Back to Hogwarts Day casts a spell on Chicago

Every Sept.1, Potterheads around the world pause to imagine themselves boarding the Hogwarts Express. While we may be miles from Platform 9 ¾, Chicago has no shortage of wizarding-world fun to mark Back to Hogwarts Day in 2025. From magical sweets to big-screen throwbacks, here’s where to find the enchantment this year.

Back to Hogwarts 2025 kicks off with a global online showcase streaming on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, featuring start-of-term announcements and surprises. Fans can also visit the official Harry Potter shop on Michigan Avenue for exclusive, limited-time merchandise. 

Of course, the magic doesn’t stop there; LEGO is also joining the Back to Hogwarts celebration with its own spellbinding showcase. 

LEGO legends of the Wizarding World

Hogsmeade Village Collector’s Edition:  A 3,228-piece winter scene with seven iconic buildings, including the first LEGO versions of Zonko’s Joke Shop and the Hog’s Head. Features 12 minifigures, hidden passages, and detailed interiors.

Room of Requirement: A 202-piece gift-with-purchase (Sept. 1-7) featuring Neville Longbottom’s safe space. Hammocks and a portrait of Harry and friends areincluded. This is a foldable design that connects with other modular Hogwarts sets.

Quidditch Lesson: A 27-piece mini set recreating Harry’s first Quidditch lesson. Golden Snitch, Quaffle, and a Harry Potter minifigure included.

Hogsmeade Sign: A small decorative metal ornament featuring a LEGO-style Hogsmeade skyline with Honeydukes, The Three Broomsticks, and The Hog’s Head signs suspended from a gold-colored arch.

BrickHeadz The Goblet of Fire Figures: A 671-piece set with Harry, Cedric, Viktor, Fleur, and a Hungarian Horntail Dragon, each with accessories like the Golden Egg and Snitch.

BrickHeadz Luna Lovegood & Thestral Figures: A 292-piece set with Luna Lovegood and a flying Thestral, complete with an apple accessory and display baseplates.

Funko Bitty POP! Harry Potter Yule Ball 2-Pack: Mini set with Harry and Ginny in Yule Ball attire.

Funko Bitty POP! Harry Potter Yule Ball 2-Pack: Mini setwith Hermione and Viktor in Yule Ball looks.

Funko POP! Deluxe Albus Dumbledore with Fawkes: A six-inch collectible featuring Dumbledore and his phoenix, Fawkes, is part of the Order of the Phoenix lineup.

Funko POP! Nooks Harry Potter in Cupboard: A 3D collectible of Harry’s cupboard under the stairs.

The Harry Potter online shop has released a Back to Hogwarts 2025 limited edition enamel pin. It features Harry’s iconic Platform 9¾ crossing, complete with a movable design. 

 Movie Magic at Regal Theaters

Regal Cinemas is bringing the films back, with “Goblet of Fire” as this year’s spotlight. Chicago theaters are also offering limited-edition house combo tins and tumblers, plus a Butterscotch ICEE topped with cold foam and caramel, available Aug. 20–Sept 3, no ticket required. 

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A sweet start with Krispy Kreme

Starting Aug. 18, Krispy Kreme is offering five limited-edition Krispy Kreme x Harry Potter: Back to Hogwarts doughnuts inspired by the Hogwarts houses, Gryffindor (cookie butter cream and red icing), Slytherin (chocolate and green buttercream), Hufflepuff (brown butter toffee custard with golden icing), Ravenclaw (blueberry icing), and the Sorting Hat (mystery cream filling with chocolate icing and gold stars).

Pair your delicious doughnut with a Golden Snitch Latte.  A caramel toffee-inspired latte topped with whipped cream, Biscoff cookie crumble, and golden shimmer sugar for a sweet, magical sip.

On Aug. 23, fans can score a free Original Glazed doughnut by showing off their Hogwarts house pride by wearing something related to their house. 

Beginning Sept.1, Krispy Kreme is also launching a sweepstakes for a trip to Universal Studios’ Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Harry Potter hits Snapchat

Warner Bros. and Snap Inc. have teamed up to launch fun, immersive Snapchat filters in celebration of Back to Hogwarts Day. These special lenses transport your Bitmoji into key scenes from the Wizarding World, get sorted by the Sorting Hat, drop your name into the Goblet of Fire, reenact the giant wizard chess game, or pose like you're about to board the Hogwarts Express.

Finally, celebrate Back to Hogwarts Day at Harry Potter: Magic at Play in Water Tower Place. Experience three floors of an immersive experience that takes fans from Privet Drive to the Great Hall, with classes, Quidditch, Butterbeer, and exclusive merch. Open throughLabor Day, Sept. 1.