Calling all Harry Potter fans—you won’t want to miss this! Chicago is hosting a new interactive Harry Potter experience that will transport visitors to Hogwarts with scenes from the J.K. Rowling series.
This immersive multi-sensory experience will use decorated sets, music, and audio to create the wizarding world and Harry’s journey to Hogwarts. Expect lots of photo opportunities! Explore, climb, and play your way through three floors of fun packed with playful celebrations of your favorite places and moments!
This Chicago installation is the first globally for this unique pop-up experience. Last year, Water Tower Place hosted the Dr. Suess Experience in this ground-floor space.
The 30,000-square-foot site will simulate Harry’s journey into wizarding with hands-on playing and exploring, including:
- 4 Privet Drive – the Dursley’s Living room and see the cupboard under the stairs
- Hop on the boat to Hogwarts
- Attend a class at Hogwarts like levitating a feather in Charms Class
- Make a potion in the dungeon
- Fend off a swarm of Cornish Pixies in defense against the dark arts
- Practice Quidditch
- Visit Hargrids pumpkin patch and the Forbidden Forest
Tickets (starting at $37.50 for adults and $29.50 for children nine and under) are on sale now at www.HarryPotterMagicAtPlay.com. Timeslots are for an hour, but you can stay past if more time is needed. Premium Tickets include full access to the experience plus: Skip-the-line privileges for entry to the experience, one exclusive Harry Potter™: Magic at Play tote bag, and one coat/item check.
- Dates: November 11, 2022 to May 14, 2023
- Location: Water Tower Place, 835 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
- (at the corner of N Michigan Avenue and E Pearson Street)
- Gift Shop: Open to the public (no ticket required) with licensed items, food, and beverages, including Butterbeer.
Excited?!?
Now is the time to brush up on your Harry Potter, or it’s not too late to start the series. You can always watch the movies, but we think the books are even better! We always read the book and then watched the movie and love discussing the differences between the two.
- The British Library created an online version of its popular exhibit Harry Potter: A History of Magic.
- A free, online Harry Potter-themed escape room that you can play by yourself or with friends! The game experience is best when played on a desktop, laptop, or tablet.
- Hogwarts Digital Escape Room
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery App: This virtual adventure walks you through all seven years of Hogwarts with a customizable character and immersive storyline.
- Hoopla: Listen to all of the Harry Potter books for FREE with your library card on your phone with the Hoopla app.
- Illustrated Books: If you are new to the Harry Potter series, try reading the illustrated versions together as a family to start!
- Dress like your favorite character: If you have a diehard Harry Potter fan, repurpose a Halloween costume for your visit to Chicago.
PS, can you tell we are excited Potter fans?! We will update you as more information is available!
