2019 – Year in Review

January 1 - Major League Quidditch announced the addition of three new franchises and the loss of a division.

January 3 - Muggle money received a magical makeover as the Royal Mint released its limited-edition Harry Potter coins.

January 5 - VIDEO - The cast members taking on the roles of Albus Severus Potter, Rose Granger-Weasley, and Scorpius Malfoy in the Melbourne production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child were revealed.

January 9 - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was nominated for both Production Design and Special Visual Effects BAFTAs.

January 10 - The Scottish SPCA rescued a rare black seal, naming it after Narcissa Malfoy.

January 18 - Warner Bros. announced that filming for the untitled third Fantastic Beasts movie had been pushed to fall 2019.

January 22 - Barnes & Noble released an extended cut of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and five minutes of exclusive footage on one of the story’s most fascinating characters, Nicolas Flamel.

January 25 - VIDEO - Bloomsbury announced the release of the House-themed 20th-anniversary editions of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

January 29 - VIDEO - Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter announced the addition of Gringotts Wizarding Bank to its permanent exhibit at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden.

January 31 - A limited-edition collection of photographic prints showcasing scenes from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released by Classic Stills in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

February 7 - Bloomsbury published dyslexia-friendly editions of the Hogwarts Library textbooks.

February 8 - The premiere and opening dates of the San Francisco production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child were announced for October 23 and December 1, 2019.

February 12 - Concept art for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was leaked online.

February 15 - USAopoly announced three new Harry Potter-themed board games.

February 16 - Deleted scenes from Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald were released with the digital version of the film.

February 17 - VIDEO - Sonia Friedman, producer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, won Producer of the Year at the Stage Awards.

February 20 - Emma Watson participated in the first-ever G7 Advisory Council for Gender Equality meeting.

February 21 - Universal Orlando Resort announced its newest Harry Potter attraction, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

February 22 - Audible Latino released Harry Potter audiobooks narrated in Spanish.

February 28 - VIDEO - Test footage of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was released.

March 2 - John Williams appeared at New World Symphony's gala celebrating his music and even conducted some of his work.

March 2 - A group of second and third graders at Sweet Grass School in Edmonton, Canada, built a replica of Hogwarts Castle for their new indoor playground.

March 4 - A brand-new Niffler got lost and ran free on a railcar in London before being returned safely to his family.

March 6 - Emma Watson unveiled her goals for the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council's official summit in August.

March 8 - Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) joined Greenpeace UK in its plastic waste study of British waterways.

March 12 - VIDEO - Daniel Radcliffe revealed that he wants to direct movies.

March 20 - Clémence Poésy (Fleur Delacour) was announced as a new ambassador for beauty giant Shiseido.

March 20 - In an interview with Allure magazine, Gemma Chan (Madam Ya Zhou) talked about playing a historically white character in Mary Queen of Scots.

March 23 - James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) and Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick) spoke out against a Harry Potter reboot.

March 27 - The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat opened applications to fill an administrative wizard position within the Canadian government.

April 7 - Jenny Jules, who played Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, discussed the role.

April 15 - MuggleNet provided an inside look at the creatures featured in the new Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

April 19 - The ban on donated books for prisoners in Washington state was recognized.

April 22 - Vans announced that it would be releasing a new Harry Potter line of merchandise.

April 25 - We got a look into Bonnie Wright’s sustainable swimwear collection sold by Fair Harbor Clothing.

April 26 - LEGO announced that it would be releasing new Harry Potter sets, including Hagrid’s Hut and a Yule Ball set.

April 26 - VIDEO - Ezra Miller and his band, Sons of an Illustrious Father, released a new self-titled song and set tour dates for the rest of the year.

April 29 - After a long-awaited announcement, the next installment of the Fantastic Beasts series received a release date.

April 29 - A new app that promotes safety for Muggles everywhere was named Protego after the Shield Charm.

April 30 - Daniel Radcliffe returned to the stage in London for the first time in two years and also announced that he would be joining a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

May 6 - VIDEO - Universal Orlando Resort released a first look at its new ride in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

May 6 - Richmond, Virginia, was announced as the final location for the 2020 Quidditch World Cup.

May 10 - Emma Watson spoke at the G7 Gender Equality Conference in France.

May 12 - Pottermore announced it would be rebranding to Wizarding World Digital as part of a merger with Warner Bros.

May 15 - VIDEO - Wrock band Harry and the Potters released “The Trace,” a single off Lumos, their first full-length album in 13 years.

May 17 - VIDEO - MuggleNet got a sneak peek at Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

May 21 - VIDEO - Character portraits were released for the Year 4 West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

May 22 - Sonia Friedman Productions announced that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will open in Toronto, Canada, in fall 2020.

May 24 - Pottermore announced four new e-books based on the Harry Potter: A History of Magic audiobook, which itself was inspired by the exhibition of the same name.

May 25 - Costumes from Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald were put on display at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood.

May 31 - The Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery mobile game released the long-awaited time-limited side quest that would enable players to discover their Patronus.

June 5 - Harry Potter attractions opened at a theme park in Indonesia.

June 5 - LEGO and Kano won awards for Potter-themed toys and games at the 2019 International Licensing Awards.

June 13 - VIDEO - The Harry Potter: Wizards Unite team teased that the game was made for fans to be a part of the Potter series.

June 20 - Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic announced its closing date.

June 23 - San Diego Comic-Con-exclusive Wizarding World Funko merchandise was revealed.

June 25 - Nine Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter stars were nominated for Teen Choice Awards, including Daniel Radcliffe and Johnny Depp.

June 25 - MuggleNet rounded up some tips and tricks for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite to make your wizarding world gaming experience even better.

June 26 - What was possibly Daniel Radcliffe’s first-ever autograph went up for auction.

June 26 - James Snyder announced his vlog Magic to Do, taking fans behind the scenes of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to show what all the witches and wizards were up to.

June 30 - The 2020 and 2021 dates and locations for US Quidditch regional and national championships were announced.

July 8 - Bloomsbury celebrated the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban with a social media campaign and art auction.

July 11 - Details were reported about the fire that broke out at Leavesden Studios earlier in the week.

July 11 - BroadwayWorld reported that the play Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic would become available for licensing.

July 11 - The first Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Community Day was announced.

July 18 - The covers and some interior spreads were revealed for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Journey.

July 24 - Bloomsbury announced the theme for Harry Potter Book Night 2020: the Triwizard Tournament.

July 28 - HBO announced that it would air Finding the Way Home, a documentary about J.K. Rowling’s Lumos Foundation, in December 2019.

July 31 - Theatre Development Fund announced that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would have autism-friendly performances in 2020.

July 31 - Tickets went on sale for Hogwarts After Dark at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter.

August 6 - Universal Orlando Resort announced the relaunch of its popular “Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package.”

August 11 - All seven Harry Potter books were featured on a list of the top 50 most-read books in the United Kingdom.

August 12 - Amazon bought a limited-edition copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard for $3.98 million, making it one of the most expensive books ever sold.

August 13 - Emma Thompson spoke out about the Me Too movement and tackling climate change.

August 13 - J.K. Rowling received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award for her work with her children’s charity, Lumos.

August 15 - A full set of first-edition American Harry Potter books were sold for over $25,000 in an auction.

August 15 - MuggleNet exclusively revealed some interior spreads from the brand-new Harry Potter: Exploring Hogwarts: An Illustrated Guide book, featuring gorgeous renderings of Hogwarts’s most iconic locations.

August 16 - Pottermore announced the creation of a new official Wizarding World app in collaboration with Warner Bros.

August 19 - Insight Editions announced its partnership with Warner Bros. to release brand-new wizarding world film-inspired books in September.

August 19 - Warner Bros. invited Harry Potter fans to Discover Hogwarts events at the Ohio State University and the University of Arizona to celebrate back to school.

August 21 - VIDEO - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child actors gave their takes on their characters and the work behind the scenes to produce the play.

August 28 - MuggleNet revealed a sneak peek at the brand-new official Wizarding World app after it was released exclusively in New Zealand ahead of the worldwide launch.

September 2 - Warner Bros. confirmed the four regional tour cities (Kingston upon Hull, Stoke, Reading, and Birmingham) that fans voted on for the Fantastic Beasts: Wizarding World Wands Supporting Lumos installation.

September 4 - VIDEO - Gamers unlocked a special Day of the Dragons event for Wizards Unite and could now also play Quidditch in Hogwarts Mystery.

September 6 - VIDEO - Universal Orlando Resort announced its new light and projection show, “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

September 12 - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was nominated for a European Film Awards People’s Choice Award.

September 19 - Wizarding World Digital (formerly known as Pottermore) released its new mobile app in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

September 21 - Universal announced that its brand-new Beijing resort will open its doors to the public in 2021 and include a Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

September 26 - A rare first-edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was sold for £27,500 ($33,974) at Chiswick Auctions.

October 2 - VIDEO - Pottermore fully transitioned into Wizarding World Digital, releasing a new Sorting Ceremony and announcing a free fan club to supplement Wizarding World Gold.

October 3 - Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter announced it will be adding two classrooms to the tour for classes promoting STEM education.

October 4 - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald star Claudia Kim interviewed with Wonderland magazine to speak about her career, including playing Nagini and being a woman in film.

October 9 - The Siedler family decorated their home with Harry Potter-themed Halloween decorations to raise money for research on their daughter’s rare genetic disorder.

October 13 - As part of a language recovery effort in New Zealand, it was announced that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone will be translated into Maori.

October 15 - VIDEO - Universal announced that Universal Beijing Resort, set to open in 2021, will include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

October 23 - Chris Rankin tweeted that he worked at a restaurant after Potter, citing the need to pay bills no matter a person’s profession.

October 26 - VIDEO - Toyota showcased the broomstick-style design of its futuristic mobility platform.

October 28 - Declining sales revenue for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and a lackluster response to Wizards Unite and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald led some to speculate on the state of the fandom.

October 31 - Amid the Brexit debate, J.K. Rowling contributed an essay to the book A Love Letter to Europe.

November 4 - Preproduction began on the third Fantastic Beasts film.

November 6 - VIDEO - Emma Watson discussed being single and turning 30 in an interview with Vogue.

November 12 - VIDEO - The Wizarding World Gold subscription service officially launched.

November 13 - The Harry Potter Alliance launched an immigration justice database.

November 17 - Bulgaria released 20th-anniversary editions of the Harry Potter books.

November 23 - Emma Watson’s likeness was featured in a portrait of influential British women.

November 24 - VIDEO - Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure won a Themed Entertainment Association Award.

November 25 - J.K. Rowling’s Lumos announced the release of a Christmas album featuring cast members from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

November 26 - Funko announced the release of its first-ever Patronus Pop! figurine.

November 28 - VIDEO - Pandora released images of its Harry Potter collection.

November 30 - Maggie Smith won a record-breaking sixth Evening Standard Theater Award.

December 3 - The filming location for the Potter family home in Godric’s Hollow went up for sale.

December 8 - Books of Wonder auctioned off rare Potter pieces to raise funds for a new location.

December 11 - Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter won a cruelty-free award.

December 11 - Dame Maggie Smith discussed her time on the Harry Potter films and revealed that she didn’t find her role “satisfying.”

December 16 - J.K. Rowling received the Ripple of Hope Award from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.

December 19 - J.K. Rowling caused controversy with her first tweet in months, seeming to agree with anti-transgender views.

December 30 - Cursed Child broke box office records in San Francisco with the highest weekly gross of a play in San Francisco history.

December 31 - J.K. Rowling topped Forbes's World’s Highest-Paid Authors 2019 list.