Happy 39th Birthday to Harry Potter!

The fictional Boy Who Lived from the “Harry Potter” chapter book series celebrates his birthday on July 31, the same day as the series’ author J.K. Rowling.

Since the book’s original publication in 1997, more than 500 million copies of “Harry Potter” books have been sold worldwide, according to Pottermore. With an ever-growing fan base, Harry and his friends aren’t going away any time soon, especially with the release of mobile game “Wizards Unite” in June 2019.

So Potterheads in Phoenix, portkey your way to some parties around the Valley to celebrate the boy who started it all. Wizards, witches and muggles alike are welcome.

7/20: Harry Potter Celebration

Join the Phoenix Public Library at Desert Sage for an all-ages, end-of-summer reading party that’s Harry Potter-themed. Create wands, attend a potions class and discover which Hogwarts house is your new home with help from the Sorting Hat.

Details: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Desert Sage Branch with Phoenix Public Library, 7602 W. Encanto Blvd. Free. 602-262-4636, phoenixpubliclibrary.org.

7/22-27: Movie screenings in Mesa Public Library

Films about a certain magical young wizard will be screened at the main branch of Mesa Public Library for six days in a row. It’s a screening series for all ages, including muggles and magical folk.

Details: 2 p.m. on Friday. 3:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursday. 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. 10 a.m. on Saturday. Main Library, 64 E. First St., Mesa. Free. 480-644-3100, events.mesalibrary.org/events.

7/25: Harry Potter Trivia

Did you ace your OWLs? Then this event is for you insufferable know-it-alls who love trivia. There are prizes for the first, second and third place winners.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Thursday, July 25. Crown Public House, 333 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix. Free to play. 602-368-4344, crownpublichouse.com.

7/26-27: Harry Potter Party at Changing Hands

Grab your robes and wands for the Triwizard Tournament. Learn to ballroom dance at the Yule Ball or test your mental strength in the booklover’s maze with other worthy champions.

Details: 8-11 p.m. Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27. Changing Hands Bookstore Phoenix, 300 W. Camelback Road. $16.89 includes one commemorative color-changing cup with butterbeer. 602-274-0067, changinghands.com.

7/27: Harry Potter Party!

The Harmon Library with Phoenix Public Library is also celebrating Harry’s birthday with an end-of-the-summer reading party. You don’t need a Firebolt to get yourself here, so join in on the family fun.

Details: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 27. Harmon Library, 1325 S. Fifth Ave., Phoenix. Free. 602-262-4636, phoenixpubliclibrary.org.

7/27: Changing Hands Fourth Annual Kids’ Harry Potter Party in Phoenix

Harry Potter fans ages 8-14 can compete in their own Triwizard Tournament like their favorite champions from “The Goblet of Fire.” Enjoy butterbeer, make some crafts, experience a tea-leaf reading and freeze-dance at the Yule Ball. Accompanying adults are offered free admission, but participating adults need to buy a general admission ticket.

Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 27. Changing Hands Bookstore Phoenix, 300 W. Camelback Road. $12 per child, including one glass of butterbeer in a commemorative color-changing cup. 602-274-0067, changinghands.com.

7/27: Harry Potter Theme Day

Scottsdale’s French-inspired bakery is selling Harry Potter-themed treats. There will be Chocolate Frogs, Golden Snitch Cake Pops, “Happee Birthdae Harry” 4-inch cakes, Sorting Hat Macarons with house colors on the inside and more. Grab a package of Honeydukes magical candies and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans on their retail shelf, too. 

Details: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 27. Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop, 7350 E. Stetson Drive., Suite C101, Scottsdale. Free admission, items cost from $2-$12. 480-994-6733, facebook.com/events/1360051087497227.

7/30: Harry Potter (Book) Trivia at Growler USA Phoenix

You don’t have to be a Ravenclaw to win five rounds of Harry Potter trivia. Be sure to find a team captain so they can register online and take care of tickets for team members. But if you want to ride solo, reserve single tickets. 

Details: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. Growler USA, 5415 E. High St., Suite 101, Phoenix. Free. 480-454-4354. Register online at eventbrite.com; facebook.com/events/612963442547885.

7/31: Harry Potter’s Birthday Bash

July 31 is Harry Potter’s birthday, and Mesa Public Library is rolling out a load of fun celebratory activities. There will be edible potions, LED wands and STEAM activities with paper transfiguration and a catapults battle. Dress in your finest robes and costumes for the selfie station, plus, wizards and witches need to look their best when they visit the Sorting Hat to be placed into a Hogwarts house. 

Details: 2 -4 p.m. Wednesday, July 31. Mesa Public Library, 64 E. First St. Free. 480-644-3100, facebook.com/events/901039750232306.

8/2: Harry and The Potters Concert

Join fellow witches and wizards of all ages to listen to a band that invented Wizard Rock and created songs about books. Since 2002, Harry and the Potters have played more than 800 shows in libraries, clubs, art spaces and more. Be sure to listen for “Voldemort Can’t Stop the Rock” and look out for “Lumos,” the band’s first full-length album in 13 years.

Details: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, August 2. Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-262-4636, facebook.com/events/391096708175467.

Want to pitch a story idea? Reach reporter Samantha Incorvaia at [email protected] or 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter at @_SamI520.

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