ORLANDO, FL — Universal Orlando is bringing the darker side of magic back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this fall. Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, the projection show that turns Hogwarts over to Dementors and Lord Voldemort’s followers, returns to Hogsmeade on select nights from September 5 through November 1. It is the show’s first run since 2022. Death Eaters return to Diagon Alley on select days and nights from August 27 through November 1.
Universal announced both experiences on August 19.
This fall, the darker side of magic takes hold of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort as the projection show Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle returns to Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure on select nights from September 5 through November 1. Guests can also come face-to-face with Death Eaters as they prowl the streets of Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida on select days and nights from August 27 through November 1.
Universal describes the season that way.
What Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle Is
Dark Arts is a nighttime projection-mapping show staged on Hogwarts castle. In Universal’s words:
This season, Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle returns for the first time since 2022, once again unleashing Dementors, Death Eaters, and more of Lord Voldemort’s legions upon Hogwarts castle. As night falls in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, guests will be swept into an ominous spectacle featuring state-of-the-art projection mapping, special effects, lights, and music from the iconic Harry Potter films, bringing them face-to-face with the darker side of magic.
Death Eaters in Diagon Alley
Across the resort at Universal Studios Florida, the Death Eaters return to the streets of Diagon Alley:
In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, guests can encounter Death Eaters, Lord Voldemort’s most loyal followers, as they roam the shadows of Knockturn Alley.
New Voldemort-Inspired Wand and Merchandise
Universal is also selling Dark Arts merchandise for the season, including a new wand modeled on Voldemort’s:
In honor of the season, guests can shop Dark Arts-inspired merchandise, including a newly released Second Generation Interactive Wand crafted after the wand wielded by Lord Voldemort himself. For an extra dose of Dark magic, guests can explore Borgin and Burkes, a shadowy shop infamous for its shady patrons and powerful, unusual objects tucked away in Knockturn Alley within Diagon Alley.
Dates at a Glance
| Experience | Where | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle (projection show, select nights) | Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hogsmeade, Islands of Adventure | Sept. 5 to Nov. 1 |
| Death Eaters (roaming scareactors, select days and nights) | Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley, Universal Studios Florida | Aug. 27 to Nov. 1 |
Universal has not published the specific per-night calendar for Dark Arts. The show runs on select nights inside the September 5 to November 1 window, so guests should check the official Universal Orlando calendar before planning a visit.
Dark Arts and HHN 35 Share the Fall Calendar
Dark Arts and the Diagon Alley Death Eaters are separate from Halloween Horror Nights, Universal’s after-hours haunt event, but this year the calendars overlap. The Death Eaters begin roaming Diagon Alley on August 27, the day before Halloween Horror Nights 35 opens on August 28 for its 35th anniversary. With Dark Arts back after a three-year absence, Universal has two distinct scare experiences running across both parks this fall: the in-park Wizarding World overlays and the after-hours houses of HHN 35. The Voldemort-inspired wand joins the rest of Universal’s 2026 Halloween merchandise for the season.
