Yer a wizard, Harry! Or at least, you can pretend to be once a new immersive Harry Potter experience opens in Chicago this fall.
Designed by Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and immersive experience company Superfly X, “Harry Potter: Magic at Play” plans to take up residence at Water Tower Place for its worldwide debut on November 11, where it will remain through May 2023. The three-floor, 30,000-square-foot exhibition will offer kid-friendly celebration of “Harry’s journey to Hogwarts,” including games, activations, set recreations and other themed installations to explore.
“From the moment guests arrive, they are immersed in Harry’s story and are an active participant in their own journey through innovative play, experiential sets, games and more,” said Peter van Roden, senior vice president of Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment, in a news release.
Details about the contents of “Magic at Play” are light so far, but Potterheads will nonetheless recognize some key names from the Harry Potter franchise. The exhibition begins at the Dursleys’ home at 4 Privet Drive before moving to Hogwarts, offering a series of interactive “classes”—like Potions, Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts—as well as quidditch courses and recreations of iconic locations like the Forbidden Forest and other “surprises,” according to a release. In addition to the ticketed exhibition area, visitors can also check out a gift shop that’s open to the public, where merch and wizard-approved food and drink items (like Butterbeer) will be available for purchase.
Ready to step into the wizarding world? Tickets for “Harry Potter: Magic at Play,” which start at $37.50 for adults and $29.50 for children 9 and under, go on sale August 3—though you can always join a waitlist in the meantime.