Die-hard Harry Potter fans, listen up! The newest installment in the Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is coming out at midnight on Saturday July 30. The two-act play will premiere in London’s West End on 7/30, but for all of us stateside Potter fans, reading the script will have to do! But before you embark on another adventure with author JK Rowling to Hogwarts and beyond, we’ve got you covered with some of the many book release parties around New York City. So grab your wands, memorize those spells and get ready, because Harry Potter is back!
Barnes and Noble
Various locations
8pm
Barnes & Noble bookstores across the city will be hosting their own own midnight release parties with festivities including giveaways and a “Muggle Wall” where guests can share their favorite Harry Potter memories. After picking up your books at midnight and rushing home to read the novel, all Potter fans can return to stores on July 31 to discuss Cursed Child and enjoy more HP-themed events!
Book Court
163 Court Street, Brooklyn
10:30pm
Cobble Hill’s Book Court is hosting a Cursed Child release party for all ages! Stop by the shop for sorting, trivia, coloring, and refreshments! To reserve your copy of the book, call (718) 875-3677 or email bookcourtkids@gmail.com.
Book Culture
450 Columbus Avenue
10:30pm
Head over to Book Culture on Manhattan’s Upper West Side to grab your copy of Cursed Child in style. In addition to wizarding snacks and beverages, participate in Book Culture’s own sorting ceremony. Also, don’t forget to wear your Hogwarts finest, as all costumes win an entry into a raffle for release party grand prizes! Be sure to RSVP on Facebook.
Books of Wonder
18 West 18th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues)
8pm-1am
For those of you who haven’t yet attended a midnight launch party at Books of Wonder, here’s your chance to experience a jam-packed night you won’t soon forget! At Books of Wonder the youngest HP groupies can get their faces painted, see live owls, watch Brandon K. Williams perform a magic show, and witness the spectacle of Justin Wood Circus juggling. To attend, RSVP on Facebook and pre-order a book today to reserve your copy at the event.
Community Bookstore Park Slope
143 7th Avenue, Brooklyn
10pm
All ages are invited to celebrate the release of Harry Potter Book 8 at the Community Bookstore in Brooklyn! Feast on a bunch of HP-themed treats like Cauldron cakes and Butterbeer while participating in trivia games and other wizardly activities, like getting sorted! Be there at 10 pm to get a good spot in line and make sure to pre-order a copy of the book.
The Strand
828 Broadway (And East 12th Street)
8pm-12:45am
Join fellow Harry Potter devotees at Strand Books and rejoice with fun, competitive activities. Hop in line starting at 8pm and pass the time by competing in trivia contests and conversing with other HP fans, But wait … there’s more! Treats from Fat Witch will be provided and Potter-esque costumes are encouraged! And don’t forget to pre-order and reserve your copy online before Strand sells out.
Word Bookstores
Villain, 50 North 3rd Street, Brooklyn
10pm
Word Bookstore in Brooklyn is hosting fun-filled evening of Potter for witches and wizards of all ages! A $30 admission ticket to this release party, held at Villain in Williamsburg, gets you a copy of JK the book (to be handed out at exactly midnight), a slice of Harry Potter’s birthday cake, and several themed treats catered by Honeydukes chocolate and drinks from Rosmerta’s pub (both youth and adult beverages). You can even celebrate with a Harry Potter themed temporary tattoo!
Harry Potter Day With The Brooklyn Cyclones
MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn
Sunday, July 31, 2pm
While this isn’t technically a book release party, if the kids haven’t had their fill of Potter the night of the 30th, bring them to MCU Park on Sunday, July 31 for a variety of Harry Potter-themed activities at the Brooklyn Cyclones’ ball game! Take photos with your favorite witches and wizards, receive spells instruction, and join a costumed fan parade around the field–and catch the pre-game Quidditch beginning at 2:45pm. Then, watch the Cyclones take on the Aberdeen Ironbirds at 4!
