We love going to Universal Orlando Resort for a magical escape into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! We always make a big deal out of the trip by dressing up in our house robes, casting spells with our wands, eating Butterbeer ice cream and hopping on all of the rides that take us through Gringotts, Hogwarts Castle, the Forbidden Forest and the Ministry of Magic.
All of that takes a lot of froggy effort, though! So when we need a short break, we’ll stop to catch some of our favorite wizarding shows or chat with a couple of characters. Here’s everything you need to know about the enchanting entertainment available in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
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Entertainment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
There isn’t a wrong way to go about seeing the entertainment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. You can try to hit every single show and character interaction or pick a select few as must-dos. If you want to attempt to catch all of them, we’d toadally recommend starting out at Universal Orlando before heading over to Universal’s Islands of Adventure for the ultimate Wizarding World entertainment tour (tackle them in the order below!).
The Knight Bus
You can’t miss the triple-decker purple bus sitting outside of Diagon Alley in the middle of the London waterfront. The Knight Bus conductor and the shrunken head are an entertaining duo you shouldn’t overlook. It’s a fun, personalized experience, as the conversation is always different each time we stop by to say hi. The pair likes to crack jokes, banter with guests and pose for photos. If you don’t know what to say, try asking them questions, such as, “Who’s been the most famous passenger?” Or, “How far does the Knight Bus travel?”
Tales of Beedle the Bard
Once you step through the brick wall to Diagon Alley, prepare to be surrounded by bustling activity in a setting straight from the films! Over on the side in Carkitt Market, there is an outdoor stage where the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts puppeteers re-enact The Tale of the Three Brothers and The Fountain of Fair Fortune. Young witches and wizards grow up listening to popular stories like these by Beedle the Bard (think the wizard version of Aesop). Harry Potter fans will be familiar with "The Tale of Three Brothers," which plays an important role in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
Multiple performances hoppen throughout the day. The exact showtimes change depending on the season, but on the day of your visit, you can find showtimes in the official Universal Orlando Resort or Undercover Tourist app.
Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees
Do not move from your spot! The same outdoor stage in Carkitt Market is where Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees perform several times throughout the day. Known as the Singing Sorceress in the Wizarding World, Celestina belts out her most popular hits, including “You Charmed the Heart Right out of Me” and “A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love.” Find out why Celestina Warbeck is Molly Weasley’s favorite singer!
It’s easy to double up and dance along to Celestina’s 12-minute concert shortly before or after a Tales of Beedle the Bard show. In between shows, walk over to The Hopping Pot nearby for a refreshing cup of Butterbeer! The area is also large enough that if you just want to stop by for one song, you can pass right through.
Ollivanders Wand Show
“The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter.” It’s a memorable moment when Harry Potter uses his wand for the first time in the series. Now, you can experience it too!
If you only have time to pick one or two options from this list of entertainment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the wand selection show at Ollivanders is a must-do. Inside the small showroom, a wandkeeper picks a random witch or wizard from the crowd. Our best tip is to stand near the front, but it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be selected. The chosen one will then perform various spells to test out different wands. Ultimately, the wizard or witch finds the perfect wand pairing!
Be prepared to purchase the wand if you’re picked. While it’s not required that you buy the wand if you’re the lucky frog, it sure is hard to part ways from the wand that chooses you! We know from experience … Tad already had Harry Potter’s wand, but he was selected on his birthday. The wand ended up being a birthday present Leap and I didn’t expect! You can find Ollivanders in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Both locations offer the show. For more info about wands, be sure to read up on our separate post!
Entertainment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure
Hop on over to Hogsmeade in Universal's Islands of Adventure to enjoy these enchanting extras. From spirited rallies to nighttime projection shows, there's no shortage of wizarding magic!
The Hogwarts Express Conductor
When he's not busy transporting students back and forth between Hogsmeade and London, say hello to the Hogwarts Express train conductor. He'll gladly take a photo with you in front of the train. Be sure to ask for some of his recommendations about things to do in Hogsmeade!
The Frog Choir
We might be a little biased (OK, maybe a lot), but the Frog Choir show is one of our favorite forms of entertainment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Four Hogwarts students dressed in their robes representing each house sing a cappella, along with the help of giant croaking frogs on cushions and a fellow student conductor. You might recognize some songs from the films, such as “Double Trouble.” We often find ourselves singing, “Double, double toil and trouble … something wicked this way comes!” for the remainder of the day. In typical Wizarding World fashion, the students' personalities most definitely match those of their respective houses. Once the show is over, the Hogwarts students stick around for photos.
The Frog Choir performs once almost every hour on a small stage across from the Butterbeer cart between Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade.
Triwizard Spirit Rally
In “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” Hogwarts hosts two other wizarding schools for the Triwizard Tournament, in which one student from each school competes in three dangerous tasks that test their magical ability and courage. Of course, things don’t go as planned — but we won’t spoil the rest of the story. The Triwizard Spirit Rally features a Hogwarts student introducing students from the two other wizarding schools, Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
Each school showcases their skills in a short performance. The boys from Durmstrang show off athletic moves in a martial arts-style routine, and the girls from Beauxbatons dance with ribbons. They will also pose for pictures following their performance.
The Triwizard Spirit Rally takes place at the same stage as the Frog Choir show, and there are multiple rallies throughout the day.
The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle
End your magical day at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with Hogwarts Always. From gathering your supplies in Diagon Alley, taking a ride on the Hogwarts Express and getting sorted into your respective Hogwarts houses, this castle projection show takes visitors of Hogsmeade on a magical journey through a year at Hogwarts. Will your house claim the House Cup? You will have to watch to find out!
Depending on the season, there are two different versions of the castle projection show: The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts, which is typically shown during the holiday season, and The Dark Arts at Hogwarts, which is typically shown during the Halloween season.
Once the sun sets behind the castle, the show begins shortly after. It plays intermittently until the park closes. Stay up to date with showtimes on Universal’s website or app.
Entertainment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe
The Ministry of Magic is the latest land to join The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Available at Epic Universe, this land immediately immerses you into the world of the "Fantastic Beasts" films, including 1920s Paris, France.
But that's not all! Travel by Floo Network to the 1990s, where Dolores Umbridge is on trial for her crimes against Muggles. In a wizarding world that can only be described as epic, here are some of the new enchanting entertainment options you can explore!
Le Cirque Arcanus
After breakfast at Café L'air De La Sirène, take in a show at Le Cirque Arcanus. In an attempt to revitalize it and return it to its former glory, ringmaster Skender has stolen Newt Scamander's suitcase of fantastic beasts.
In a show that features aerial moves, dazzling sets, puppetry and live performances, you'll be amazed at every turn. Showtimes vary throughout the day, so be sure to check your app.
Wizarding Band and Plume the Puffskein
While exploring Place Cachée, be sure to stop and take in a show with the local jazz band performing on the streets. Their musical talents are impressive as is, but the real star of the show is Plume the Puffskein — no other than an adorable and fantastical beast that's the ancestor of the famous Pygmy Puffs.
Throughout the performance, he will breathe, blink and take a look around.
Talking Portraits
Portraits that talk aren't only found inside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now, you'll find them inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter —Ministry of Magic!
Take a look at the various storefronts throughout the Place Cachée courtyard. Large portraits, including one astronomer, Sir Cadogan, are ready to mingle and interact with guests. Unlike Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, which offer one-way responses, the portraits inside the Ministry of Magic answer in real-time. This gives guests a more personalized interaction.
Walk-Around Characters
We can't forget about the walk-around characters, I mean, guests visiting Place Cachée. Throughout the Parisian section, you'll encounter students from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, dressed in their distinctive blue uniforms. There are also exchange students from Hogwarts and Ilvermorny Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry exploring the area. Ask the students from Ilvermorny about their house names — they're all named after magical creatures! The students are carrying the Monster Book of Monsters. For the first time ever, you can actually see what's inside it!
There's also an Auror from the Ministère des Affaires Magiques de la France roaming around the area. Why? She's keeping an eye out for suspicious characters. After all, this is the Ministry of Magic we're talkin' about.
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique
Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley have Ollivanders. The Ministry of Magic has artisan wand maker, Cosme Acajor. Browse her unique, handcrafted wands (that can be used to cast spells at all three parks). She'll even come out to greet guests in immaculate fashion at this upscale wand boutique.
There you have it: A full day of magical entertainment in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! What show or character interaction do you not want to miss? Let us know if you're going to sing along with Celestina or joke around with the Knight Bus conductor.
Related: Guide to Dining in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
Hoppy planning!
