International Harry Potter Day Date in the current year: May 2, 2024

Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels chronicling the lives of a young wizard named, you guessed it, Harry Potter and his friends. The main story arc concerns Harry Potter’s conflict with the dark wizard Lord Voldemort who seeks immortality and wants to take over the wizarding world. It begins with Harry learning about being a wizard and culminates with the Battle of Hogwarts, in which Harry defeats Lord Voldemort. The series opens with Harry’s 11th birthday (July 31, 1991), and the Battle of Hogwarts takes place on May 2, 1998.

The Harry Potter series was written by the British author Joanne Rowling and published under the pen name J. K. Rowling over the course of ten years, from 1997 to 2007. It spawned a fantasy media franchise that includes films, a stage play, theme parks, tie-in books, video games, and other media. The Harry Potter books are credited with transforming children’s literature and bringing children’s fantasy fiction into mainstream.

International Harry Potter Day was started by the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron in 2012. According to Cameron’s official statement, the main goals of the holiday are to commemorate and immortalize J. K. Rowling’s work and her contribution to society and culture, as well as to celebrate the strong and courageous character of Harry Potter that inspires children and adults alike.

There are so many ways to celebrate International Harry Potter Day that we don’t even know where to start. Here are just a few ideas:

• Start rereading the Harry Potter book series. When you’re finished with the seven main novels, check out Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and other tie-in book set in the Harry Potter universe.
• Have a Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movie marathon.
• Host a Harry Potter-themed party for your friends.
• Learn fun facts about Harry Potter and share them with anyone who is willing to listen.
• Get sorted into a Hogwarts house at Wizarding World, the official Harry Potter website.
• Plan a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida or book the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
• Enjoy some Berty Botts Every Flavor Beans.
• Buy a Harry Potter cookbook and experiment in the kitchen.
• Cosplay your favorite Harry Potter character.
• Buy Harry Potter merchandise.
• Knit a scarf in the colors of your Hogwarts house.

International Harry Potter Day should not be confused with Harry Potter’s birthday. The latter is celebrated by Harry Potter fans around the globe on the last day of July because Harry Potter was born on July 31, 1980. Interestingly, the famous character shares his birthday with his creator: Joanne Rowling was born on July 31, 1965.