Harry Potter: Visions of Magic opens at Place Bonaventure
Walk through the Ministry of Magic and Diagon Alley in an interactive exhibition where you can wave wands and experience 10 rooms of Potterverse immersion.
Wizards and Muggles alike can step into the Harry Potter universe this week at Place Bonaventure's first interactive Harry Potter exhibition in Montreal.
Harry Potter: Visions of Magic invites visitors to meander through the halls of the Ministry of Magic, uncover the dark magic behind Diagon Alley's facades and experience the fantasy world of the books and films firsthand. The 10 interactive rooms let you wave wands to make creatures appear and follow the tracks of "the boy who lived" through increasingly immersive scenes.
The staff is costumed and in character with sorcerous voices and magical wands, creating an atmosphere that feels pulled straight from Hogwarts and England. A highlight is Newt Scamander's menagerie, filled with some of his special creatures in homage to "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."
While some rooms shine brighter than others—and some decor feels cheaper than you'd hope—there's something for everyone. The experience is deeply catered to fans, with special details throughout that let you reenact movie moments and feel like you're joining Harry in the final battle against Voldemort.
The exhibition is tucked away in the tall dark alleyways of Place Bonaventure (800 de la Gauchetière Ouest), with sound effects straight out of England that help set the mood. Staff could do more to guide wizards toward the interactive wand stations, but the overall effect is a genuine escape into the magical world.
Harry Potter: Visions of Magic runs until June 29, open Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.