Wizards, witches and Muggles - wands at the ready! The countdown to Back to Hogwarts has begun, and this year’s festivities are set to be more magical than ever!

This year also marks 20 years since the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with this special fan screening event taking place at Cineworld Leicester Square on the 31st August, the eve of Back to Hogwarts. Tickets are free but limited to 600, necessary for entry, and must be reserved via the Eventbrite site.

The screening is not recommended for children under 12 years of age and attendees under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The doors open at 10:45 and seating is required by 11:45. Please see the FAQs and terms and conditions below for more information.

Ticket holders will join James and Oliver Phelps for a Q&A with host Yinka Bokinni, and are invited to dress in their best wizarding attire for the chance to win prizes from The LEGO® Company and The Noble Collection©. All attendees will also receive a Wizarding World, Micro Magical Moments Year 4 Collectible Figure Set from Spinmaster and a Harry Potter 7" Lumos Wand from WOW! Stuff in a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child London branded tote bag.

Fun in the foyer photo opportunities will include a themed Great Hall photo op from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter.

FAQs

What is the Back to Hogwarts celebration 2025?

The Back to Hogwarts special screening event for 2025 is a free, commemorative screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, celebrating the film’s 20th anniversary, taking place on 31st August. As well as the screening, there will be a Q&A from James and Oliver Phelps (the Weasley twins), and photo opportunities within the cinema.

Additionally, a Quidditch photo set up with the Harry Potter statue will be in Leicester Square on 31st August and open to the public. There will be a queuing system in operation between 09:00am - 18:00pm.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will also be re-released in cinemas nationwide across the August bank holiday weekend. Please refer to your local cinema listings for more information.

Fans are reminded that there will be no event, countdown or train announcement at King’s Cross Station on 1st September – and are strongly advised not to travel in order to avoid disappointment.

What is Back to Hogwarts?

Back to Hogwarts is a day celebrated each year on the 1st September, marking the day that students would travel on the Hogwarts Express to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The beloved tradition has grown into an annual global celebration of all things Harry Potter.

Please note that this year our activity is taking place on Sunday 31st August.

When is the Back to Hogwarts event?

The celebration event will take place in London on Sunday 31st August. We have chosen to celebrate the day before the usual Back to Hogwarts date (1st September) so our activity can happen on a weekend, and more people will be able to enjoy it.

Will anything be happening at Kings Cross station?

Come 1st September, there will be no event, departure board or countdown at the station, and fans are strongly discouraged from travelling to London King’s Cross.

Where is it?

Cineworld Leicester Square, 5-6 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA

How do I get there?

Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus underground stations are both less than a 5 minute walk away.

Is there a cost to visit?

No. The screening is accessed through a free ticket. All guests (including children) will need to make sure they have a free ticket to attend the screening.

Anyone can take a photo with the Quidditch theming around the Harry Potter statue without a ticket and a queuing system will be in operation throughout the day from 09:00am - 18:00pm.

What time does the activity take place?

For the screening, the cinema doors open at 10.45am, and all guests will need to be seated by 11.45am.

The Harry Potter statue will be open for photos with the Quidditch theming from 09.00am until 18.00pm

How do I get a ticket to the screening event?

Tickets are FREE via the Eventbrite site but strictly limited in number. Tickets are required to attend the screening. All guests (including children) must have one. There will be no opportunity to access tickets on the day, so fans are advised to only attend Cineworld Leicester Square if they have a ticket.

Check Harry Potter socials and this Eventbrite page as there may be for additional tickets made available from returns throughout August.

What does a ticket grant?

Each ticket grants you entry to the screening at Cineworld and the Q&A with Oliver and James Phelps.

Will I receive a paper ticket?

Tickets will be sent electronically once you have secured them on Eventbrite. Guests should bring their ticket, preferably on their phones, for paperless entry. Please note that tickets will be scanned on arrival.

When should I arrive?

For the film screening, please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before doors open at 10.45am.

Even with a ticket, guests should be aware that it is likely they will experience a queue prior to their entry.

You can arrive at any time from 09:00am - 17.30pm to see the Harry Potter statue with Quidditch theming, but please be aware that there may be queues for photos.

How long will my visit last?

Guests to the screening should expect a finish time of around 15.10pm

What if I don't have a ticket? Can I still come?

If you don’t have a ticket you will not be allowed entry to the film screening and you should not attempt to enter Cineworld.

You do not need a ticket to get a photo with the Harry Potter statue and Quidditch theming, and this is open to all. Please be aware that there may be queues for photos.

Additionally, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will be re-released in cinemas nationwide across the August bank holiday weekend. Please refer to your local cinema listings for more information.

What if tickets disappear before I can grab one?

This is a one-day-only, free celebration and tickets are strictly limited in number. If you are not able to get your hands on one, keep an eye on the official Harry Potter channels as there may be additional tickets released if orders are cancelled or returned, and we will be running exclusive giveaways and competitions throughout August to give as many fans as possible the chance to join in with the celebrations.

You may also be able to win tickets through partner channels like DiscoverLSQ, Bloomsbury and the Cursed Child, so keep an eye on social accounts.

What if I am late?

We will not be allowing late entry to the film screening, if you arrive after 11.45am we will not be able to permit you to the venue.

Can children attend?

Yes, little witches and wizards are welcome, however please note that the film is a 12A, and as such the event is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

Please note that all guests to the screening under the age of 16 must also be accompanied by an adult, and children attending will also need their own ticket.

Are buggies/strollers allowed?

Due to limited space, strollers and buggies are not permitted.

Are bags allowed?

All guests will be required to have their bags checked by our friendly security team before entering the event. Due to spacing capacity inside, only small bags (A4 or smaller) will be allowed inside the venue.

● No luggage, large backpacks, or bulky shopping bags will be permitted.

Can I take photos?

Photography and videography is encouraged at the Harry Potter statue photo, with the magical backdrops in the cinema and during the Q&A. Photography and videography is forbidden during the film screening.

Be sure to share your memories on social media using #BacktoHogwarts

Is anything for sale during the day?

No Galleons, Sickles, or Knuts needed - everything at the event is free.

Is the venue accessible for guests with disabilities?

Yes, the venue is fully accessible.

If you have specific needs, please contact us in advance and make yourself known to staff on the day who will be happy to assist you.

Can I bring my owl, cat, or toad?

Only registered assistance animals will be permitted inside the venue.

What should I wear?

Dress in your most magical attire! House scarves, wizarding robes, wands – it’s a celebration after all, so please feel free to get creative. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed guests at the event so guests are warmly encouraged to attend in costume!

Who can I speak to if I have questions during the event?

Our friendly event staff will be around the venue and happy to assist you with any queries – look for the Back to Hogwarts Staff wearing branded t-shirts.

BACK TO HOGWARTS Ts AND Cs

BACK TO HOGWARTS (the “Event”) takes place on Sunday 31st August 2025
Doors will open at 10.45am, and all guests must be seated by 11.45am
The whole event will finish at 15.07pm
The film run time is 2 hours and 42 minutes
The Event will take place at Cineworld Leicester Square. The nearest stations to the venue are Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.
Tickets for the Event are free of charge
Each guest can reserve up to 5 tickets. You must be 18 or over to book a ticket.
Tickets can be returned and reallocated subject to availability on Eventbrite, if you can no longer attend, please cancel on Eventbrite so your ticket/s can be reallocated
The organisers reserve the right to cancel tickets that appear to be part of bulk registrations or suspicious activity, in order to ensure fair access for all attendees
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a 12A
There is no age limit, but guests under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult
You will receive an email ticket, which you will need to show on arrival. Entry is not permitted without your email ticket. Late comers will not be admitted.
The organisers reserve the right to cancel, reschedule, or alter any aspect of the event without prior notice.
Where possible, we will notify attendees of major changes via the email used at registration.
The organisers are not liable for any costs or losses incurred due to event changes or cancellation.
The Event is wheelchair accessible. If you have any access requirements or questions, we are happy to help: backtohogwarts@premiercomms.com The data processing for access requirements will be handled by the Event organisers.
Any personal information processed will be handled in accordance with Event organiser’s Privacy Policy which can be found at: https://www.warnermediaprivacy.com/policycenter/b2c/WME/
Please note there will be lighting and sound effects throughout the Event - if you may have an adverse reaction to this, let a member of staff know on arrival
Food and drink will not be available at the Event
Guests are not permitted to bring plastic bottles of water or food into the Event venue. Exceptions will be made for medical reasons.
There will be toilet facilities on site
There will not be cloakroom facilities on site, and all patrons are kindly asked not to bring large suitcases or bags. Only A4 size bags will be permitted entry to the venue.
Security bag checks will be in operation.
Please be aware that commercial filming and photography may be taking place over the course of this event and by entering the experience, in purchasing a ticket to the Event you consent to being filmed and photographed
The Event organiser shall remain entitled to remove anyone from the venue who appears to be under the influence of drugs, highly intoxicated or conducting themselves in a manner that the Event organiser deems inappropriate.
Any personal data submitted by you will be handled in accordance with Event organiser’s Privacy Policy which can be found at: https://www.warnermediaprivacy.com/policycenter/b2c/WME/
No smoking; No pets or animals except for guide dogs and hearing dogs; No consumption of food or drink throughout the Event venue.
Any guests found in possession of illegal substances or weapons will be reported to the police.
The Event organisers do not accept responsibility for personal property lost, stolen or damaged during the event
The organisers reserve the right to refuse admission to the Event at their own discretion
We will use our reasonable endeavours to be open and operational during Event dates published but reserve the right to close the Event on any given day, whether for security or any other reason, without notice. In the event of such closure, any tickets issued for use only on the day of closure will be exchanged or refunded by the organiser at the price paid for them but no further compensation will be paid.
Guests will not be granted re-entry once they leave the Event
The materials incorporated within the Event including, without limitation, any sets, props, wardrobe, text, graphics, images, artwork, illustrations, photographs, animations, music, video, audio, audiovisual works, designs, logos, software and any other content (together, “Material”) are protected by copyrights, patents, trade secrets or other proprietary rights owned by the Event organisers.

Back to Hogwarts 2025 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' screening event