You don’t have to be a wizard or witch to find your Hogwarts House, customize a wand or make your own potion.
Muggles can be wizards for a day when they check out “Harry Potter: The Exhibition,” which opened at CambridgeSide in Cambridge on Friday, Sept. 13.
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” opened in Philadelphia in February 2022, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, then went to New York City. So this mark’s its New England debut as part of its tour around the country.
The exhibition is the product of Imagine Exhibitions, the same company that has produced dozens of other exhibitions, including “Titanic: The Exhibition” and “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition.”
“We want to satisfy those fans, and then we also want to let their significant others or friends or whomever also feel like they had a great experience,” Tom Zaller, president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, told MassLive. “Whether you’re getting educated, or you’re getting entertained, that’s our job. We want to create a great experience.”
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” lets fans become fully enveloped with the iconic moments, characters, settings and beasts from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films.
But before hopping on your broom to check it out for yourself, here’s what you should know about the exhibition from props to potions.
How does the exhibition work?
The first room where people enter “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is where guests register their wristbands.David Cifarelli
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is a self-guided tour, so you’re on your own while going through the experience. An audio guide is also available.
You start by buying a ticket and getting a wristband that acts as your pass through the space. You’ll activate your wristband by tapping it at a machine upon entry, fill out your name and take your picture before moving through the exhibition. The wristbands activate the interactive elements in each room and help you collect “House Points.”
What rooms are part of the exhibition?
The Hogwarts Houses are among the 20 rooms in “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.”David Cifarelli
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is made up of more than 20 rooms. They include Page to Screen, Marauders Map, The Grand Staircase, The Great Hall, Wand Room, Divination Room, Potions Room, Herbology Room, The Dark Arts Room, Hagrid’s Hut, The Forbidden Forest, The Triwizard Tournament, Quidditch and The Cupboard Under The Stairs.
Each room ties in elements from the series and features actual props from the films. Most rooms have an interactive element. For example, you learn your Hogwarts House by taking a photo with the Sorting Hat or tap your wristband on a screen to create wands and potions. Rooms that don’t have an interactive element are intended for photos, such as The Great Hall and Hagrid’s Hut.
What sets this exhibition apart from other Harry Potter exhibitions?
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is the only touring Harry Potter exhibition that has original probs from the films.David Cifarelli
This Harry Potter exhibition is the only touring exhibition that features original props and costumes from the films, according to Zaller. At 30,000 square feet, this specific exhibition is also the largest touring Harry Potter exhibition in the world.
“The big distinguisher is the props and costumes, for sure, but also the way that this is produced. The media that’s used. The characters, the film clips, all this stuff,” Zaller said. “This is, as Warner Brothers calls it, the most comprehensive touring exhibition ever put on about ‘Harry Potter,’ so it’s pretty cool.”
Zaller also said it’s tough to compare this exhibition to experiences like those at Universal Studios or the studio tours in the United Kingdom because they are so different.
“You can’t relate the two,” he said. “What makes us special is, there’s no props or costumes there. So that’s definitely a differentiator. Also, we’re in more intimate spaces.”
Why did the exhibition come to Cambridge?
Imagine Exhibitions decided that the Boston area would be a great market for “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” because of the high population of educated residents who, Zaller believes, were more likely to have read the original Harry Potter books and would be more inclined to come to the exhibition. The company also liked the space and has developed a great partnership with businesses in the area.
“We’ve promoted other shows here in the past. We like the city,” Zaller said. “It’s a great market. One of the top markets in the country. So we’re happy to be here.”
Is there a gift shop?
The gift shop at “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” sells exclusive merchandise and food items.David Cifarelli
The exhibition does have a gift shop that sells exclusive merchandise, including apparel, jewelry and edible treats, such as Chocolate Frogs and bottled Butterbeer. Eighty percent of the items in the gift shop are only available at this specific exhibition, according to Zaller.
How long does it take?
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” takes between 60 and 90 minutes to go through.
How long is the exhibition in Massachusetts?
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is a temporary installation and is slated to be in Massachusetts until Jan. 5, 2025.
When is the exhibition open?
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is open seven days a week, but hours vary by day. A Flex Ticket guarantees you entry on any date and time within operating hours. For timed tickets, you must arrive within your designated time slot. Zaller recommends people come during the week to avoid bigger crowds.
Where is the exhibition located?
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is located in the space of the former Best Buy inside CambridgeSide at 100 CambridgeSide Place in Cambridge.
How much do tickets cost?
Tickets start at $25 for adults and $19 for children during the week, then go up to $29 and $24 on weekends and holidays. Tickets can be purchased online.
More information about “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” can be found online.
