Events Roundup: Celebrate Halloween with Wizard Week at Watercress Line and More
Enjoy a spooktacularly magical Halloween this October with a range of Harry Potter–inspired events taking place throughout the month.
Wizard World in Wisconsin
Throughout October at Moran’s Pub in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you’ll discover a pop-up event called Wizard World as an homage to the Harry Potter series. The pop-up was proposed and designed by local artist Lauren Marvell, who created all the ornaments and objects using things she found in thrift stores.
The “Harry Potter” pop-up at Moran’s Pub features magical decorations. (Credit: Dee Von Drasek)
Potter-inspired games will take place throughout the month, including a scavenger hunt, a dice game, and more on October 15; beer pong on October 22; Halloween crafts on October 27; and a costume party on October 29.
There will also be several special drinks available for the pop-up, including “Irish Butterbeer,” “Love Potion”, and “Dementor.”
Harry Potter Halloween Display in California
Eerie Elegance in San Jose, California, has announced its biggest Halloween event ever, described as “a Harry Potter-themed display that showcases an elaborate re-creation of Diagon Alley(TM). The immersive home display will allow guests to sample butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron, cast interactive spells outside nine Diagon Alley shops, sit beneath an animatronic Sorting Hat, discover Hagrid and his magical beasts within the Friendly Forest, and brave the shadows of Knockturn Alley.”
The spectacle will feature “interactive shop window displays where visitors can cast spells that cause feathers to float, chests to open, fires to light, and various other special effects.”
Glen, principal engineer at Eerie Elegance, discussed the inspiration behind it.
We really enjoyed the Interactive Wand experience at the Universal theme parks, and it inspired us to try something similar in our display at home. There’s a lot of technical wizardry behind the scenes, but we hope the result will be a fun, magical experience for everyone.
There is no charge for attending the Eerie Elegance display, but visitors are encouraged to contribute to the Halloween fundraiser for Give Kids the World, a resort where “critically ill children and their families are treated to week-long, cost-free dream vacations.”
The display runs from October 20 to 31, and doors to the Leaky Cauldron are open from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
Hogwarts Castle Re-Creation in France
Le Rocher Portail, a château in Brittany, France, is the perfect place for Potter fans to visit this Halloween. The owner, Manuel Roussel, has transformed his property, adding a magical dimension to the 17th-century building by transforming it into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from October 22 to November 5.
Two packages are on offer, featuring different activities and experiences. The afternoon experience costs €28.57 and includes a tour of the Great Hall and the École Rocher Portail (this includes magical scenes with actors and special effects), five stations with backdrops for selfie stops, a wand and broom workshop, shows with six actors (in which the school’s professors give you lessons), professional photography, and a gift shop.
The evening experience costs €99.80 and includes a meal in the Banquet Hall with the professors, who will provide entertainment (including immersive acting and special effects); a tour of the École Rocher Portail (also including acting and special effects); five stations with backdrops for selfie stops; a wand and broom workshop; shows with six actors (in which the school’s professors give you lessons); professional photography; and a closing ceremony.
Tickets for the experience can be booked online.
Wizard Week at Watercress Line in Hampshire
From October 24 to 30 at Watercress Line in Hampshire, England, visitors will be able to walk over the railway footbridge where Harry Potter received his Hogwarts Express ticket.
Kids are dressed up for Wizard Week at Watercress Line.
During the October half term, the heritage railway will host the steam train, flying lessons, wand-making sessions, and Halloween fancy dress competitions.
The Wizard Express steam train will be open to ride, with passengers able to hop on and off at the stations in Alresford, Ropley, Medstead and Four Marks and Alton and pick up sweet treats and refreshments along the way.
More information and ticket bookings can be found online.
Night at the Museum: The Wizarding World of Lego Harry Potter in Ontario
Explore the wizarding world in LEGO at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, this Halloween. Head there on October 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to experience the huge LEGO collection on loan from the Brickspace – Twin Soo Bricks, which features sets based on the Harry Potter films and a motorized Hogwarts Express.
Spin the LEGO Sorting Hat set to be Sorted into your Hogwarts House, purchase a locally made Chocolate Frog, have your picture turned into an Azkaban wanted poster, and dress up in your best Harry Potter costume for the chance to win LEGO and Potter prizes. Trick-or-treating will be available on the front steps from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission to the event is by donation to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.
If you’re hosting an upcoming magical event, you can submit it to be included in a future Events Roundup by sending all relevant information to submissions@staff.mugglenet.com.
