“Expelliarmus!” they shouted as they had an epic digital wand battle. (Sydni Ellis)
Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Dallas was jam-packed with spells, photo ops, and magical moments with my three kids.
Step into a world full of whimsy, adventure, and friendship at Harry Potter: The Exhibition. Here, magic is real—and everywhere—and both children and children-at-heart can have fun casting spells, brewing potions, and traveling via Portkey.
I brought my husband and three kids—ages 8, 6, and 3—to the touring exhibition, now open in Dallas, and it was pure magic for the whole family. Based on the “Harry Potter” books and movies by J.K. Rowling, this exhibit brings the Wizarding World up close and personal. It’s billed as “the most comprehensive touring exhibition ever presented on the expanded world of Harry Potter,” and it’s one of the coolest—and most well-executed—experiences I’ve attended.
What Harry Potter: The Exhibition is really like
“Lumos,” my three little wizards-in-training whispered (while pressing a button) to make their wands glow as they led the way inside the exhibit. Dressed in too-big Hogwarts capes with lightning scars they insisted I draw on their foreheads, my kids were absolutely glowing the entire time.
First, we registered at the front—a process that included taking a quick photo and filling out info with our name and chosen house—before walking into a room with video clips from the movies projected on the walls. This room led to another, this time with a larger-than-life Marauder’s Map on the wall that had our own names appearing on screen. (If you’ve loved “Harry Potter” as long or as fiercely as I have, then you know how cool this is!)
“Mischief managed!” we shouted as a group, before the doors opened and we entered the halls of Hogwarts Castle. We made our way past the pictures that moved to a gallery with the Sorting Hat and all four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin.
Costumes from the films and other cool artifacts and displays were highlighted in glass cases here. And it wasn’t just the first eight “Harry Potter” movies—there were spell-binding moments from the Tony-winning Broadway production “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and from the “Fantastic Beasts” films. This is truly an event for fans, but it’s still enjoyable for even casual “Harry Potter” lovers.
With special smart bracelets that look like the Golden Snitch, guests are able to interact with digital touchscreens that create spell-binding moments, which my kids loved looking for in every room. Plus, there were tons of photo ops everywhere—such as the huge round door from the Chamber of Secrets and a recreation of Professor Umbridge’s office, among many other exciting spots.
“Mama, take my picture!” my kids took turns shouting as they stood next to stained-glass windows of their houses or glass cases of costumes worn by their favorite characters. They looked on in awe at the floating candles over the Great Hall, a giant dragon that towered above them, and the twinkling lights of a Time-Turner. Even Muggles would appreciate the effects and otherworldly ambiance this exhibit created.
During our self-guided tour, we got to see a Potions classroom, where my 3-year-old helped me make a love potion; a Divination room filled with crystal balls; the Herbology Greenhouse, complete with a screaming Mandrake that you can pot; Hagrid’s Hut, with his huge chair and fireplace; and other iconic places, each one more magical than the last. It was a cross between a museum, a set recreation, and a heap of immersive activities all at once, which ensures you are never bored as you make your way through.
Other favorite parts of the experience included practicing a “Ridikkulus” spell to defeat a Boggart and turn it into something funny in a Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, having a digital wand fight, and tossing real Quaffle balls into the Quidditch hoops. My kids also loved pretending to be Harry himself and crawling into his bed in the cupboard under the stairs that looked just like the one from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
The entire experience was filled with so much fun and energy and small details that delighted me as a fan. Without taking the kids, you can spend more time reading the displays about each artifact, and with the kids, you can get enjoyment sharing your love of the fandom with them (and seeing the magic through their eyes). It’s a great time either way!
This exhibition takes an estimated 60-90 minutes to complete—but you can truly take your time to explore every room, read every sign, and get the most out of the experience. That is, if your kids aren’t racing around trying to see every cool thing like mine were. But it was all part of the fun.
Afterward, we made our way to the gift shop to enjoy yummy butterbeer and chocolate frogs. We also loaded up on gear from our favorite houses and characters, including artistic prints, t-shirts, and so much more. Fans will appreciate that there is merchandise here that’s not available anywhere else, so you’ll definitely be able to find something to add to your Harry Potter collection.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition details
Harry Potter: The Exhibition is created and produced by Warner Bros. Discover Global Experiences in partnership with Imagine Exhibitions, Inc. and Eventim Live. It first premiered in Philadelphia in February 2022 and has welcomed over four million fans since. Don’t miss your chance to see this fantastic exhibit during its short stop in Dallas, through Jan. 31, 2026.
Location: 14902 Preston Road, Suite 1200, Dallas
Price: Tickets start at $24 for adults; $18 for children ages 3-12; free for 2 and under
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Jan. 31, 2026
