We’ve been waiting for this moment ever since Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure was first announced, and today, it finally feels real. Warner Bros. Discovery and Rail Events Inc.,the team behind experiences like The Polar Express, have just dropped some major updates on the upcoming live train experience.

Mark your calendars: April 28, 2026 at 11 AM PDT. That’s when tickets go on sale. If you haven’t already registered on the official website (harrypottertrainadventure.com), now is the time.

The details we’ve been waiting for

Performances will run from July 24 to September 27, 2026, with three to five Hogwarts Express departures per day. The experience will be hosted at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, CA, a historic museum that opened in 1956 and already operates a functional railroad with steam trains. In other words, this is a real train. A real, moving, magical train.

The show itself is an hour-long live production featuring scripted scenes, live singing, dancing, puppetry, illusions, and full audience interaction, all aboard a real, moving train. Before boarding, you’ll get to experience a pre-boarding moment at Platform 9¾, with photo opportunities before the Hogwarts Express departs. Once on board, you can join house competitions, cast spells, and face thrilling obstacles as you celebrate the magic of Harry Potter. After the journey, you can enjoy a Butterbeer and shop for exclusive merchandise.

A brand new Hogwarts Express logo

Alongside all of this, a shiny new official logo for Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure has been unveiled. It’s a great sign of just how seriously Rail Events Inc. and Warner Bros. are taking this experience.

What to do right now

Head over to harrypottertrainadventure.com and register if you haven’t already. Ticket sales open April 28 at 11 AM PDT and given the level of hype around this, I wouldn’t be surprised if early departures sell out fast. Southern California fans, this is your summer.

For everyone else? Rail Events has confirmed this is a touring experience, so more locations should be announced down the line. Stay tuned, I’ll be covering every update right here on Wizarding World Direct.