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Harry PotterHarry Potter and the Cursed Child London: tickets and 2026 guide
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues the story of Harry Potter on stage, 19 years after the events of the original series. Performed at the Palace Theatre in London since 2016, the play combines theatre, illusions and visual effects to bring the wizarding world to life in front of a live audience.
The London production enters a new chapter in 2026. The original two-part version ends on 20 September 2026. From 9 October 2026, a new condensed version allows audiences to experience the full story in a single performance.
New in 2026: until 20 September, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues in its historic two-part format. From 9 October 2026, the show moves to a single-part version lasting around 2 hours 55 minutes, including the interval. Make sure you check which format applies to the date of your tickets.
The play is performed in English. A good understanding of the language will help you follow the dialogue, although the visual effects and staging also play a major role in the experience.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London: key information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Theatre | Palace Theatre |
| Address | Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5AY |
| Language | English |
| Recommended age | 8+ |
| Children under 5 | Not admitted |
| Under 15s | Must be accompanied by an adult |
| Format until 20 September 2026 | Two parts |
| Format from 9 October 2026 | One part |
| Running time from 9 October 2026 | Around 2 hours 55 minutes, including the interval |
What is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child about?
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, with the play written by Jack Thorne. The world premiere took place at London's Palace Theatre in summer 2016.
The story is set 19 years after the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione told in the books and films. A new generation arrives at Hogwarts while the past continues to shape the lives of the characters who are now adults.
Synopsis without spoilers
Harry Potter is now an adult and a father. His son Albus Severus Potter is about to start at Hogwarts while carrying the weight of one of the most famous names in the wizarding world.
At school, Albus becomes close to Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Draco Malfoy. Their friendship leads them into an adventure where past and present begin to collide, with consequences that quickly go far beyond their original intentions.
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco still play important roles in the story, but the play focuses heavily on their children, family relationships and the choices made by a new generation.
You do not need to reread the entire Harry Potter series before seeing the play, but knowing the main characters and the ending of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will help you understand the references and key themes.
Why see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London?
The production is particularly well known for the way it brings Harry Potter magic to the stage. Set changes, appearances, disappearances, transformations and spells are created through a combination of theatrical techniques, lighting, movement, costumes and illusions.
A large part of the appeal lies in discovering how effects normally associated with cinema can work in front of a live audience, without a screen separating the actors from the spectators.
The play has won 9 Olivier Awards, including Best New Play, and has become one of the long-running productions of London's West End.
Do you need to be a Harry Potter fan?
The show can still be appreciated for its staging even if you do not know every detail of the series, but it is clearly designed as a continuation of the Harry Potter story.
Visitors who already know the characters, Hogwarts and the main events of the books or films will therefore get more from the references and connections to the original story.
How long is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
The answer depends on the date of your performance in 2026.
Until 20 September 2026: the original two-part version
The historic London production consists of two separate parts. Part One lasts around 2 hours 40 minutes, including the interval, while Part Two lasts around 2 hours 25 minutes, also including an interval.
The two parts can be scheduled on the same day, with a break between performances. In that case, you should plan a large part of your day and evening around the show.
From 9 October 2026: a new single-part version
From 9 October 2026, London will host a new version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child telling the complete story during a single performance.
The announced running time is around 2 hours 55 minutes, including the interval. This new format makes the show much easier to fit into a London trip, as visitors no longer need to reserve two separate performances.
The original two-part production will have run for almost ten years in the West End before moving to this new format.
Tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London
Ticket prices for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child vary depending on the date, performance and seating area chosen at the Palace Theatre.
To compare available seating categories and find a price that suits your dates, it is worth checking several options before booking. Performances during weekends and school holidays can be particularly popular.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
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Book as soon as your dates are fixed if you want a particular area of the auditorium. The cheapest tickets may sometimes be higher up or offer a partially restricted view, so check the seating plan before choosing.
Friday Forty: discounted tickets
The production also offers Friday Forty, a weekly lottery giving a limited number of discounted tickets for performances taking place the following week.
Availability is limited and tickets are not guaranteed, so this option is best suited to visitors who are flexible with their dates and are happy to wait until shortly before the performance to find out whether they have been successful.
Is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child suitable for children?
The production recommends the show for children aged 8 and over. Children under 5 are not admitted to the theatre, and every spectator must have their own ticket.
Visitors aged under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
For children who already know Harry Potter, the performance can be particularly impressive thanks to the illusions and stage effects. However, parents should also consider the length of the show and the fact that all dialogue is in English.
For a child who does not speak English as a first language, the main consideration is not only age but also their level of English and familiarity with the Harry Potter universe. A child who already knows the story and characters will generally find the performance easier to follow.
Can you see the play without speaking English well?
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is performed in English at the Palace Theatre. The visual effects make it possible to understand part of the action without following every sentence, but the plot also relies heavily on dialogue.
With an intermediate level of English, the performance is generally easier to follow if you already know the characters and the main elements of the Harry Potter story.
If your English is limited, reading a spoiler-free synopsis before the performance can help you identify the main characters and understand the basic storyline without revealing the surprises of the staging.
Where is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child performed in London?
The play is performed at the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the heart of the West End.
The theatre is very close to Soho, Chinatown, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. Piccadilly Circus is also within walking distance.
The most convenient Underground stations are:
- Leicester Square: around 4 minutes on foot, served by the Northern and Piccadilly lines;
- Tottenham Court Road: around 5 minutes on foot, served by the Central, Northern and Elizabeth lines;
- Piccadilly Circus: around 7 minutes on foot, served by the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines.
Charing Cross railway station is also relatively close.
What time should you arrive?
Security checks are carried out at the entrance to the Palace Theatre. The production currently recommends arriving around one hour before the performance to allow enough time to enter and reach your seat.
Be careful with luggage: suitcases and bags larger than approximately 41 × 31 × 16 cm are not accepted inside the theatre. There is no luggage storage immediately outside, so avoid arriving directly with a large suitcase.
Accessibility at the Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is a historic building and some areas of the auditorium can only be reached by stairs. Visitors with specific access requirements should therefore check the conditions for their chosen seats before booking.
The production also schedules accessible performances, including captioned, audio-described and adapted performances. British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances may also appear in the calendar.
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A hearing assistance system is available inside the theatre. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are also welcome.
Dates for accessible performances change throughout the year. Check the official calendar before booking rather than selecting a performance at random.
What can you do around the Palace Theatre?
The Palace Theatre's location makes it easy to combine the show with half a day in central London.
Chinatown and Soho are only a few minutes away on foot and offer plenty of restaurants for a meal before or after the performance. Covent Garden and Leicester Square are also nearby.
Harry Potter fans can also walk to Piccadilly Circus, which appears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, or continue towards other locations connected with the films.
Other Harry Potter experiences in London
The play can easily be included in a trip entirely focused on Harry Potter. Our Harry Potter guide to London brings together the main experiences available in the capital.
Explore the filming locations
King's Cross, Leadenhall Market, Borough Market, the Millennium Bridge and Piccadilly Circus are among the Harry Potter filming locations in London that can be explored around the city.
One of the most popular stops remains Platform 9¾ at King's Cross station, where a luggage trolley recreates the passage towards the Hogwarts Express.
Visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
To discover original sets, costumes and props from the films, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter is the natural complement to the stage show.
The tour includes the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Gringotts, the Forbidden Forest and the Hogwarts Express.
Summary
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is performed at the Palace Theatre in London's West End. The play continues the Harry Potter story 19 years after the events of the original series and features characters including Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy.
The year 2026 marks an important change: the original two-part version ends on 20 September 2026, while a new single-part version begins on 9 October 2026. The new production lasts around 2 hours 55 minutes, including the interval.
The show is recommended for ages 8+, children under 5 are not admitted, and visitors under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The performance is in English and advance booking is recommended, particularly during busy periods.
Sources and useful links
Official sources
- About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- Tickets and practical information
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child accessibility
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Olivier Awards
Useful links
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