Tickets Available for 5th Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando January 26-28, 2018

Updated January 2, 2018

Harry Potter film star Natalia Tena (Nymphadora Tonks) will join this year’s “A Celebration of Harry Potter” event at Universal Orlando Resort from January 26-28, 2018. She will attend alongside previously announced film talent Stanislav Yanevski (Viktor Krum), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) and James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley).

This will be Tena’s first ever appearance at “A Celebration of Harry Potter.” She first joined the cast of the Harry Potter films in 2007 as Nymphadora Tonks in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and then later reprised the role in Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 & 2. Fans will remember Tonks for her customary shade of bubble-gum-pink hair and her bravery fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts in the film series.

Updated November 20, 2017

Bonnie Wright will join “A Celebration of Harry Potter” event at Universal Orlando Resort in 2018.  Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films, last attended the 2016 Celebration of Harry Potter event where she engaged in Q&A panels about the film, appeared on stage during the opening night event, and even did some impromptu mingling with the guests and posed for selfies with fans.

Photo by Sheri Lowen © 2014 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.

In addition, Universal Orlando also announced the return of the popular Harry Potter Expo.  Exhibitors at the Harry Potter Expo will include: MinaLima, Pottermore, Scholastic, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. More details will be revealed at a later date.

A Celebration of Harry Potter Panels

Panels and Q&A sessions will feature Harry Potter film and creative talent. Admission into panels and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

NEW: Graphic Design for Film: Creating Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes

Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, founders of the graphic design studio MinaLima, will share insights into their role as graphic designers for the Harry Potter film series, specifically referencing Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes to describe the process of developing the design of the shop from book to screen. Additionally, they will discuss their broader experience designing The Wizarding World from publishing to their involvement in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.

NEW: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Special Effects Supervisor, John Richardson

For the first time ever, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is bringing John Richardson to A Celebration of Harry Potter to share his personal stories from working on the all eight Harry Potter films. In this panel, guests will discover how flying broomsticks, floating candles, fire-breathing dragons, wand explosions and more were created on set.

The Making of Harry Potter exhibit at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London

NEW: The Magic of Costumes in Harry Potter

Guests can join Jany Temime, the award-winning costume designer behind the last six Harry Potter films and exhibition curator Eddie Newquist, who will discuss the importance of costumes in the Harry Potter films and how specific pieces will continue to leave a lasting impression.

BURBANK, CA – DECEMBER 07: A view from J.K. ROWLING’S WIZARDING WORLD: The Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Exhibit at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood at Warner Bros. Studios on December 7, 2016 in Burbank, California. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood)

Original post from October 27 follows below

Universal Orlando announced the 5th Celebration of Harry Potter will take place at the Florida resort the weekend of January 26-28, 2018.  The fan event features stars from the Harry Potter universe including, for the first time, Stanislav Yanevski – the actor who played Viktor Krum in the 2005 film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  In addition to film talent, the weekend includes a Harry Potter Expo, panels, demonstrations, film screenings, and, of course, access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at both Universal Orlando theme parks.  Continue reading below for more details on the 5th Celebration of Harry Potter, and click here for a recap of our family’s visit to the event.

From Universal Orlando’s Press Release

Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. announced the return of “A Celebration of Harry Potter,” on January 26-28, 2018. This ultimate fan event can only be experienced at Universal Orlando Resort and will feature an array of interactive and engaging experiences that will allow guests to celebrate their love for the stories from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World.

For the first time in event history, Stanislav Yanevski (Viktor Krum) will attend the special event and participate in festivities throughout the weekend, alongside returning fan-favorites James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley). More talent will be announced at a later date.

During the 3-day celebration, guests will also have the opportunity to:

• Attend Q&A sessions with select film talent (complete talent lineup will be announced at a later date)
• Experience and participate in the interactive and unique activities and displays from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World at the Harry Potter Expo
• Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Plus, ride the Hogwarts Express between the two lands with a park-to-park ticket
• And much more!

Celebration vacation packages are on sale now. On-site hotel packages start at $285 per adult per night, including tax, and include exclusive benefits such as special guest access to the Harry Potter Expo, admission to a private evening reception in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, special access to panels and demonstrations and special access to new Workshops – more details coming soon.

Packages also include three-night hotel accommodations at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel and three-day two-park, park-to-park tickets to Universal Studios Florida AND Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This package also includes special rates and benefits for Annual Passholders and Florida Residents. Packages are available on a first come, first served basis. For complete details and other packages available, click here.

Harry Potter Chalk Art Walk

Prepare to be blown away by some of the most talented chalk artists who will draw your favorite characters and scenes from Harry Potter, as well as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

You can also let your creativity shine and show off your skills in the fan chalk art gallery that will be on display throughout the entire event.

Harry Potter chalk art walk, image courtesy Universal Orlando Resort

Wand Combat Skills with Paul Harris

This interactive panel will offer you the chance to pick up your wand and take part in a live dueling masterclass, hosted by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and featuring the world’s only Wand Combat Chorographer, Paul Harris. *Kids panel will also be offered for guests ages 12 and under

Harry Potter Knowledge Challenge

It’s time to finally put those trivia skills to the test. This audience-participation game will have fans of all ages showing off how well they really know the Harry Potter films.

Harry Potter knowledge challenge, image courtesy Universal Orlando Resort

Dance like a Beauxbatons and Battle like a Durmstrang

At this demonstration, you’ll learn the movements and techniques from a Universal Orlando choreographer that works with the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students who perform at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Access to A Celebration of Harry Potter is included with regular theme park admission or with an annual or seasonal pass. Certain activities are first-come, first-served. Exclusive event vacation packages are also available for purchase and include special benefits and reserved sections for the panels and demonstrations.  For more information about the event, tickets and available exclusive event vacation packages, click here.

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