If you are the sort of person who gets goosebumps thinking about how Sirius Black’s mom burned his name off the family tree wallpaper, or how the Nargles may have made off with Luna Lovegood’s sneakers, there’s no better place for you in the months ahead than the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition’’ is now open at the museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway.
Philadelphia is the first stop for the 20,000-square-foot, behind-the-scenes exhibition, which invites fans into the magical world of “Harry Potter,’’ and the expanding worlds of J.K. Rowling’s ”Fantastic Beasts’’ and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.’’ It will run through Sept. 18 before embarking on a world tour. (Future host cities have not yet been revealed.)
Filled with props, costumes, immersive environments and interactive fun, the “Harry Potter’’ experience can be personalized — upon arrival guests use a touchscreen to select a favorite character. Using a scannable wristband, their choice will make the visitor’s experience extra special.
The much-anticipated exhibit is more popular than a Quidditch World Cup, so plan accordingly and order your tickets in advance.
Earlier:‘Harry Potter: The Exhibition’ tickets are now on sale for Philadelphia premiere
What is the exhibit like?
I toured a preview of the exhibition (as Hermione Granger, of course) just before it opened on Friday.
Here, according to this big fan, are the 12 coolest things you will encounter – saving best for last —if you and your favorite Muggles attend the show:
1. Gain points for your house by getting a Quaffle through a ring at the Quidditch match. If you ever wished you were a chaser like Ginny Weasley, this is your big chance.
2. Repot a screeching Mandrake in Professor Sprout’s Herbology Class. It may leave your ears ringing, but it’s worth it. (This is perhaps the coolest classroom).
3. As is often the case at major exhibitions anywhere, guests will exit through the gift shop. Sometimes that is annoying but in this case it’s quite fun. Have some extra gold stored in your vault at Gringotts? Stock up on Harry Potter swag and gifts in the shop, which offers everything from chocolate frogs to Daily Prophet tote bags to Dobby plush dolls.
4. Conjure something Riddikulus to fend off the shape shifting Boggarts (your greatest fears) in your Defense Against the Dark Arts Class.
5. Get ready to feel a full range of human emotion as you check out many costumes from the “Harry Potter’’ film series and a few from ‘‘Fantastic Beasts’’ and the Broadway show “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.’’ It’s particularly fun to see Luna Lovegood’s outfit, and sad to view the robes Cedric Diggory wore when he met his fate. You’ll likely get chills when you spy Bellatrix LeStrange’s black gown or the Dark Lord’s (we don’t dare utter his name) wand. But that’s not as scary as when you approach the unmistakably Pepto Bismol pink suit of Dolores Umbridge.
6. If you always wanted to cast your Patronus, now is your chance. Since I was Hermione, I got to conjure an otter and banish those joy-sucking Dementors.
7. Do watching the movie scenes in Hogwarts make you crave Cornish Pasties and Pumpkin Juice? Visit the Great Hall. While you cannot dine exactly, you will get to see those amazing, suspended candles over the mammoth tables.
8. We already know Professor Trelawney didn’t think much of Hermione’s talent for Divination, but that doesn’t mean you can’t seek your own prophesy in her class. Just gaze into her crystal ball …
9. There is no more powerful theme in all of the Harry Potter canon than the importance of friendship. So bring along your besties and take a selfie in Harry’s room beneath the stairs, behind Professor Umbridge’s desk or in a giant chair inside Hagrid’s Hut.
10. Not to brag or anything, but I earned 10 points for Gryffindor by brewing some Felix Felicis, or liquid luck, just by guessing (apparently, I don’t need any more luck!) in my Advanced Potions Class.
11. Hands down, one of the coolest things in “Harry Potter: The Exhibition’’ is near the entrance, where a giant Marauder’s Map is projected onto three walls. I will not ruin the surprise but definitely scan your wristband everywhere you are asked to do so to get the most out of this show, and take your time in this room and every room, even if it means Argus Filch catches you out of bed.
12. My favorite part of the exhibit was traveling by portkey. Again, I’m not going to ruin the fun for you. Just remember to bring your wand, your friends and your imagination.
There are many more things to do and see throughout the Wizarding World, though I would say you need at least some working knowledge of either the books or the films to make the most of it.
My overall impression?
To paraphrase Hermione Granger, it’s pure “pleasure.’’
Go: “Harry Potter: The Exhibition’’ is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and requires special timed tickets; advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Daytime Tickets: 9:30 am. to 5 p.m., adult $43; child $39 and includes admission to The Franklin Institute. Evening ticket are: 5 to 8 pm, adult $30; child $30.
Visitors are encouraged to follow Harry Potter: The Exhibition on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, as well as all social media channels for The Franklin Institute. #HarryPotterExhibition
Toasting the Wizarding World
If you’re over 21 and can’t get enough of Harry Potter, this beer’s for you. Rather, beers.
Evil Genius Beer Company, the Fishtown and Philadelphia-based brewing company, celebrates “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” and the return of in-person events with a special new exclusive beer, cocktails, a new running club, a drag brunch and a block party.
The brewery is releasing a glitter beer, Spoiler Alert: It’s LeviOSa, not LevioSA, at 6% ABV.
Evil Genius also will debut two new specialty-theme cocktails with Throwing Snowballs at Voldemort (butterbeer slushie with Stateside Vodka) and Defrosting Broomsticks (butterbeer-inspired martini).
Hogwarts Running Club’s Harry Potter 0.5K, a charity fundraiser, will take place on Saturday, March 12. The runners will wear Hogwarts house colors and race around the block on foot, broom or owl. Tickets include a swag bag and proceeds support Trans Lifeline. (J.K. Rowling upset LGBTQ+ groups and many fans when she tweeted support for an anti-trans researcher.)
Also on March 12, Evil Genius will host the Evil Genius Block Party: The Lab Turns 5 from noon to 6 p.m.
For details, visit www.evilgeniusbeer.com.
Also in Philadelphia
In full bloom:Philadelphia Flower Show heads outside again in June
Calling all Phisheads:Phish set summer dates in Atlantic City, Philadelphia and beyond
Secret history:Airbnb offers ‘Made By Us,’ behind-the-scenes tours of historical Philadelphia sites
Honoring a hero:Harriet Tubman traveling sculpture unveiled at Philadelphia’s City Hall
Tammy Paolino is Features Editor for the Atlantic South region of the USA Today Network. She’s an award-winning reporter and editor who loves to cover trends, diversity, the arts, food and drink. Reach her at tpaolino@gannett.com or 856-486-2477 or on Twitter @CP_TammyPaolino. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
