Voldemort’s Legions Take Over Universal Orlando This Fall as ‘Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle’ Returns

Keep your wand at the ready — the darker side of magic is reclaiming the Wizarding World this fall, on both coasts.

Universal has announced that “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” will return to Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure on select nights from September 5 through November 1, 2026 — the nighttime show’s first appearance at the Orlando park since 2022. The projection spectacle transforms Hogwarts castle with state-of-the-art projection mapping, special effects, lights, and music from the films, unleashing Dementors, Death Eaters, and more of Lord Voldemort’s legions upon the castle walls — culminating with the Dark Lord himself summoning his followers to swarm the towers.

The Death Eaters arrive even earlier. Over at Universal Studios Florida, guests can come face-to-face with Death Eaters as they prowl the streets of Diagon Alley and roam the shadows of Knockturn Alley on select days and nights from August 27 through November 1 — a window that coincides with Halloween Horror Nights.

West Coast wizards aren’t left out. At Universal Studios Hollywood, Death Eaters will once again roam The Wizarding World of Harry Potter beginning in the early evening during Halloween Horror Nights, which runs select nights from September 3 through November 1. One note for planning: the Hollywood Death Eaters are part of HHN, so you’ll need an event ticket — and Hollywood hasn’t announced a full Dark Arts castle show for this fall, so the projection spectacle itself is an Orlando exclusive for now.

Where things stand:

• Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle — Hogsmeade, Universal Islands of Adventure (Orlando), select nights September 5–November 1
• Death Eaters in Diagon Alley — Universal Studios Florida, select days and nights August 27–November 1
• Death Eaters in Hogsmeade (Hollywood) — during Halloween Horror Nights, select nights September 3–November 1
• Dark Arts merch — including a newly released Second Generation Interactive Wand modeled after Lord Voldemort’s own wand, at Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley

Exact nightly calendars and showtimes haven’t been published yet, so check Universal’s sites before planning your visit.

Looking for more Harry Potter events? Check out our Things to Do page for everything else on the calendar.

Will you be facing down the Death Eaters this fall — Orlando or Hollywood? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow along for more Harry Potter news.