{"id":36699,"date":"2023-09-11T10:30:10","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T08:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1878308"},"modified":"2023-09-11T12:47:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T10:47:33","slug":"back-to-hogwarts-day-2023-what-is-it-when-is-it-and-best-harry-potter-gifts-to-buy-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/back-to-hogwarts-day-2023-what-is-it-when-is-it-and-best-harry-potter-gifts-to-buy-in-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to Hogwarts Day 2023: What is it, when is it and best Harry Potter gifts to buy in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Back to Hogwarts day is here again and we\u2019ve got the best tips for how to celebrate it. Whether you want to save on Harry Potter LEGO sets or go stand on Platform 9 \u00be itself, here\u2019s everything you need to know \u2013 we just hope you\u2019ve got your ticket ready. <\/p>

By Olivia Garrett\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 11 September 2023 at 08:30 AM<\/p>

\n\n

It\u2019s been 26 years since The Philosopher\u2019s Stone was first published and we\u2019re still waiting for that Hogwarts letter \u2013 guess the owl post must be slow.<\/p>\n

But just because some of us haven\u2019t had our wizarding skills recognised, doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t all join together to celebrate the magical phenomenon that is Harry Potter.<\/p>\n

What started with a boy living under the stairs quickly became one of the biggest franchises of all time \u2013 over 500 million copies sold, $7.7 billion made at the box office, and a legacy that spawned plays, spin-off films, theme parks and so much more.<\/p>\n

Now, we commemorate all of this each year with a celebration known as Back to Hogwarts Day.<\/p>\n

On this day, Harry Potter fans all over the world make gestures to show their love for the boy who lived. Whether that\u2019s by visiting Harry Potter Studios in Leavesden or by buying a shiny new piece of merchandise online. Even if you just fancy curling up on the sofa and reading Goblet of Fire for the 10th time, you\u2019ll still be part of the massive worldwide celebrations.<\/p>\n

But what exactly is Back to Hogwarts Day? And how should you celebrate it? Well, hold on to your wands because we\u2019re about to explain everything you need to know about this spellbinding holiday.<\/p>\n

Shop Back to Hogwarts Day deals at LEGO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Jump to:<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is Back to Hogwarts Day?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
When is Back to Hogwarts Day?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
Back to Hogwarts Day at King\u2019s Cross<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
Best Harry Potter products and experiences<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat is Back to Hogwarts Day?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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TripAdvisor<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Quite simply, Back to Hogwarts Day takes place each year to mark the day Harry Potter returns to school via the Hogwarts Express.<\/p>\n
In the books, the scarlet steam train leaves every year from Platform 9 \u00be which, as you probably remember, is hidden behind a secret brick wall at King\u2019s Cross Station.<\/p>\n
When is Back to Hogwarts Day 2023?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Hogwarts Express always leaves at the exact same date and time: 1st September at 11 o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n
This year, it falls on a Friday so make sure you don\u2019t miss it, because in real life we don\u2019t have any flying Ford Anglias for you to steal.<\/p>\n
Are there any live Back to Hogwarts Day events at London\u2019s Kings Cross station this year?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Kings Cross is the place to be on Back to Hogwarts Day, as each year the celebrations have got bigger and bigger. Thousands of Harry Potter fans gather, many in costume, and countdown the seconds together until 11 o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n
At this point, the train to Hogsmeade actually appears on the departures board and an announcement is made over the intercom, followed by a rendition of Hedwig\u2019s Theme.<\/p>\n
The day also now includes special activities organised by Wizarding World, the official Harry Potter fan club, such as the chance to sip on butterbeer, play Hogwarts Legacy on PlayStation 5, and take part in a number of LEGO Harry Potter giveaways. You can also try and win free gifts by spinning Bloomsbury\u2019s giant wand spinner and, of course, there\u2019s hundreds of opportunities to take photos.<\/p>\n
Best Harry Potter products and experiences to celebrate Back to Hogwarts Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n
We can\u2019t tell muggles such as yourselves where to find Diagon Alley, but we can give you this list of fabulous Harry Potter products and experiences. From special edition LEGO sets to Harry Potter cocktail evenings, these are the best things to help you celebrate Back to Hogwarts Day:<\/p>\n
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