“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” Now Open in Munich

(eap) Since yesterday, Hogwarts fans have the opportunity to experience the travelling exhibition format “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” in Munich, for the first time in Germany. Until the beginning of September this year, well-known settings, characters as well as original props and costumes from the cinema films of the Harry Potter novel series and the spin-off “Fantastic Beasts” by successful author Joanne K. Rowling can be admired in the Kleine Olympiahalle (Small Olympic Hall) in Munich.

The “magical journey” through the experience exhibition, which was conceived by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment in collaboration with Imagine Exhibitions from the USA and Eventim Live, is effectively staged using immersive theme design and modern technologies. Guests receive a digital wristband at the start of their visit. In the short registration process for the wristband, Potter fans choose their favourite Hogwarts house, a wand and an animal as their personal patronus. More than a dozen interactive digital stations then await them in the extensive exhibition, where they can solve simple games and tasks – including brewing a potion, repotting mandrakes and waving their wands in Defence against the Dark Arts.

In addition, elaborate settings and recreated locations allow visitors to immerse themselves in the Harry Potter universe. The adventure tour starts with a faithful replica of the cupboard under the stairs from Harry’s “Muggle life”. The tour then moves on to Hogwarts, where the common rooms of the four Hogwarts houses are ready to be explored. Guests can also take a seat at the long dining table in the Great Hall, wander through the Forbidden Forest, visit Hagrid’s hut and enter the Ministry of Magic through a red telephone box. The sport of Quidditch, which is played on flying brooms, also plays a role in the Harry Potter exhibition – for example, there is a station where Quaffle balls have to be thrown through rings to collect points. At the end of the tour, guests are led through a large shop, where a varied selection of merchandise and fan articles are available for purchase.

It takes around 60 to 90 minutes to walk through the magical Harry Potter world, which celebrated its premiere in the USA in 2022 and has since been shown at several locations around the world. Another Harry Potter exhibition toured the world under the same name from 2009 to 2020, which was conceived by Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Global Experience Specialists (GES). Potter fans for whom Munich is a long way away still have the opportunity to visit the interactive art exhibition “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” at Odysseum in Cologne until 2 June this year. And at the Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt in Hamburg, performances of the elaborately staged play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” are still running. ■