Harry Potter: Back to Hogwarts at King’s Cross platform 9¾ - When is it? Where is it? How to take part

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

The Wizarding World has launched a competition to find the UK’s biggest Harry Potter fan to lead the countdown at Back to Hogwarts at King’s Cross.

Marking Harry Potter’s birthday today (July 31), the search is on for the UK’s biggest Harry Potter fan to lead the Hogwarts Express departure countdown at Back to Hogwarts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having begun organically, as a fan celebration, each year on September 1, Back to Hogwarts marks the moment when wizards and witches board the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾ at 11am, bound for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Thousands of fans from all over the world make the trip to London’s King’s Cross station.

Back to Hogwarts competition

The Wizarding World, which oversees the Harry Potter franchise, is inviting fans to once again unite on Back to Hogwarts Day to see the train to Hogsmeade light up the departure board at 11am.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It has launched a UK competition for one fan aged between five and 17 to travel to King’s Cross and help host the countdown. The competition is now live and fans can submit a video (via their parent or guardian) of their best countdown online by 11.59pm on August 7.

The winner, and a parent or guardian, will also get a Harry Potter London Breaks Experience, which includes tickets for the Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, as well a merchandise bundle from the Harry Potter Shop.

The Back to Hogwarts competition can be entered online.

Wizarding World searches for young Harry Potter fan to lead the iconic countdown at Back to Hogwarts, marking the Hogwarts Express’ departure from King’s Cross Station.Wizarding World searches for young Harry Potter fan to lead the iconic countdown at Back to Hogwarts, marking the Hogwarts Express’ departure from King’s Cross Station.
Wizarding World searches for young Harry Potter fan to lead the iconic countdown at Back to Hogwarts, marking the Hogwarts Express’ departure from King’s Cross Station. | Wizarding World

King’s Cross station platform 9¾

In addition to the countdown, from September 1-3, fans visiting King’s Cross will get the chance to sip on Butterbeer, play Hogwarts Legacy on PlayStation5 courtesy of Warner Bros Games, and enjoy Lego Harry Potter giveaways and photo opportunities. In celebration of the publication of The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac, fans will be able to spin Bloomsbury’s giant wand spinner and find out whose wand they are best suited to, with free gifts up for grabs for those taking part.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Harry Potter’s Back to Hogwarts is at King’s Cross on September 1. (Photo by Wizarding World)Harry Potter’s Back to Hogwarts is at King’s Cross on September 1. (Photo by Wizarding World)
Harry Potter’s Back to Hogwarts is at King’s Cross on September 1. (Photo by Wizarding World) | Wizarding World

Harry Potter cinema screenings

Around the day of Back to Hogwarts, Everyman will screen all eight films at Everyman Kings Cross and select Harry Potter movies at its cinemas nationwide. Odeon will present Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets nationwide over the course of the weekend.

Warner Bros

Pam Lifford, president, global brands, franchises and experiences, at Warner Bros Discovery, said: “Back to Hogwarts is a day cherished by Harry Potter fans of all ages, from all over the world. Just like their passion for the magic of the stories, their celebrations grow every year. 2023 is set to be a year like no other – we will see fan world record attempts in Germany, high octane quiz competitions in France and of course, the UK’s search to find the perfect person to join that amazing countdown. We are so proud to offer new and exciting ways to bring fans together and give them new ways to celebrate the Harry Potter magic – there’s nothing quite like Back To Hogwarts.”

Sign up for our newsletter for the latest updates, and follow LondonWorld on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Email us at [email protected]

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.