A giant Chocolate Frog has escaped into the streets of London! On October 28, a larger-than-life recreation of the iconic Harry Potter treat appeared at Piccadilly Circus, surprising commuters and fans just one week before the opening of the new Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street.

Created by Pierre Bohanna, the original prop maker behind the Harry Potter films, the spectacular installation marks the countdown to the opening of London’s newest Wizarding World destination on November 4, 2026.

And if the Chocolate Frog has already caught your attention, there’s plenty more magic waiting inside the new flagship store!

A Giant Chocolate Frog Escapes Into Piccadilly Circus

Fans will remember Chocolate Frogs from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, when Harry discovers the magical confectionery aboard the Hogwarts Express. Unlike ordinary chocolate, these enchanted treats can jump away before their owners get a chance to eat them!

This time, however, one Chocolate Frog appears to have taken its escape a little too far.

Measuring an impressive 844 × 1,441 × 1,800 mm, the oversized creation appeared in the heart of Piccadilly Circus on October 28 before returning to its rightful home.

The location is particularly fitting for the franchise. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Harry, Ron and Hermione find themselves at Piccadilly Circus after escaping the chaos of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour’s wedding.

The playful stunt offers a taste of the magical surprises awaiting fans when the new Oxford Street shop opens its doors.

Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street Reveals New Experiences

Opening on Wednesday, November 4, at The Ribbon, 134–140 Oxford Street, the new flagship will transform more than 21,000 square feet across two floors into a shopping destination inspired by Diagon Alley.

Visitors can expect immersive environments, photo opportunities and exclusive merchandise, alongside several recognisable locations and objects from the films.

Among the highlights are a spectacular Ukrainian Ironbelly Dragon overlooking the Gringotts-inspired area, a full-sized Knight Bus and a Leaky Cauldron-themed food and drink experience featuring Butterbeer.

But that’s not all. Two newly announced experiences will give fans even more reasons to visit.

Create Your Own Hogwarts Bear

The new Hogwarts Bear Ceremony offers fans the opportunity to create a personalised companion and discover which Hogwarts house suits it best.

Visitors select the qualities that best represent their bear before taking part in a ceremony revealing whether it belongs in Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

Each experience includes a personalised bear, a house robe, a matching scarf and tie, an exclusive collector’s box and a personalised certificate.

Additional accessories, including house mascot plush toys, a Sorting Hat, Harry Potter glasses and a Hogwarts trunk, will also be available.

Book a free timeslot for the Hogwarts Bear Ceremony now.

Embark on a Gringotts Adventure

For those who prefer a little treasure hunting, the Gringotts Adventure introduces an interactive experience spanning London’s two official Harry Potter retail destinations.

Visitors can purchase a specially designed Gringotts cheque book containing a collectible Galleon, then explore the Oxford Street shop to discover magical stamping locations and complete activities.

The adventure continues at Harry Potter Shop King’s Cross, where participants can collect a Sickle and obtain another stamp.

It’s a fun way to connect both locations while collecting wizarding souvenirs along the way.

Exclusive Merchandise for Harry Potter Collectors

The new flagship will also introduce merchandise created specifically for the Oxford Street location.

Among the announced exclusives are 500 MinaLima prints, a special Diagon Alley wand and a dedicated Leaky Cauldron collection.

MinaLima, the graphic design studio founded by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, helped shape the visual identity of the original films through its distinctive graphic props and artwork.

The new collection gives fans another opportunity to bring a piece of that visual world home.

Warner Bros. Brings Unexpected Magic to London

Karl Durrant, Senior Vice President of Retail at Warner Bros. Global Experiences, explained the thinking behind the Chocolate Frog’s unexpected appearance.

“With the opening of Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street just days away, we wanted to bring a little unexpected magic to the streets of London. Chocolate Frogs have always had a mind of their own, so it feels fitting that one has ‘escaped’ before we’ve even had the chance to open our doors.”

He added:

“The Oxford Street shop has been created to give fans new ways to step into the wizarding world, from extraordinary environments to experiences created especially for this location. We can’t wait for visitors to discover what’s waiting inside from 4 November – assuming we can get everything back where it belongs before then.”

The stunt captures the playful spirit of the franchise while building anticipation for a retail experience designed to offer much more than merchandise.

When Does Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street Open?

Here’s everything you need to know before planning your visit:

• Opening date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
• Address: The Ribbon, 134–140 Oxford Street, London.
• Highlights: A Ukrainian Ironbelly Dragon, the Knight Bus, a Leaky Cauldron-themed food and drink experience, and immersive Diagon Alley-inspired environments.
• New experiences: Hogwarts Bear Ceremony and Gringotts Adventure.
• Exclusive merchandise: MinaLima prints, a Diagon Alley wand and a Leaky Cauldron collection.

For further details, visit the official Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street website.

With a giant Chocolate Frog already causing mischief in central London, the countdown to November 4 has officially begun.

Would you try the Hogwarts Bear Ceremony or embark on the Gringotts Adventure first? And what are you most excited to discover inside London’s newest Harry Potter shop?