Houdini 100 statue concept

David Merlini has shared a concept for the statue and fountain to be erected in Budapest as part of the Houdini 100 celebrations. I love it!

Related:

• Celebrate Houdini's 100th in Budapest
• New historical marker coming to Houdini Plaza
• When did Houdini and his mother go to Budapest?

Celebrate Houdini's 100th in Budapest

A major 3-day celebration honoring Houdini will be held October 29-31, 2026, in Houdini's birthplace of Budapest, Hungary. Our good friend David Merlini of The House of Houdini is one of the event organizers. He revealed the details at a press conference yesterday (Houdini's birthday). The following coverage is from Hungary Today:

The “Houdini 100” commemorative series of events has begun, featuring a film festival, a circus production, a statue unveiling, and a quiz show for visitors in 2026.

The Houdini House in Budapest, in collaboration with the Hungarian Hollywood Council, Origo Film Studio, the Budapest Hungarian Circus, and Eötvös 10, is preparing numerous events to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini, said David Merlini, founder of the Houdini Museum in Budapest, at a press conference held Tuesday in Budapest.

He added that they are organizing numerous programs for this commemorative year. Their plans include the unveiling of a statue of Houdini, the installation of a memorial at Origo Film Studio, a production at the Budapest Grand Circus, as well as a film competition targeting young people and a film festival with the help of the Hungarian Hollywood Council.

He emphasized that they hope to create a fitting tribute to Harry Houdini, who was not merely an escape artist but someone who redefined the limits of human capability. He noted that a century has passed since Houdini took his final bow before an audience in 1926.

The “Houdini 100” program series is not only a commemoration of a historical figure, but a commitment to preserving a legacy that belongs to all of us, he emphasized.

Balázs Bokor, president of the Hungarian Hollywood Council, announced that the film festival will be held between October 30–31 under the title “Houdini 100 – Magic.” They are accepting submissions from young people and students up to 25 years of age, who can create their films—up to 15 minutes long and on the theme of magic—using a smartphone or any simpler device.

The festival will open at Eötvös 10 on October 30, with screenings simultaneously taking place at the Budapest Grand Circus. The awards ceremony will be held on October 31 following the grand gala performance on the ring of the Budapest Grand Circus, he added.

Visit the official website Houdini100.org for more details.

Related:

• Hungary issues an official Houdini stamp
• The marvelous Hungarian magician turns 152
• The House of Houdini opens today in Budapest

The 2026 Houdini Centennial Bookshelf 📚

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Houdini's death. This year will also see a record number of new Houdini books (including my own). So I thought I'd keep a running tally of books, and update this post with each new release. Here is what we have so far:

📘 Houdini & Me 2026 by Trudy Monti

Released at the end of 2025, this is Trudy Monti's latest magic journal and the second devoted to Houdini. Chronicle your days throughout this centennial year alongside select Houdini trivia. Amazon

📗 Kinema Comic 1922 (Jul-Dec) The Amazing Exploits of HOUDINI by Joe Notaro and Arthur Moses

The latest volume from Joe Notaro and Arthur Moses collecting Houdini's "Amazing Exploits" stories from the British Kinema Comic. Some of these tales are a real hoot, and the illustrations are dynamic. Amazon

📙 I Want to be Like HOUDINI! by Kent Cummins

Magician Kent Cummins tells his own life story alongside tales of the Handcuff King. A short but enjoyable magical memoir. Amazon, LikeHoudini.com.

📕 Houdini’s Library by Barb Rosenstock

The story of how Houdini was shaped by his love of books. A very well-done book for kids illustrated by Mar Delmar. And how about that dedication? You can read the author's own story of how this book was made HERE. Amazon, Bookshop.

MORE TO COME...

Margery and Me (novel) by Maryka Biaggio (April 21)

Exposing Houdini by Charles Greene III (May)

A Strenuous Career by Bruce Averbook M.D. and David Haversat (May 12)

Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice by Larrian Gillespie M.D. (July 1)

Houdini's Library by Eric Colleary (August 18)

Houdini Unlocked by Brian J. Robb (October 22)

Houdini Revealed by William V. Rauscher (Fall 2026)

The Murder of Harry Houdini: A Novel by Sara Herchenroether (December 1)

Handcuff King: The Conquests of Harry Houdini, 1900-1909 by John Cox (TBD)

If you have a Houdini book coming out this year, let me know!

Houdini & Me 2026 by Trudy Monti

Our friend Trudy Monti has released a new Houdini datebook, Houdini & Me 2026: 100th Anniversary Edition. Below are details.

Unlock the mysteries of one of history's most fascinating figures with this one-of-a-kind journal that documents over 425 milestones from Harry Houdini's incredible life. This book offers a window into the mind of a master escape artist. Interspersed with these historic events, you will find space for your own reflections, allowing your personal journey for posterity with that of Harry Houdini. Fill the pages of this journal with your own adventures and make it your own personal saga. This isn't just Houdini's story it's Houdini's and yours.

I have Trudy's 2025 book. I keep it with my other Houdini books as a collectible. But this one I'm actually going to use to journal this memorable year. I think that will make it an even better collectible!

You can buy Houdini & Me 2026 on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. If you'd like a signed copy, you can contact Trudy on Facebook.

Related:

• Houdini & Me 2025 by Trudy Monti
• Trudy Monti's new edition of The Zanetti Mystery

Welcome to the Harry Houdini Centenary year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, and welcome to another year of WILD ABOUT HARRY. Of course, 2026 is no ordinary year. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Houdini's death on Halloween in 1926. As such, there will be various Houdini celebrations, several new books, a major new documentary, and more that's yet to be announced. If you were around in 1976 and experienced the 50th anniversary, you're about to experience it all over again. But even more so!

I'm super excited that this will be the year I launch my new e-store and publishing arm, Wild About Harry PRESS, where I will soon be offering the first volume of The Ultimate Houdini Chronology. My commitment to this new enterprise may result in fewer posts here on WAH, but I won't let anything major slip past.

So strap in for what promises to be one WILD year!