My Visit to Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Every now and then my grandpa will ask me, if I’m still a Harry Potter fan and my answer is always yes. Over 18 years ago a classmate gave me the first book and I’ve been enchanted (not to say obsessed) with the wizarding world ever since. So of course, when I heard the news that Harry Potter: The Exhibition will be shown in Potsdam where I live, I was sure I had to go. Since I only have one friend who is also a Harry Potter fan, it was also certain, we will be going together. Then finally, on December 18^th, it was our time to go the exhibition.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition displays authentic props and costumes that were used in the Harry Potter movies in a setting inspired by locations from the wizarding world. It is showing in Filmpark Babelsberg in Potsdam until March 10^th. Since we went there in December it also included festive decorations, creating an even more magical feeling. Now, when you go an exhibition so eagerly anticipated and displaying something you’ve been a fan of for almost all your life, the expectations are very, very high and of course, there is a high risk of being disappointed.

However, I can wholeheartedly say, both my friend and I absolutely loved the exhibition and enjoyed every second of it. I believe it’s truly one of the best memories we’ve made together. The exhibition began with the display of the movie posters and a few key scenes being played until (finally!!!) a curtain was lifted, and we were welcomed by snowfall, the Hogwarts Express and of course, the iconic title melody of Hedwig’s Theme.

The first stop of the exhibition was the Gryffindor common room. It displayed all kinds of costumes of our favourite trio, Harry, Ron and Hermione, and other beloved characters like Neville, Ginny and Luna and props, like Harry’s glasses, the Marauder’s Map, Ron’s Chudley Cannons’ posters and many, many more. There was so much to see and so many little details to notice, my friend and I didn’t even know where to look first. A state that followed us through the whole exhibition, as well as the childlike excitement of seeing and experiencing all of this.

Next came the displays of different teachers, their costumes, classrooms and props. We saw Professor Snape’s potions ingredients, Professor Umbridge’s beloved pink cat plates, Professor Trelawney’s crystal ball and took a selfie with Professor Lockhart’s portrait. However, my absolute favourite display was the one of the Herbology greenhouse. There we not only saw but could also pull out mandrakes and hear them scream.

Of course, a section dedicated to Quidditch couldn’t be missing either. Next to brooms, posters and weird binoculars, we also saw the uniforms of the different Hogwarts Houses and the teams participating in the final of the Quidditch World Cup 1994.

After passing by the most exciting magical creatures, like a centaur, the hippogriff, and an acromantula, we entered the cosiness of Hagrid’s Hut. There we could sit on a huge armchair next to the fireplace and view all of Hagrid’s favourite items like the pink umbrella, the Monster Book of Monsters and even a dragon’s egg.

Harry Potter wouldn’t be one of the most famous book series, if it wasn’t for the obstacles, he must face every schoolyear. So, the next section we passed was dedicated to all the dark magic appearing in the movies. From the chess figures the trio faces in the first movie to the death eater’s costumes and wanted posters, some of the props looked even creepier in person, than they do in the movies. 

After passing some Hogwarts flags and being afraid to go on, because of our fear the exhibition will be over soon, we finally entered the culmination: the festively decorated great hall. It was truly magical: the whole room looking exactly like the great hall in the movies, including floating candles and stone monsters holding fire bowls, the festive costumes of teachers and students, the displays of detailed everyday magical objects and the bright Christmas decoration, everything was just perfect. I absolutely loved the costumes used during the Yule Ball in the fourth movie, I never paid much attention to them in the movie but seeing them in person made me realise how truly beautiful they are and how much craftsmanship is required for just one scene. Another highlight in the great hall was the phoenix, which looked almost real. Next to the greenhouse, the great hall was definitely my favourite section of the exhibition. 

Visiting Harry Potter: The Exhibition with my friend was one of the best experiences I had last year and I’m sure it’ll be a once in a live time memory. If you love or even just like the Harry Potter movies it’s absolutely worth a visit and bringing along a friend, so you can hype each other up, makes for an even better experience.