You don’t have to be a wizard or witch to find your Hogwarts house, customize a wand, or brew your own potion.

Muggles can be wizards for a day when they visit Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which opened at CambridgeSide in Cambridge on Friday 13 September.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition opened in Philadelphia in February 2022, then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to New York City, so this is their New England debut as part of their nationwide tour.

The exhibition is a product of Imagine Exhibitions, the same company that has produced dozens of other exhibitions, including Titanic: The Exhibition and Downton Abbey: The Exhibition.

“We want to satisfy those fans and then we also want to make their significant other or friends or whoever feel like they had a great experience,” Tom Zaller, president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, told MassLive. “Whether you’re going to learn something or be entertained, that’s our job. We want to create a great experience.”

Harry Potter: The Exhibition fully immerses fans in the iconic moments, characters, locations and beasts from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

But before you hop on your broom to look around for yourself, here’s what you need to know about the exhibit, which includes everything from props to potions.

How does the exhibition work?

Harry Potter: The Exhibition is a self-guided tour, so you are on your own while enjoying the experience. An audio guide is also available.

You first buy a ticket and are given a wristband that serves as your pass through the space. You activate your wristband by tapping it on a machine upon entry, writing your name and taking a photo before walking through the exhibition. The wristbands activate the interactive elements in each room and help you collect “house points.”

Which rooms are part of the exhibition?

Harry Potter: The Exhibition consists of more than 20 rooms, including Page to Screen, Marauder’s Map, The Grand Staircase, The Great Hall, Wand Room, Divination Room, Potions Room, Herbology Room, Dark Arts Room, Hagrid’s Hut, The Forbidden Forest, The Triwizard Tournament, Quidditch, and The Cupboard Under the Stairs.

Each room draws on elements of the series and features real props from the films. Most rooms have an interactive element. For example, you learn about your Hogwarts house by taking a photo with the Sorting Hat or tapping a screen with your wristband to create wands and potions. Rooms without an interactive element are for photos, such as the Great Hall and Hagrid’s Hut.

What makes this exhibition different from other Harry Potter exhibitions?

This Harry Potter exhibition is, according to Zaller, the only traveling exhibition to feature original props and costumes from the films. With an area of ​​2,800 square meters, this special exhibition is also the largest Harry Potter traveling exhibition in the world.

“The big differentiator is certainly the props and costumes, but also the way it’s produced. The media used. The characters, the film clips, all that stuff,” Zaller said. “This is what Warner Brothers calls the most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever put on about ‘Harry Potter,’ so it’s pretty cool.”

Zaller also said it was difficult to compare this exhibition to experiences like those at Universal Studios or the studio tours in the UK because they are so different.

“You can’t associate them,” he said. “What makes us special is that there are no props or costumes. So that’s definitely a differentiator. Plus, we’re in more intimate spaces.”

Why did the exhibition come to Cambridge?

Imagine Exhibitions decided that the Greater Boston area would be a great market for Harry Potter: The Exhibition because it has many educated residents who, Zaller said, are more likely to have read the original Harry Potter books and would be more inclined to attend the exhibition. The company also liked the location and developed a great partnership with businesses in the area.

“We’ve done other shows here in the past. We like the city,” Zaller said. “It’s a great market. One of the top markets in the country. So we’re happy to be here.”

Is there a gift shop?

The exhibit features a gift shop that sells exclusive merchandise, including clothing, jewelry and edible treats like chocolate frogs and bottled butterbeer. Eighty percent of the items in the gift shop are only available at this specific exhibit, according to Zaller.

How long does it take?

The tour of “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.

How long does the exhibition last in Massachusetts?

“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is a temporary installation and is scheduled to remain in Massachusetts until January 5, 2025.

When is the exhibition open?

Harry Potter: The Exhibition is open seven days a week, but opening hours vary daily. A flex ticket guarantees you entry on any day and at any time within opening hours. With timed tickets, you must show up within your specified time slot. Zaller recommends coming during the week to avoid large crowds.

Where will the exhibition take place?

Harry Potter: The Exhibition is located in the former Best Buy at CambridgeSide at 100 CambridgeSide Place in Cambridge.

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets cost $25 for adults and $19 for children during the week and $29 and $24 on weekends and holidays. Tickets can be purchased online.

Further information about “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” can be found online.