“Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature” Exhibition Opening in December in London
It was back in January that we learned of the forthcoming Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature exhibition, to be displayed at London’s Natural History Museum in partnership with Warner Bros. and BBC Studios. Originally planned with a spring opening, it was delayed for obvious reasons and is now set to debut on December 9, 2020, staying at the museum until August 2021.
The exhibition will showcase how our world’s myths and real creatures have inspired the wizarding world’s fantastic beasts, also highlighting real-world explorers like the wizarding world’s Newt Scamander.
Head into a world of fantastical creatures with a new exhibition from @NHM_London. Opening 9 December it will showcase creatures from Fantastic Beasts alongside some of earth’s most spellbinding animals.
Tickets on sale 12th November. #NHMFantasticBeasts https://t.co/HisFV8Cp28 pic.twitter.com/Nc8YgoLRdZ— Wizarding World (@wizardingworld) October 26, 2020
Clare Matterson, executive director of engagement at the museum, explains the intersection between the magical and natural worlds present in the new exhibition.
[Visitors] will journey through magical realms and walk alongside some of the most fascinating creatures in the world. At the heart of this exhibition is a celebration of all the fantastic beasts we have the privilege of sharing our planet with, and the very real threats they face. Visitors will leave with a renewed love of the wonders of nature, and a revived urgency to help protect it.
In accordance with government safety measures, the exhibition will include mandatory face coverings, social distancing, hand sanitizer stations, and frequent cleaning.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on November 12 at 9:00 a.m., with prices of £22 for adults and £13.25 for children. See additional ticket prices here. Wizarding World Gold members, as well as museum members, get early access to tickets on November 9, and Wizarding World Gold members get a 10% discount. Harry Potter Fan Club members get early access on November 11.
Those who previously booked tickets but had them refunded when the exhibition was postponed will also get early access by email.
Meanwhile, the exhibition’s companion book, titled Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature: Amazing Animals and the Magical Creatures of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, which was previously scheduled to be released in June, now has a November 26 release date and a beautiful cover image. Amazon.co.uk has the hardback edition available for preorder for £25 and the Kindle edition for £6.99, but the hardback is also currently 10% off on Bloomsbury’s website.
If you’re not in the United Kingdom, you will hopefully still get your chance to see Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature. The exhibition was originally expected to go on an international tour after its time in London. And while no further information about this has been given since the pandemic began, we still expect it will happen… eventually.
