Harry Potter: Magic at Play to make worldwide debut in Chicago
Wizards and witches are invited to experience a Wizarding World of their own when Harry Potter: Magic at Play makes its worldwide debut on Nov. 11, 2022, at Chicago’s Water Tower Place.
Created by Superfly X and Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment, the first-of-its-kind interactive experience will allow fans of all ages to engage with 30,000 square feet of hands-on magical installations that celebrate Harry’s own discovery of the Wizarding World.
“When we set out to create Harry Potter: Magic at Play with our partners at Superfly X, we knew we wanted to bring Harry Potter’s world to fans in a hands-on and tactile way that gives all ages – but especially our younger guests – the ability to experience and play with the Wizarding World like never before,” said Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment Senior Vice President, Peter van Roden. “From the moment guests arrive, they are immersed in Harry’s story and are an active participant in their own journey through innovative play, experiential sets, games, and more.”
Like in the books and movies, the Harry Potter: Magic at Play journey begins at 4 Privet Drive, where guests can explore the Dursley’s living room (taking care not to disturb Harry in the cupboard under the stairs). Next, they’ll step onto a boat to cross the Great Lake to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where they can attend some of Hogwarts’ most well-known classes: Charms (where they’ll learn to master the Wingardium Leviosa levitation spell), Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts (where they may find themselves fending off a swarm of Cornish Pixies).
On the Hogwarts grounds, guests can practice Quidditch fundamentals, explore Hagrid’s pumpkin patch, and navigate the Forbidden Forest.
“With Harry Potter: Magic at Play we invite Wizarding World fans to experience the franchise in an all-new, playful way,” said Superfly X Co-President and Chief Strategy Officer Stacy Moscatelli. “Whether they are longtime fans of the Wizarding World, or young fans experiencing this incredible world for the very first time, guests will be able to enjoy a Harry Potter activity filled adventure all their own, as they celebrate Harry’s journey to Hogwarts.”
Harry Potter: Magic at Play will also feature a gift shop (open to both ticketed and non-ticketed guests) with bespoke and licensed items along with themed food and drinks, including Harry’s favorite: Butterbeer. Visitors can also send word to friends and family about their magical experience via owl post – which everyone knows is much faster than Muggle “snail mail.”
Harry Potter: Magic at Play will run from Nov. 11, 2022, to May 14, 2023, at Water Tower Place in Chicago. Hours are 12-8 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturdays; and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays. The experience will also be open on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check the ticketing page for the most up-to-date hours.
Standard tickets start at $37.50 for adults (age 10+) and $29.50 for children (ages three-nine). Children under two are free. Prices may fluctuate around in-demand or “peak” times and dates. Tickets go on sale on Aug. 3, 2022, at 10 a.m. CT for the general public. A special presale for Harry Potter Fan Club members is available through Aug. 2, 2022.
Sept. 1, 2022 – UPDATE:
To commorate “Back to Hogwarts Day” (the annual celebration marking the first day of classes at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardly), Harry Potter: Magic at Play has announced that a first-of-its-kind interactive Quidditch skills training experience will also make it’s worldwide debut in Chicago on Nov. 11, 2022.
Click here for more information.
