The international tour of Harry Potter: The Exhibition will make its next stop in the Middle East region – in Abu Dhabi – for the first time, debuting at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Saadiyat Island on Friday, 25 July. The most extensive touring exhibition ever created, it celebrates the enchanting world of Harry Potter and beyond, which has already captivated over 3.7 million fans worldwide.
The behind-the-scenes exhibition celebrates the iconic moments, characters, settings, and beasts as seen from the films of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, as well as the wonders of the extended Harry Potter universe, including costumes, props and imagery from the Tony award winning Broadway production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Guests can experience the beautifully crafted environments that honor many of the unforgettable moments from the films and that fans and audiences have loved for more than two decades, getting an up-close look at everything from original costumes to authentic props as they embark on a personalized journey through innovative, awe-inspiring, and magical environments using best-in-class immersive design and technology.
The exhibition is brought by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Imagine, and Eventim Live! Since its world premiere in Philadelphia in February 2022, Harry Potter: The Exhibition has captivated over 3.7 million fans and visitors worldwide. The exhibition has traveled to major cities around the globe and is currently on display in Salt Lake City, USA; Krakow, Poland and Melbourne, Australia.
“This exhibition celebrates the extended world of Harry Potter like no other touring exhibition has done before,” said Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine. “With its family-friendly environment and great appreciation for storytelling and adventure, Abu Dhabi is the perfect place for fans and families of all ages to experience the magic of the Wizarding World. We can’t wait to share it with visitors from near and far when we open this July.”
Nicolas Renna, Chief Executive Officer at Proactiv Entertainment, shared his enthusiasm, stating: “We are incredibly proud to bring Harry Potter™: The Exhibition to Abu Dhabi marking its debut not only in the UAE but across the region. This world-class experience invites fans to step beyond the screen and into the Wizarding World through a journey filled with iconic moments, authentic props, and interactive magic. As the summer approaches, we’re thrilled to offer families, fans, and visitors a one-of-a-kind indoor experience that blends storytelling, innovation, and imagination – all under one roof.”
Exhibition Gallery Highlights
From Page to Screen Gallery showcases a first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone encased in a Gringotts-inspired vault and is surrounded by inspirational video and literary quotes, reconnecting guests to the story as they are introduced to the exhibition.
Hogwarts Castle Gallery features an immersive multimedia experience with iconic elements like the Whomping Willow, Dementors, and the Marauder’s Map, where guests will see their name appear, prompting them to continue their exploration of the exhibition.
The Great Hall Gallery is a space that allows visitors to celebrate magical seasonal moments in its iconic architecture.
The Hogwarts Houses gallery sets the foundation for the exhibition experience, allowing guests the opportunity to experience more personalized moments with the Hogwarts house they select during their pre-registration. While guests may gravitate towards one house, this gallery will enable visitors to experience all the Hogwarts houses in a celebratory hall featuring the iconic Sorting Hat, perfect for photo ops, while surrounded by freshly designed house crests on meticulously created stained glass windows.
Hogwarts Classrooms are filled with iconic props, creatures, and costumes. Visitors will interact with magical lessons and games through digital touchscreens to reveal behind-the-scenes secrets about iconic classroom moments. They will brew potions in the Potions Classroom, predict the future in Divination, pot a mandrake in the Herbology Greenhouse, and use their digital wand to defeat a boggart in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Hagrid’s Hut and The Forbidden Forest offer an interactive Patronus charm experience. Guests will then uncover iconic creatures, such as centaurs and Acromantula, hidden in the forest and explore inside a recreation of Hagrid’s Hut.
An exclusive collection of Harry Potter: The Exhibition merchandise will be available in the onsite retail shop for guests to celebrate their fandom. Fans can choose from a range of products such as apparel, jewelry, and edible treats, including Chocolate Frogs. There will also be merchandise not available at any other Harry Potter experience.
J.K. Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter novels have been brought to life in an ever-evolving, interconnected universe which is loved by millions of fans worldwide. Eight blockbuster Harry Potter films and three epic Fantastic Beasts films bring the spellbinding action to life on screen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child mesmerizes on stage, and state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games allow players to experience the wizarding world like never before. Fans can proudly showcase their passion through innovative consumer products, and thrill at spectacular location-based experiences – including five theme park lands at Universal Studios locations around the world.