Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando just announced “A Celebration of the Harry Potter Films” — a special three-day event starting Friday, November 11, through Sunday, November 13.

Fans who purchase special vacation packages will get the chance to mingle with Harry Potter cast members during Q&A sessions and autograph signing events. Plus, special guests can put on their best dress robes for a “spectacular evening gala” to be held at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

What else is on the enchanted agenda? All eight Harry Potter films (including the grand finale) will screen as part of the event at the AMC Universal Cineplex 20 at Universal CityWalk.

So save up your galleons! The vacation packages go on sale Sunday, July 31 at noon EST.

Wizarding World’s Harry Potter celebration details:

Celebration Vacation Package — starts at $369 per person

– 4-night accommodations at a Universal partner hotel
– 3-day ticket to both of Universal Orlando’s theme parks
– More time to enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with early park admission starting at 6 a.m.
– Reservation to one in-park Harry Potter talent Q&A session (one per person)
– Commemorative pin (one per person)
– Harry Potter Blu-Ray set (one per package)

Premier Vacation Package — starts at $699 per person

All of the above, plus:
– Reservation to one in-park Harry Potter cast member autograph session
– Admission to the exclusive nighttime gala event on Sunday, November 13
– Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks

The Harry Potter stars walked the red carpet at Trafalgar Square, marking the first time ever a film premiere has been held at the historical spot, before heading over to Leicester Square to catch the movie. Stars like Tom Felton, James and Oliver Phelps, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter, plus the woman behind it all — J.K. Rowling — mingled with the ecstatic fans while signing autographs and posing for pictures.

The veteran British thespians as well as the 20-something stars reminisced about their years on the enchanted set of Harry Potter while chatting excitedly about the epic grand finale.

In a poignant moment, producers David Heyman and David Barron, director David Yates, J.K. Rowling, and the three main stars — Daniel, Rupert and Emma — took the stage to thank the fans for their decade of loyalty. When David Yates said the Harry Potter journey was coming to an end, Radcliffe politely disagreed by saying, “Each and every person not only in this square but also watching around the world who will see this film and who have followed these films over the last 10 years will carry this story with them through the rest of their lives and it will affect what they do.”

Emma Watson thanked her co-stars through her tears calling Daniel a “perfect Harry” and praising J.K. Rowling for being a great role model. Rupert called it an “emotional week” and said he wasn’t very good at goodbyes. But he did manage to say the last 10 years have been the “best part of my life” and thanked Rowling for “what you’ve done for ginger people. I cannot put that into words.”

Rowling brought cheers when she took the mic and said, “Maybe I’ll just write another one,” but the author admitted she was joking. She went on to thank what she called her “Big 7,” Dan, Rupert, Emma, Matt, Evanna, Bonnie and Tom. And lastly, summing up the entire experience as only the author who dreamt up the world of Hogwarts could, Rowling said, “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”

For the more fashion minded, Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling both donned Oscar de la Renta gowns, while Bonnie Wright showed off a Miu Miu dress and Evanna Lynch went for a fun, flirty mini-dress.

Be sure to have some tissues on hand as you check out the video and photos below!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiere:

Daniel Radcliffe:

Emma Watson:

Rupert Grint:

Tom Felton:

Bonnie Wright:

Evanna Lynch:

In New York City, home to Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Harry Potter’s biggest fans can check out all seven films in advance of the July 15 release date of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Starting July 6, the Museum of the Moving Image will open the doors to their stunning new 267-seat theater to showcase the films in all their epic glory. The penultimate film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, will be shown on July 13. See the full schedule and ticket prices after the jump!

Tickets prices are as follows:

– $12 public for each film
– $8 for museum members
– Free for Red Carpet Kids and Silver Screen members
– Series tickets available for $50 or $35 for museum members

Fans can purchase tickets online at movingimage.us or by phone at 718-777-6800.

Museum of the Moving Image’s Harry Potter movie schedule:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Wednesday, July 6, 7:00 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Thursday, July 7, 7:00 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Friday, July 8, 7:00 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Saturday, July 9, 7:00 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Sunday, July 10, 7:00 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Monday, July 11, 7:00 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Wednesday, July 13, 7:00 p.m.

Harry Potter was nominated for a total of five Teen Choice Awards, including the biggie: Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, where The Twilight Saga: Eclipse will go face-to-face with the penultimate Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Who else was nominated against the mega-supernatural movie series? Super 8, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and X-Men: First Class.

Not only did Harry Potter score the biggest nomination, but it picked up some acting nods as well for its talented stars. Daniel Radcliffe will duke it out with Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Taylor Lautner (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) and Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern), while Emma Watson goes up against Penelope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Elle Fanning (Super 8), Blake Lively (Green Lantern) and Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse).

Fresh off the only Harry Potter win at the MTV Movie Awards several weeks ago for Best Villain, Tom Felton received another villainous nod along with stars Kevin Bacon (X-Men: First Class), Bryce Dallas Howard (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) and Leighton Meester (The Roommate).

And what would any teen award show be without some sort of best kiss category? Will fans go for Emma Watson’s liplock with Daniel Radcliffe in Deathly Hallows Part 1 over perennial favorites Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson? Other nominees in the Choice Movie: Liplock category are Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer (Beastly), Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman (Black Swan) and Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse).

The 2011 Teen Choice Awards will air on Sunday, August 7 at 8 p.m. on Fox. Vote every day for your faves at the Teen Choice website!

Daniel Radcliffe says the last Harry Potter film is one “hell of a movie,” and reveals that on the last day of filming he “wept like a child,” while Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, calls the end of filming “quite a big kind of shock.”

Not only will these Harry Potter stars grace the small screen to chat about the magical franchise, but James and Oliver Phelps (aka the Weasley twins) will guide viewers through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando.

While dishing with Larry King, Emma Watson reflects on her years playing the bright and brainy Hermione Granger. “I was so young, it’s difficult to remember much of my life before this thing happened to me. I was still losing my baby teeth,” she says.

Watch Larry King’s Harry Potter special on July 10 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET. The program will also be available on CNN International.

Photos courtesy CNN

After making a big announcement earlier this morning about Pottermore, more details and photos (see below) about the mysterious new website are beginning to emerge. When Pottermore officially launches in October, only the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, will be available for the new interactive experience. The second, Chamber of Secrets, will go online in the early part of 2012 with the rest to gradually follow.

What can Harry Potter fans expect? The first book will have 44 interactive moments such as a trip to Gringotts Bank where wizards can pick up a few galleons to spend in Diagon Alley while adding items to a magical trunk for Hogwarts. Then you can explore the Hogwarts Express on your way to the wizarding school where you’ll take a spin under the sorting hat to find out your house — Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw.

During the press conference, Rowling said, “If you’re sorted into Gryffindor you just follow Harry, but if you’re in Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin, you’ll go to your own common room. You’ll meet your own prefect, who will tell you about famous people who are in your house, and what the true nature of your house is, because in the main narrative you only ever see the other houses through the eyes of the three heroes — Harry, Ron and Hermione. So I suppose what I’m basically saying is it’s not a terrible thing to be in Slytherin.”

What’s even more exciting for Harry Potter’s biggest fans? Starting July 31, the beta phase of Pottermore will be open to a million fans who find the magical quill during an online scavenger hunt. Those lucky Potter fans will shape the final site by offering their feedback and input along the way before all can access Pottermore in October.

Stay tuned for more updates on J.K. Rowling’s latest venture, Pottermore, and don’t miss the photos below unveiled at the press conference!

Well, wonder no more. The owls have gathered and spilled their secrets. This morning, J.K. Rowling put all the rumors to rest when she took to YouTube to make a very special announcement, followed by a press conference. (See the video below!) Pottermore is “a free website that builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books.”

Harry Potter fans will be able to enjoy reading the books online in a fresh way with new illustrations and interactive moments that bring the books to life complete with new content about the magical world that J.K. Rowling has been “hoarding for years.”

Want to learn about Professor McGonagall’s love for a muggle as a young woman? How about how the Dursleys met? Reportedly, Rowling has written over 18,000 words about her beloved characters and more!

Rowling has “written extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories, which will inform, inspire and entertain readers as they journey through the storylines of the books,” a press release stated.

“As you move through the chapters, you can read and share exclusive writing from J.K. Rowling, and, just as Harry joins Hogwarts, so can you. You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup.”

Not only will fans be able to interact with Harry Potter in a new way, but Rowling also said that the Harry Potter books will at last be available as ebooks beginning in October. And the audiobooks will be featured at an online store on the Pottermore site.

Alas, J.K. Rowling also stated at the press conference that she has no plans to write an eighth Harry Potter book.

“I do have closure with Harry. I have no plans to write another novel. I’m pretty sure I’m done on the novel front… But it was fun while it lasted,” the author said. And regarding Pottermore, Rowling revealed, “I wanted to pull it back to the reading, to the literary and story experience… I’ve had a lot to do with virtually every aspect of it.”

The new Pottermore site will be open to all muggles and wizards starting in October while Harry Potter fans will be able to register as early as July 31 — on Harry Potter’s birthday! Pottermore will launch in five different languages — English, French, Italian, German and Spanish — with more languages to come.

J.K. Rowling’s Pottermore video:

Well, AMC Theatres just announced a fun and exciting way to experience the magic on the big screen again in advance of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Starting Monday, July 11, select AMC locations in 29 cities across the U.S. will show the Harry Potter films in chronological order with two movies per night. (See the schedule below!)

The big finale? On Thursday, July 14, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 will be shown at 9 p.m. and the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, will shine on the silver screen just after midnight at 12:01 a.m.

Tickets for the Thursday night event cost $20 while those who want to catch the entire four-night run (plus receive a “commemorative lanyard and retrospective booklet”) can fork out $45. To find out more, see the AMC Theatres website.

AMC’s Harry Potter film schedule:

Monday, July 11

6 p.m. – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
8:45 p.m. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Tuesday, July 12

6 p.m. – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
8:45 p.m. – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Wednesday, July 13

6 p.m. – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
8:45 p.m. – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Thursday, July 14

9 p.m. – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
12:01 a.m. – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

The party started at exactly 9:23 a.m. when Wizarding World first opened its doors last year on June 18, 2010. Lucky fans gathered around the streets of Hogsmeade as the Hogwarts Express conductor led a countdown to the magical moment complete with streamers and confetti.

And what would a Harry Potter party be without some enchanted treats? Harry Potter fans toasted each other with free butterbeer while feasting on cauldron cakes and chocolate frogs!

Along with the bash, Wizarding World of Harry Potter just kicked off a contest where the winner will get a free trip to the park. Through July 15, U.S. fans can win a VIP trip to the Universal Orlando Resort by sharing their story on the official Facebook page at Facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort. Fans who have been to the park can write about their fave Wizarding World memories while those who haven’t been can dish about why they want to go.

Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter has much to celebrate including its recent Webby Awards where Wizarding World picked up two prizes including the People’s Voice Award for “best tourism website.” Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe (who happens to be featured on SheKnows’ Man Candy Mondays) attended the awards ceremony last week where he took the stage as a presenter. Check out the video below!

Also last week, a new report detailed Wizarding World’s phenomenal rise with attendance at Universal growing by over 30 percent in the past year, with almost 6 million people checking out the new attraction.

“We’re so excited to celebrate this milestone with our guests,” said Bill Davis, president of Universal Orlando Resort. “It’s been an incredible year for us and our guests, and we look forward to creating more exciting memories with them in the years to come.”

Don’t miss more pics and the video from Wizarding World’s big celebration!

Wizarding World’s one-year anniversary party:

Daniel Radcliffe at the Webby Awards:

The newest Deathly Hallows Part 2 trailer is an emotional ride for sure with plenty of new footage for fans. Don’t miss it after the jump!

A haunting melody takes us back to the very beginning with a young Harry Potter in his crib and his mother Lily telling him to “be strong.” Flashbacks from previous films lead us into the Quidditch pitch which quickly turns into a burning inferno.

Other snippets? Snape gets a moment with Voldemort, the trio is seen on their roller coaster dragon escape, Minerva McGonagall takes charge at Hogwarts, Harry confronts Snape and Harry’s late family is seen during his final confrontation. And is that a lightning quick flash of Ron holding Hermione at the 1:40 mark that we spotted?

We get new shots of Flitwick, Bellatrix, Mrs. Weasley and Slughorn, plus plenty of fire, spells and destruction during the Battle of Hogwarts. One tidbit even shows Voldemort and Harry in a struggle to reach the Elder Wand lying on the ground, while other shots show their climactic showdown.

What do you think of the newest (and last!) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 trailer? We think it’s simply stunning! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 hits theaters on July 15.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 trailer: