Wands at the ready: Harry Potter celebrates 25 years of movie magic with Pavilion Damansara Heights pop-up

Fans dressed for the occasion at the opening of the Harry Potter 25th Celebration pop-up, posing for photos at Pavilion Damansara Heights. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

By Ian Jeremiah Patrick

First Published: Friday, 21 Aug 2026 5:00 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — For a generation of Malaysians, Hogwarts first arrived on the big screen 25 years ago with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Now, some of that magic is being recreated at Pavilion Damansara Heights in Kuala Lumpur, where the Harry Potter: 25 Years of Magic pop-up is running from August 20 to September 20 at the Concourse, Level 2.

The month-long celebration brings together photo opportunities, interactive activities, workshops and officially licensed merchandise inspired by the films and the wider wizarding world.

The anniversary marks 25 years since the first Harry Potter film reached cinemas in 2001, introducing audiences to Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger — played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson — as well as Hogwarts, Quidditch and a world where magic was part of everyday life.

The films were themselves adaptations of JK Rowling’s phenomenally successful novels, beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997.

More than 600 million copies of the books have since been sold worldwide, while the eight main Harry Potter films grossed more than US$7.7 billion (RM31.15 billion) globally.

Malaysia was part of that phenomenon, with all eight films receiving theatrical releases here and building a sizeable local following over the course of a decade.

The Hogwarts Express locomotive 5972, as featured in the Harry Potter film series, on display at the pop-up. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Back to Hogwarts in KL

Interest in the Pavilion Damansara Heights pop-up was already apparent in comments on the mall’s Instagram post ahead of its opening.

“Call me Dobby coz I want the cute socks,” wrote one fan, while others responded with “we should go!!” and “keychains look sooooo cute!”

Malay Mail visited the pop-up yesterday for its opening ceremony, where members of the media and guests turned up for a distinctly Hogwarts-themed afternoon.

Some embraced the occasion by arriving in colours and attire representing the school’s four houses — Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

Hogwarts Express, quests and wizarding workshops

The pop-up features several visual elements inspired by memorable locations and moments from the Harry Potter films.

Among them is a Hogwarts Express photo spot referencing the train that carries young witches and wizards to Hogwarts at the start of each school year.

Harry Potter merchandise on display at the pop-up at Pavilion Damansara Heights, with hundreds of themed items available. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Visitors can also browse displays of officially licensed merchandise, including clothing, toy wands and other themed items.

For those looking for something more interactive, the event features a three-station quest, with participants able to complete the journey and receive a limited-edition Harry Potter sticker pack, subject to availability.

Weekend activities include the Harry Potter: 25th Celebration Hat Workshop and Harry Potter: Shrink the Celebration Keychain Workshop, with sessions scheduled throughout the event period.

More Harry Potter celebrations ahead

A Pavilion representative said the Damansara Heights event forms part of a wider series of activities commemorating the film franchise’s 25th anniversary, with further Harry Potter-related events expected, including a possible stop at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

The celebrations are also extending to the cinema.

GSC will hold a 24-hour marathon featuring all eight Harry Potter films on August 28 at Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur.

A statue of Harry Potter, as portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe in the film series, forms the centrepiece of the Harry Potter 25th Celebration pop-up at the Concourse, Level 2 of Pavilion Damansara Heights. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

And the wizarding world is preparing for another major reboot.

HBO’s upcoming original Harry Potter television series is set to premiere at Christmas 2026 on HBO Max, beginning with an adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Subsequent seasons are expected to adapt the remaining six novels, introducing Harry, Ron and Hermione to another generation of viewers.

Harry Potter enters another chapter

For those who grew up with the books and films, the current anniversary celebrations may be less about discovering something new than returning to a familiar world.

Twenty-five years after Harry first walked through the doors of Hogwarts on the big screen, the franchise is once again occupying cinemas, shopping centres and television schedules.

For Malaysian fans, at least, the Hogwarts Express appears to be making another stop.