Harry Potter Fans Disappointed by Lack of “‘Back to Hogwarts’” Tradition at King’s Cross: Find Out Why

Back-to-school season can be an exciting time — especially for fans of the Harry Potter series. Although fans traditionally gather in London to celebrate the countdown for the departure of the fictional Hogwarts Express, the usual excitement was met with extreme disappointment this year. Keep reading to find out about the absence of the annual “back to Hogwarts” tradition at King’s Cross and how fans reacted to the uneventful morning.

What is the ‘back to Hogwarts’ tradition?

On September 1, crowds of Harry Potter fans normally gather at King’s Cross railway station in London to mark a special occasion: the start of a new academic year at the fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the books by JK Rowling, Hogwarts students depart on the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 ?. (Click through to see photos of the film cast then and now). 

In honor of the “back to Hogwarts” tradition, fans (many wearing robes and other Hogwarts-inspired attire) arrive at the station in the morning for the annual event. Last year, thousands made their way to King’s Cross to celebrate, even in the midst of a nationwide rail strike.

The event featured not only interviews with the cast of the play The Cursed Child, but also prize giveaways and fan competitions, according to Variety. All of the entertainment was to keep fans eagerly entertained as they began the countdown to 11 a.m. At that time, a voice announced on the loudspeakers, “May I have your attention please. The Hogwarts Express is now departing from platform 9 and ?. All students are kindly reminded to stick to your ticket and board the carriage at once. All aboard.”

See a video from the 2023 event below:

This September, however, the experience was a little different.

What happened at this year’s ‘back to Hogwarts’?

Prior to this year’s celebration, Warner Bros. Discovery (the company that owns the Harry Potter franchise), was clear with fans that there would be no formal event. In fact, they even went so far as to suggest that they not head to the station at all, reports The Guardian.

At the time they issued a statement that said, “Come 1st September, fans are strongly discouraged from traveling to King’s Cross as there will be no event, departure board or countdown at the station. Instead, everyone is invited to tune in and join proud Hufflepuff and king of the jungle, Sam Thompson, in a specially recorded online programme made in celebration of back to Hogwarts.”

Warner Bros. also runs a Harry Potter shop at the station, but no special attention was given to the popular Hogwarts tradition. Instead, business ran as usual. No further explanation was given as to why the usual theatrics were canceled.

How did the fans react?

Despite the previously issued statement, a plethora of fans still showed up to the station on the day. As 11 a.m. approached, spectators anxiously kept their eyes on the departure boards where the Hogwarts Express had been displayed in prior years.

But the enthusiastic countdown appeared to be a lost cause when the usual touch of magic was absent as the hour commenced. After a moment of silence, boos and jeers from the disappointed fans filled the air, according to Sky News.

See what happened in the video below:

Though fans in London didn’t get to partake in the usual celebration, other back to Hogwarts events took place elsewhere, including one at New York's Grand Central Station. At this point, there has been no indication of why the King’s Cross countdown was essentially canceled. There has also been no word on whether or not a formal event will return again next year.

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