As a parent, I’m always on the lookout for special outings to share with my teen—and our recent trip to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles turned out to be one that I am sure he will remember.
I had thought about seeing the show for a while, but between the cost of tickets, long runtime (just over 3 hours), and the logistics of getting through LA traffic for an evening performance, I kept hesitating. Then I realized they offer a Sunday matinee, which felt like a much better fit for our schedule and there is an opportunity for Rush Tickets (more on this below). We decided to make a day of it—heading to the theater 2 hours before the show, grabbing a snack nearby, and just enjoying the anticipation together. Once inside, we were blown away by not only the beauty of the historic theater, but also by the production. The staging, effects, and performances were incredibly engaging, even for my kids who can sometimes be a tough crowd. The magical elements were woven in seamlessly and kept everyone—myself included—completely immersed.
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The story continues the world of Harry Potter in a way that feels both familiar and new, with enough heart, humor, and excitement to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers. My kids were still talking about the magic and special effects days later. The show is 3 hours with a 20 minute intermission in the middle where you can buy candy and drinks, that can only be consumed in the lobby. There are plenty of cute photo opportunities in the lobby as well.
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As a quick tip for fellow parents: while regular ticket prices can add up, we found out about "rush" tickets for only $30 each sold at the box office 2 hours before showtime. It's a great option if you're flexible and want to try for excellent seats at a lower price—but honestly, the experience itself was worth every moment and effort, regardless of where you sit. We checked the ticket sales ahead of time and it was clear there were going to be leftover seats. My theory was, if we couldn't get tickets last minute, we would do another outing in LA that day - the Natural History Museum or the Zoo. We packed an extra pair of clothes and comfortable shoes, just in case!
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The show is recommended for ages 8+. There are a few scenes with dementors that are pretty creepy, a couple of the adults kiss and talk about having another baby, and there are some dramatic effects that are loud or fiery that could be frightening to young children. You’ll want to make sure your child is ready for a longer performance and can handle a few dramatic moments. That said, my 6 year old child had no trouble paying attention to the fast-paced scenes and was completely captivated the entire time, even if she didn't exactly understand the whole plot.
This isn’t a paid review—just a parent sharing a really wonderful day. If you’ve been considering the show, I highly recommend making it happen. The show will be playing through June 2025. It was a magical experience for all of us.
