5 ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ release parties where you can relive your childhood dreams
Nine years after 'Deathly Hallows,' celebrate a new play based in the wizarding world at these local bashes.
Want fun things to do in Boston, delivered to your inbox every Thursday? Sign up for the BosTen newsletter, our weekly roundup of 10 not-lame events in the city. You can also out our events calendar at boston.com/events.Although the last book in J.K. Rowling’s groundbreaking, record-breakingHarry Potter series was released nine years ago this month, fans have hardly gone hungry for new content. Sure, the similarly record-breaking movie franchise stretched another four years (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II hit theatres in July 2011), but even that only scratched the surface. The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a book of short stories based on ones mentioned in the series, was released in December 2008. The website Pottermore, created to give readers a new perspective on the books, launched in April 2012. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a brand new spin-off movie starring Eddie Redmayne, will mark Rowling’s screenwriting debut with its release this November. And now, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, billed as “the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage,” officially opens following previews in London’s West End on Saturday. Luckily for those of us across the pond, Rowling has found a way to include all of her devoted Potterheads in the excitement (other than constantly tweeting new nuggets of information).
Have just heard that James S Potter has been Sorted (to nobody’s surprise) into Gryffindor. Teddy Lupin (Head Boy, Hufflepuff) disappointed.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 1, 2015
The script for Cursed Child will be released as a book at midnight on Sunday, July 31 (Harry Potter’s birthday), following the play’s official debut. It’s available for preorder, but the impending magic of the night itself is hard to deny.
Here are five places right here in Boston where you can celebrate the midnight release with your fellow witches and wizards.
Brookline Booksmith
Although the bookstore has said that more details about “wizardly contests, costumes, and concoctions” are still being finalized, decorative preparations are already underway for this midnight release party—complete with photo booth props that resemble Hagrid’s beard and Rita Skeeter’s glasses. The bookstore is also offering a 20 percent off preorder special. (Saturday, July 30 at 9 p.m.; Brookline Booksmith; free; all ages)
Porter Square Books
Harry Potter trivia, a photo booth, a costume competition, a coloring corner, and a fan fiction open mic: Are you feeling the déjà vu yet? In the words of Porter Square Books, “We’re gonna party like it’s 2007!” Here, you can also guarantee a copy will be waiting for you at midnight by preordering for 20 percent off. (Saturday, July 30 at 10:30 p.m.; Porter Square Books; free; all ages)
Harvard Book Store
Not only can you preorder for 20 percent off, but if you also RSVP to the event online, you might be randomly chosen to be the first to receive a book at midnight—so make sure you wear your best robes. House colors and costumes are encouraged; Harry Potter-themed refreshments, trivia, and a sorting ceremony are included. (Saturday, July 30 at 10 p.m.; Harvard Book Store; free; all ages)
Harvard Square
Arrive at Harvard Square a few hours before midnight for an outdoor screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—you can re-experience the story from the very beginning. Plus: Magician Bob Riordan will dazzle; popcorn will pop; Potter swag will be given away; and, at midnight, books from the Harvard COOP will be sold at 30 percent off with no preorder necessary. (Saturday, July 30 at 8:15 p.m.; Palmer Street, Cambridge; free; all ages)
Barnes & Noble at Prudential Center
One of the biggest book retailers in the country is going nationwide for its celebration. Starting on June 24, Potterheads can enter for a chance to win a set of seven limited edition Harry Potter prints from Barnes & Noble, and two people per store will be randomly chosen as winners at the midnight release party. During the countdown-to-the-release fest, attendees can participate in trivia, show Hogwarts house pride at the coloring station, and share their favorite memories of the wizarding world on the “Muggle Wall.” (Saturday, July 30 at 8 p.m.; Barnes & Noble at the Prudential Center; free; all ages)
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