Harry Potter fans are being asked not to gather at King’s Cross Station for the annual Back To Hogwarts celebration on September 1st, but to join a virtual online celebration instead.
Traditionally, fans gather at London train station every year and raise their wands at 11am to celebrate the departure of the Hogwarts Express from the fictional Platform 9 3/4, taking students to the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for another year.
However, due to the coronavirus crisis, fans are being asked to stay home this year, so there will be a live-streamed event with appearances from movie stars such as James and Oliver Phelps, Jason Isaacs and Bonnie Wright.
There will also be quizzes to take part in and the cast of the West End play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will perform.
Fans can submit their photos for a digital mosaic that grows throughout the day so they can showcase their costumes.
The images will also be displayed inside King’s Cross, allowing enthusiasts to have a virtual presence in the station.
James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the films, said: “I’m so excited to be part of the first ever digital ‘Back to Hogwarts’!”
“2020 has definitely been a strange year and it’s really important that we all do everything we can to stay safe, including staying home. I hope fans will join us and continue the celebrations virtually.”
Oliver Phelps, who played George Weasley, added: “The fans of the Wizarding World are the greatest and to get the chance to share this special day with people all over the world will be amazing.”
“I’m really looking forward to everything this digital Back to Hogwarts has in store, and it’s a bonus that we can all do it from the sofa!”
Ahead of the event, fans can also visit the Back To Hogwarts Hub on Wizarding World.com, where they can join the Harry Potter Fan Club, get organized, and find other Harry Potter content.
The live stream also supports author JK Rowling’s charity Lumos and fans have the opportunity to make a donation at the touch of a button during the stream.
For more information about the event, which takes place between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. on September 1, visit wizardingworld.com/news/go-back-to-hogwarts-digitally-in-2020.
