Harry Potter’s iconic event permanently cancelled after years of magical tradition

Harry Potter’s iconic 'Back to Hogwarts' event has been permanently cancelled after years of magical tradition

The beloved Harry Potter tradition at London’s King’s Cross Station, where fans gather in costume every September 1 to mark the magical return to Hogwarts, has been officially and permanently cancelled.

Warner Bros Discovery, which axed the public event last year, has confirmed it will not be returning in 2025 either.

The event once drew hundreds of fans, often featuring celebrity appearances from the Wizarding World, including Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne.

Held at the symbolic Platform 9¾, the Back to Hogwarts event replicated the moment students boarded the Hogwarts Express, complete with countdowns and departure board announcements. But now, even those magical touches are gone.

A statement posted on the Wizarding World website last month read: “Special Hogwarts notice: alas, we must once again discourage fans from attending King’s Cross Station on 1st September, as there will be no countdown or train announcement occurring in 2025. Safety first, folks.”

A spokesperson also told The Sun that the decision to cancel the fan gathering is final.

While fans may miss the magic at King’s Cross, a special screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will be held at Cineworld Leicester Square instead, hosted by twin actors James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley).

However, the Hogwarts Express is set for a rebirth in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series for HBO.

The Wightwick Hall steam locomotive, built in 1948 and lovingly restored by volunteers over four decades, has been cast as the new train that whisks young wizards to school. It replaces the Olton Hall engine used in the original films.

The Wightwick Hall will spend half of each year filming the series for the next eight years, and the rest of the time running at Bluebell Railway in West Sussex as a tourist attraction.

Filming for the reboot began in May, with child actors Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout cast as Harry, Hermione, and Ron respectively. The series is set to air next year.