10 Essential Tips: How to See Harry Potter And The Cursed Child In London

Book your tickets months ahead through official channels for the best seats and prices. Target midweek performances (Tuesday-Thursday) starting at £26 for significant savings. Enter the Friday Forty lottery for £40 tickets, or grab day seats at 10 a.m. on show day for £15-£40. Choose stalls for immersion or dress circle for perspective. Remember it’s a 5+ hour experience across two parts, recommended for ages 8+. These strategies will help you unseal even more money-saving secrets.

Book Your Tickets Well in Advance for Best Selection

Since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child sells out months ahead of popular dates, you’ll want to book your tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment and higher prices. The show’s currently selling tickets through July 2026, giving you over a year to plan ahead.

Booking early gives you the best selection of affordable seats, especially those £15-£20 tickets that disappear first. You’ll also have access to better viewing sections across stalls, dress circle, and balcony before only scattered single seats remain. This most awarded play in history continues to draw massive audiences, making advance planning even more crucial.

Weekend shows and school holidays sell out fastest, so they’re excluded from discount periods. Remember, you’re booking for both Part One and Part Two on the same day, which limits available seats even more.

Target Midweek Performances for Lower Prices and Better Availability

Once you’ve secured your advance booking, you’ll find the biggest savings by choosing midweek performances over weekends. Midweek shows cost £20 to £50 less than weekend performances, with tickets starting at just £26.

Wednesday and Friday matinees offer the best balance of price and seat availability, featuring more options in the £37.50–£87.50 range with Dress Circle and Grand Circle seats available.

You’ll discover better availability Tuesday through Thursday, as fewer seats remain in lower price bands on weekends. The venue is conveniently located at the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, just a 5-minute walk from Charing Cross tube station.

Balcony and restricted view seats cost only £15 to £40 midweek.

Take advantage of special midweek offers including schools packages at £8, plus save £5 with souvenir programme bundles.

These deals apply to both parts on Wednesday and Friday performances.

Score Friday Forty Tickets for Exceptional Value

Every Friday brings your chance to snag exceptional value through the Friday Forty lottery, where 40 tickets per performance are released at just £40 total—that’s only £20 per part compared to regular prices of £85-£160 for both shows.

Enter exclusively through the TodayTix app between 12:01am and 1:00pm every Friday for next week’s performances.

Winners get notified by 5:00pm the same day and receive great seats throughout the Palace Theatre.

Since demand’s high for these genuine bargains, enter multiple Fridays before your London visit to boost your chances. This most awarded new play of the century consistently sells out months in advance, making the Friday Forty one of the few reliable ways to secure affordable last-minute tickets.

You’re limited to one entry per person weekly, so encourage family members to enter separately.

If you don’t win, pursue backup options like day seats or advance bookings.

Choose the Right Seating Section for Your Budget and Experience

When you’re planning your Cursed Child adventure, choosing the right seats can make or break your magical experience—and your wallet. The Stalls offer the most immersive view with incredible detail of magic tricks and set pieces, but you’ll pay premium prices for central seats. Consider rear Stalls under the overhang for cheaper options with solid views.

Dress Circle provides the best overall perspective for mid-to-high budgets, with central rows A–D offering a perfect balance.

Grand Circle delivers good value if you don’t mind climbing 77 steps and sitting high up.

The Balcony’s your most budget-friendly choice, though you’ll sacrifice detail for distance. The Palace Theatre provides wheelchair access at Stalls level through a step-free entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue for guests who need it.

Avoid restricted view seats unless you’re prioritizing savings over sightlines—they’re often sold as bargains but compromise your experience.

Try Day Seats for Last-Minute Affordable Options

Where can you snag last-minute tickets without breaking the bank? The Palace Theatre releases a small allocation of day seats at 10:00 a.m. on performance day for £15-£40. These budget-friendly tickets cover balcony and restricted-view locations – a massive saving compared to premium seats exceeding £100.

You’ll need to queue at the theatre box office before opening time, especially on weekends when competition’s fierce. The allocation isn’t guaranteed for every performance, and you can typically buy 1-2 tickets per person. Bring cash or card, but remember these tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.

Day seats work perfectly alongside other discount options like Friday Forty lottery tickets. It’s an excellent last-minute strategy for families seeking affordable access to this magical show. For those who prefer not to queue in person, you can also call the box office at 0844 412 4656 for direct assistance from theatre staff.

Plan for Both Parts on the Same Day

Since Harry Potter and The Cursed Child tells one complete story across two parts, you’ll want to experience both on the same day for maximum impact. Part One alone gives you only half the story, while Part Two becomes difficult to follow without the first part fresh in your mind.

You’ll commit roughly 5 hours and 20 minutes plus intervals to the complete experience. Plan for travel and meals between shows since you must exit the Palace Theatre after Part One and re-enter for Part Two.

Weekend performances require same-day booking automatically, but weekdays offer flexibility to split across separate days if availability allows. However, consecutive viewing delivers the intended immersive Hogwarts experience that makes this £38+ investment worthwhile for families. The story continues 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, following Harry as an adult working at the Ministry of Magic.

Consider Accessibility Needs When Booking

If you or your family members have accessibility needs, the Palace Theatre offers extensive accommodations that make The Cursed Child experience welcoming for everyone. You’ll want to call their dedicated accessibility line rather than booking online, as this guarantees you get appropriate seating and support.

The theatre provides wheelchair spaces in the stalls with step-free access through a side entrance. You’ll often be admitted early to avoid crowds.

For sensory needs, they offer relaxed performances with quiet zones where kids can watch on screens if the auditorium becomes overwhelming. Noise-cancelling headphones and fidget aids are permitted. Staff can also remove wheelchair spaces if you prefer to remain in your wheelchair throughout the performance.

Access rates typically cost less than standard pricing, and companion tickets are often discounted or free. Book early since accessible seats are limited, and ask about audio description, captioning, or touch tours if needed.

Use Official Partners and Authorized Ticket Sellers

After ensuring the theatre meets your accessibility requirements, you’ll want to secure tickets through legitimate channels to avoid costly mistakes and potential entry denial. Start with the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child UK site and Palace Theatre box office for face-value pricing and the widest selection of dates. These official sources clearly display performance schedules, age guidance, and special rates for families and groups.

If you’re using other ticket agents, look for STAR membership, which signals consumer protection standards and secure payment systems. Verify that “official partner” sites link back to the Palace Theatre and display consistent show information.

When purchasing tickets, remember that they are for consecutive performances of both parts, ensuring you experience the complete story as intended. Avoid unverified resale sites that offer extreme mark-ups without guaranteeing valid seats or clear refund policies.

Monitor Returns for Premium Seat Opportunities

While most fans focus on initial ticket releases, you can snag premium seats at face value by monitoring the official returns process. The Palace Theatre Box Office resells returned tickets up to 24 hours before performances on a first-come, first-served basis through their official website.

Check uk.harrypottertheplay.com multiple times daily, especially mornings, as premium seats from original buyers often become available at short notice. Sign up for their newsletter and follow their Twitter and Facebook accounts for immediate notifications about late-release returns.

Returns frequently include the best seats in the house since premium ticket holders are more likely to have schedule changes. Remember that Part One and Part Two tickets must be returned together, so complete premium experiences become available. When planning your exchange, keep in mind that you’ll need a minimum 48 hours’ notice and only one exchange per order is permitted.

Stay persistent – checking close to performance dates yields the best results.

Understand Age Requirements and Theatre Policies Before Purchasing

Before you purchase tickets, familiarize yourself with the Palace Theatre’s strict age policies to avoid disappointment and wasted money at the box office. Children under 5 aren’t permitted in the theatre due to the production’s special effects and intense scenes. Every person entering requires their own ticket—there’s no lap seating for babies or toddlers.

The show’s recommended for ages 8+, though some sources suggest 10+ because of complex themes involving darkness and death. Children under 15 must have adult supervision throughout the performance. Plus, babes-in-arms are not allowed in the auditorium under any circumstances.

Consider your child’s attention span since the show runs over five hours with intermissions.

These policies exist for good reason—the content and effects can genuinely frighten younger children, making the expensive tickets a costly mistake.

The Sum Up

You’ll have an amazing time at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child if you plan smart! Book early, hunt for those Friday Forty deals, and don’t forget about day seats if you’re flexible. Keep your family’s needs in mind when choosing seats, and always use official sellers to avoid scams. With these money-saving strategies, you’ll create magical memories without breaking the bank. The wizarding world’s waiting for you!