Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the National Theatre

If you have a Harry Potter fan at home who is old enough to sit through a full theater production, this is the one. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opens at the National Theatre on July 8, and it is unlike anything your kids have seen on a stage before. The show runs about three and a half hours with one intermission, so I would really only recommend it for kids 10 and up. Younger ones will have a hard time sitting that long, and some of the story gets pretty intense.

The production itself is unreal. The stage effects had my kids grabbing my arm more than once. There are moments where you genuinely cannot figure out how they did what they just did, and your kids will be talking about those scenes for weeks. Without spoiling anything, there are illusions involving cloaks, wands, and some truly wild set transformations that feel like actual magic. The cast is incredible, and the story picks up where the books left off, following Harry's son Albus as he starts at Hogwarts. If your kids have read the books or watched the movies, they will be fully locked in from the opening scene.

Now, the tickets. Regular pricing ranges from about $40 up to $200 depending on where you sit. But here is the real tip: the Golden Snitch Digital Lottery. You enter online before each performance and if you win, you get tickets for just $40 each. My neighbor won on their second try, so it is definitely worth doing. Enter every day the show runs and you will likely hit eventually.

The National Theatre is right on Pennsylvania Avenue, super easy to get to. Metro Center is a short walk away, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby if you want to grab dinner before the show. I would plan to arrive about 30 minutes early so everyone can use the restroom and get settled. The lobby has some Harry Potter themed photo spots and merchandise, so your kids will want time to check those out too. Bring a light jacket because theaters tend to run cold, especially for a three-plus hour show. This is genuinely one of the best live experiences for families in DC right now, and your kids will remember it for a long time.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Address: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
• ✓Best for ages 10 and up. The show is 3.5 hours long, and the story has some intense moments that may be too much for younger kids.
• ✓Enter the Golden Snitch Digital Lottery online before each performance for a chance at $40 tickets. Enter daily for the best odds.
• ✓Arrive 30 minutes early so kids can explore the lobby, check out the photo spots, and use the restroom before the show starts.
• ✓Bring a light jacket. The theater runs cold, especially for a long show. Layers are your friend.
• ✓Eat before you arrive. There are plenty of restaurants on Pennsylvania Avenue and nearby blocks. The intermission break is not long enough for a full meal.
• ✓No photos or recording during the show. They are very strict about this, so make sure your kids know ahead of time.