Calling all witches, wizards, and muggles! Celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday today.
Whether or not you are a fan of the franchise, you can’t deny the popularity and impact Harry Potter has had on the world. Today, July 31, is Harry Potter’s (the character) birthday. We are first introduced to Harry just before his eleventh birthday during the book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Each book in the series represents another year of Harry’s life and his birthday is almost always mentioned. He was born in the year 1980, which makes today, July 31, 2023, his 43rd birthday! How is his birthday being celebrated throughout the world? Read on to find out.
Back to Hogwarts Celebrations
(source PRNewswire; Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
Beginning as a fan celebration, Back to Hogwarts is recognised as one of the biggest days in any Harry Potter fan’s calendar – marking the moment when students would board the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾ for adventure at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dressed in their finest cosplay, thousands of fans make the trip to London’s King’s Cross station each year and more come together online to raise their wands for the countdown and share their love of the stories.
Pam Lifford, President, Global Brands, Franchises and Experiences, at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “Back to Hogwarts is a day cherished by Harry Potter fans of all ages, from all over the world. Just like their passion for the magic of the stories, their celebrations grow every year! 2023 is set to be a year like no other – we will see fan world record attempts in Germany, high octane quiz competitions in France and of course, the UK’s search to find the perfect person to join that amazing countdown. We are so proud to offer new and exciting ways to bring fans together and give them new ways to celebrate the Harry Potter magic – there’s nothing quite like Back To Hogwarts!”
Check out Wizarding World Digital at www.wizardingworld.com for all the Back to Hogwarts updates, including the latest UK activity and info on what’s happening in Italy, Germany, France, Japan, China and more.
Throw a Harry Potter Birthday Party
One of the easiest ways to celebrate HP’s birthday is to watch the movies with family and friends while making fun food and party favors to share. Check out this great guide on How to Throw an Epic Harry Potter Birthday Party on tasteofhome.com. Here are the highlights.
- Make Harry’s birthday cake. This is the cake that Hagrid made and delivered to him saying, “You’re a wizard, Harry.”
- Create Butterbeer at home. This is any HP fan’s favorite drink. It comes in a couple of different variations, but it can be fairly easy to make at home using cream soda, caramel extract, and heavy whipping cream.
- Dress up! Find out your Hogwarts house on wizardingworld.com (formerly Pottermore) and then show your house pride by dressing up in your house colors.
House | Founder | Colors | Animal | Traits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gryffindor | Godric Gryffindor | Scarlet and Gold | Lion | Bravery and chivalry |
Hufflepuff | Helga Hufflepuff | Yellow and Black | Badger | Loyalty and hard working |
Ravenclaw | Rowena Ravenclaw | Blue and Bronze | Eagle | Wit and learning |
Slytherin | Salazar Slytherin | Green and Silver | Snake | Cunning and ambition |
Impact of Harry Potter on Pop Culture
Harry Potter, the boy wizard created by J.K. Rowling, has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on pop culture since his debut in 1997. With a magical world filled with spells, potions, and mythical creatures, the series captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the globe. Its impact can be seen not only through its massive popularity but also through its influence on various aspects of pop culture.
First and foremost, Harry Potter revolutionized the publishing industry. The series became a global phenomenon almost overnight, with each new release eagerly awaited by fans young and old alike. It revitalized the Young Adult genre and paved the way for other successful franchises like Twilight and The Hunger Games. Moreover, it fostered a newfound love for reading among children who were previously disinterested in books.
If you’ve never experienced the Wizarding world of Harry Potter, join in the birthday celebrations today!