Some stories are best read with a mug of something warm within reach. From 13 October 2026, one more joins the seasonal pile: Christmas at Hogwarts, a digital take on Harry Potter’s first festive season away from the Dursleys. All it takes to read it is a library card from a participating Hoopla library in the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.

Part picture book, part short film

The “iconographic” format sits somewhere between an illustrated storybook and a gentle animation. Ziyi Gao’s soft, rounded artwork doesn’t stay still on the screen: a virtual camera drifts across each scene, zooms in on small details and pulls back to reveal the bigger picture. Meanwhile, Sam Stafford’s voice carries the story along. Readers can simply sit back, whether curled up alone on the sofa or sharing a tablet with the whole family.

The settings are classic winter fare: the grounds of Hogwarts under a thick layer of snow, the Great Hall dressed up for the season, and the Gryffindor common room glowing in the light of the fire. It’s an easy sell for younger readers, and a nostalgic treat for longtime fans revisiting a favourite moment.

Why Hoopla, and why now?

The partnership makes sense when you look at the numbers. According to the figures shared with the announcement, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was the fifth most popular eBook and audiobook among Hoopla users in 2025. The audience, in other words, is already there, and this release offers it a different way back into the wizarding world.

There’s a practical perk too: the title is available straight away, with no queue and no hold list. Anyone who has waited weeks for a popular library loan will appreciate that.

A boost for young readers

On the publishing side, the focus is on what libraries do best. Jennie McCann, Managing Director of Pottermore Publishing, describes them as key places for nurturing a love of reading and says she is pleased to be working with Hoopla. Her hope is that younger audiences in particular will discover the magic of Harry’s first Christmas through this format, and perhaps feel inspired to explore the rest of the series.

You can now access it for free on Hoopla