In February 2021, the award-winning Scenes in the Square installation situated in Leicester Square made up of some of the world’s favourite characters and scenes from beloved films and TV shows was launched. And this Autumn, it's being illuminated. The nine bronze statues which include magical characters such as Harry Potter and Mary Poppins, everyone's favourite bear Paddington, and several other statues will be lit up this autumn season, from October 13th - 25th and it will be lit from 6-8.35pm.

And today it is announced that, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in cinemas, nine 15 foot wands will simultaneously activate the infamous wand-lighting charm “Lumos” to create an illuminated 18 metre walkway.  Each one represents a character from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise - will you recognise the Elder Wand, identify Harry's and of course, Voldemorts?

Polly Cochrane, Country Manager UK & Ireland at Warner Bros. said: “We are thrilled to unveil the Wizarding World Wands in London’s Leicester Square to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone being released in UK cinemas and look forward to next year’s release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.“

“Leicester Square itself has played its part in the Wizarding World legacy by hosting premieres for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films over two decades, so we are delighted to bring the wands here for fans to enjoy.”

Following the display, the UK will continue its Potterversary celebrations, by kicking off special screenings of the first movie in cinemas across the country. Plus, October 25 does not mark the end of the giant wands. Leading up the April 8 release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore in cinemas, the wands will hit four other UK cities, as voted for by the public: Hull, Stoke, Reading and Birmingham. Each city will enjoy the wands for a week from March onwards.

Have you read Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone - if not, what are you waiting for? The first Harry Potter book was published in 1997 to immediate popular and critical acclaim. Six further best-selling books, three companion books, a playscript and two screenplays have since followed. The Harry Potter books have been translated into over 80 languages, won multiple awards, and sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling book series in history...

Read our review and see the other books in the series https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/17546/Harry-Potter-and-the-Philosophers-Stone-by-J-K-Rowling.html