Edinburgh Castle to screen Harry Potter film with live orchestra - here's how to get tickets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is to be shown on a giant 40-foot screen at Edinburgh Castle in the summer - accompanied by a live performance of the iconic soundtrack by Scotland’s national orchestra.

Fans will be able to relive the magic of the third film in the famous series on the evening of Sunday July 19 next year, as part of Edinburgh Castle’s returning Castle Concerts series.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Pope, will perform John Williams’ iconic score live while the film is beamed on to the big screen, bringing the blockbuster film to life. Williams earned an Oscar nomination for the score back in 2004.

In the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry, Ron and Hermione are in their third year at Hogwarts, and meet the escaped prisoner Sirius Black who is believed to be hunting Harry. Harry also comes face to face with the soul-sucking dementors and uncovers the truth about Sirius and his relationship to Harry’s parents.

This is the third year audiences can experience the spectacle live at Edinburgh Castle, with the first and second films shown in the summer of 2024 and 2025.

How can I get tickets?

Tickets go on sale on Friday December 12 at 10am on Ticketmaster. Fan Club Presale tickets are available from Wednesday December 10 until 9am on the Friday.

On the night, gates are set to open at 6.15pm with the performance beginning at 7.30pm. The show will wrap up at 10.30pm.

Justin Freer, President of CineConcerts and Producer/Conductor of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, said: “The Harry Potter film series is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomenon that continues to delight millions of fans around the world.

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“It is with great pleasure that we bring fans for the first time ever an opportunity to experience the award-winning music scores played live by a symphony orchestra, all while the beloved film is simultaneously projected onto the big screen.

“This is truly an unforgettable event.”

Brady Beaubien, of CineConcerts and Concert Producer for the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, said: “Harry Potter is synonymous with excitement around the world and we hope that by performing this incredible music with the full movie, audiences will continue to celebrate the wizarding world.”