICE! featuring Harry Potter”
New concept art revealed during the Back to Hogwarts showcase offered a closer look at “ICE! featuring Harry Potter,” coming to Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, from Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.
Rendering from Gaylord Hotels
The 9-degree walk-through experience will use 2 million pounds of ice to recreate 10 scenes from the “Harry Potter” films. Newly shown artwork depicts the Hogwarts Express arriving at Hogsmeade Station, treats inspired by Honeydukes, a Hogwarts Castle playground with two-story ice slides and a Christmas feast in the Great Hall.
Other announced scenes include Hedwig, the Forbidden Forest, The Three Broomsticks and a Quidditch Pitch display celebrating the four Hogwarts houses.
“Hogwarts House Spirit” comes to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter’ will introduce a new seasonal feature called ‘Hogwarts House Spirit‘ from Jan. 23 through April 19, 2027. The experience will celebrate Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin throughout the Studio Tour’s authentic sets, costumes and props.
Additional details and ticket information will be announced later.
New broomstick experience coming to Harry Potter Shop New York
Harry Potter Shop New York will introduce a new broomstick experience, according to an announcement during the 2026 Back to Hogwarts showcase. Additional details, including what will distinguish it from the store’s existing broomstick photo-and-video experience and when it will debut, were not immediately announced.
The current experience lets visitors pose on a broomstick against green-screen scenes inspired by the “Harry Potter” films, including flights over London and Hogwarts Castle.
Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street opens Nov. 4
Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street will open Nov. 4, 2026, at The Ribbon, 134-140 Oxford Street in London. The Diagon Alley-inspired flagship will cover more than 21,000 square feet across two floors, making it the United Kingdom’s largest official Harry Potter Shop.
The immersive retail destination will feature a Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon above a Gringotts-themed area, a full-size Knight Bus and a Leaky Cauldron-inspired dining experience serving Butterbeer and Butterbeer ice cream. Exclusive merchandise will include a Diagon Alley wand, a Harry Potter Funko Pop and MinaLima artwork.
Other exciting Back to Hogwarts announcements
- HBO’s “Harry Potter” joins Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026
- New LEGO sets inspired by HBO’s “Harry Potter” series are in development.
- New Harry Potter food products are coming, including Chocolate Frogs, Exploding Bon Bons, a Sorting Hat hot chocolate bomb and a Harry’s birthday cake baking kit.
- A variety of new Harry Potter games are also planned
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