Accio Potter fans! These bookstores are ecstatic to throw another epic Harry Potter release party — almost ten years later — to celebrate the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts One & Two. The two-part script, based on the story written by JK Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, is written by Thorne and is the first book in the Potter series written for the stage. The story follows our favorite boy wizard some 19 years later, as he and his youngest son, Albus, must face Harry’s past together. Just as the story reflects the multiple generations of wizards at Hogwarts, these midnight release parties invite the many generations of Potterheads to dress up, win prizes, and celebrate the awesome world of wizardry.
July 30 at 10:30 p.m., Porter Square Books, 25 White St., Cambridge, www.portersquarebooks.com
Three Cursed Child release parties that will spellbind any Potter fan
Getty Images
Almost 10 years their Tercentenary Theater blowout, Harvard Square once again transforms into “Hogwarts Square.” The night starts with a real-ish wizard (magician), Harry Potter crafts and costumes and an outdoor screening of “The Sorcerer’s Stone” before the midnight release where you can get 30% off the list price at the Coop. Grendel’s Den will serve a Potter-themed drink menu for children and adults, including a $3 (non-alcoholic) Polyjuice Potion, while the Square’s Starbucks adds a Butterbeer Frappuccino for the night. Plus, Potterheads will go home with temporary lightning bolt tattoos and round-frame wizard glasses on the house. July 30 at 8 p.m., Harvard Square, Various locations, Cambridge, www.harvardsquare.com
Harry Potter trivia, a costume competition and a fan-fiction open-mic put Potterheads’ wizardry and fandom to the test at Porter Square Books’ Cursed Child release party. Fan fiction writers will have a 5-minute slot to tell the stories J.K. Rowling left out, (even she admits Harry and Hermoine should have ended up together) but participants are advised to write for wizards of all ages. Attendees can also watch the festivities while doing Harry Potter-themed crafts and eating snacks from the in-house café.
Which house do you belong in? At the Brookline Booksmith release party, attendees will be sorted into houses and can win points via Harry Potter trivia and a scavenger hunt. Children’s staff member Clarissa Murphy adds that there will be edible wizard-theme concoctions including Harry Potter-themed crêpes from the Paris Crêperie. Also, be sure to dress in your house colors or as your favorite character for the photobooth! July 30 at 9 p.m., Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St., Brookline, www.brooklinebooksmith.com
