Events Roundup: See the “Puffs” Play, Attend a “Harry Potter” Marathon, and Head to Comic Con
Summer is out, but don’t fret! There are still so many wonderful and magical things to entertain you through the cooler months! Check out the Puffs play in Indianapolis, an escape room that could only be for Harry Potter lovers, and so much more! So grab your butterbeer, robe, and wand – these are some events you won’t want to miss.
“Puffs” Heads to Indianapolis, Indiana
A production of Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, is making its way to Indianapolis, Indiana, this December and will continue through January 4, 2020. Puffs is the story of the students who are not part of the usual craziness of said Certain School of Magic and Magic but who are merely trying to survive the school year. The District Theatre will feature the show on its main stage every Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday night at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are already on sale for all show dates.
Wales Comic Con: Telford Takeover
On December 7 and 8, Wales Comic Con: Telford Takeover will see a variety of actors on its panels, many of whom are recognized from the Harry Potter universe. David Bradley (who plays Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films) will appear with David Tennant (who plays Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and Alex Kingston (who plays River Song in Doctor Who). Bradley made an appearance as the First Doctor in Peter Capaldi’s last episode as the Twelfth Doctor in 2017. Several other actors will make an appearance at Comic Con, such as Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington in Stranger Things), Michael Rooker (Yondu Udonta in Guardians of the Galaxy Volumes 1 and 2) and so many more! Tickets are on sale now.
Wizard’s Brunch and Dinner Is Coming to Calgary
Have you ever wished you could enjoy a feast fit for wizards? Well, wish no more! Calgary will host a Wizard’s Brunch and Dinner in December this year. Exact dates and locations have not been released yet, but be sure to keep an eye out for the ticket release on the event website. Attendees will be provided with a three-course meal for brunch and dinner, butterbeer (duh!), live entertainment, and magical games. Bring your best robes because guests are encouraged to dress in their wizard best for the most immersive experience. Several other cities are bringing Wizard’s Brunch to fans, including Melbourne, Australia; Houston, Texas; Liverpool, England; and Auckland, New Zealand. Dates and ticket prices vary with each location, so be sure to check the website for specifics.
https://www.facebook.com/thewizardsbrunch/videos/2092114084398566/
Comic Con Liverpool 2020
Comic Con Liverpool is ready for you! The event, going on from March 6 to 8, 2020, has two confirmed actors from the Harry Potter films and a dedicated area for fans of the wizarding world. Josh Herdman (Gregory Goyle) and Stanislav Ianevski (Victor Krum) are scheduled to be at the convention for all three days. The dedicated wizarding area, called For the Love of Fantasy: Witchcraft & Wizard School, will feature potion classes, props from the film’s sets (like Hagrid’s hut and the Weasley’s flying car), and cast members. Tickets are on sale through the Comic Con Liverpool website or over the phone.
Harry Potter Escape Room in San Diego and Los Angeles, California
Since escape rooms are all the rage this summer, it would only make sense there would be one solely for Harry Potter enthusiasts! The Exit Game: School of Sorcery has two locations in Southern California, one in San Diego and one in Los Angeles. Fans have the perfect opportunity to test their magical skills. This escape room has some unique puzzles for attendees to resolve. Only the finest witches and wizards can make it out, seeing as there is a solve rate of 38%. The immersive experience is perfect for friends, family, and even corporate events! As long as you have a group of three or more, head to Southern California for some enchanting fun! Schedules and prices are available through the Exit Game’s website.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpItwi7Aw8W/
Dave & Buster’s to Host Fundraising Event in Cleveland
A Dave & Buster’s branch in Cleveland is teaming up with A Special Wish, Brodie’s Good Vibe Tribe, and The Festival That Must Not be Named for a fundraiser! Part of the proceeds from the event will go back to A Special Wish, which grants wishes to children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The rest of the funds will go to Brodie’s Good Vibe Tribe, an organization that raises awareness about organ donation and transplantation while bringing support to the families that are impacted. Dave & Buster’s will host the event on October 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. Fundraiser activities will include a Sorting Hat station, a butterbeer station, and live snowy owls! Entry tickets are on sale for $10 per guest. With each entry sale, guests will receive a meal ticket and a goody bag with wizarding treats!
Adventures in the Forbidden Forest
Who’s ready for a full day of fun in the Forbidden Forest? We are! The Young Pathfinders Camp in Lount, England, is a day camp designed to get kids outdoors and away from their electronics for a while. This year, the camp has introduced the newest addition to their agenda: Adventures in The Forbidden Forest! Kids from the ages of 5 to 14 will have seven hours of Harry Potter adventures at Wizard Training School Bogwarts. Kids will start the day by being sorted into their Houses, attend potions class, create fire charms, and lastly, fight off Dementors on the archery range. If potions or charms class isn’t for you, then Quidditch is available for campers in the afternoon, after Muggle lunch. The next day for Adventures in The Forbidden Forest is October 16, so grab your spot soon! Tickets are £25 per child per day.
Wizards Express on the Severn Valley Railway
If you prefer train travel to other modes of transport, then the Severn Valley Railway is worth checking out. The Severn Valley Railway is a tourist train that hosts day trips throughout the year, many of which are themed for your entertainment. Its Harry Potter–themed Wizard Express is the perfect activity for witches, wizards, and Muggles alike to experience a magical train ride, Hogwarts Express–style! The tour route starts in Bridgnorth, England, or Kidderminster, England, and tickets can be booked for either location. The Wizard Express runs from October 26 to October 29, so grab your tickets soon! Ticket prices start at £30 per person for a trip. Once onboard, guests can enjoy treats from the train trolley, entertainment, games, and wizarding world foods. Tickets, departure times, and stop information can be found on the Severn Valley Railway website.
Westival
If your October calendar isn’t already filled to the brim with Dave & Buster’s fundraising, romping around the Forbidden Forest, and traveling through the English country via train, then here’s another one for you! Formerly known as the Westport Music and Arts Festival, Westival in Ireland is scheduled for October 23 to October 28. With 62 events booked through the week, there’s something for everyone! Westival has also promised a special treat for attending Harry Potter fans: Behind the Scenes at the Harry Potter Movies. Headliners for the festival include musician Paul Noonan of Bell X1; Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, an eight-piece brass band; and the dance duo Le Boom. Ticket prices, performance dates, and a full list of musical guests, exhibitions, workshops, and more are available on the Westival website.
Harry Potter Takeover and Movie Marathon in Norfolk, Virginia
Movie marathons are fun, but Harry Potter movie marathons are incredible! For three days, November 15 to November 17, Naro Cinema and 99forthe1 are hosting a movie marathon of all eight Harry Potter movies, a brunch, and a takeover party. The films will play over all three days, with the brunch (for adults over the age of 21) on day three, and the party (for adults over the age of 21) on day two. Event proceeds will go toward helping 99forthe1 in its efforts in providing showers, shaves, haircuts, hygienic products, and clothes to those in need. Tickets for the movies start at $10, and entrance fees to the brunch and party are each $75.
https://www.facebook.com/99forthe1/videos/2469047590092283/?t=62
Enjoy a Night at Hogwarts to Support the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society has announced its plans for this year’s “A Night at Hogwarts.” This all-ages fundraiser will be hosted on November 23 at the Urban Abbey in Thunder Bay, Canada. Funds from the events will go to help cancer research programs. Games and Harry Potter–oriented festivities will be provided by the hosts, and attendees can play with their House-mates throughout the night. Be ready for some family-friendly fun because the activities of the night will include a competition for the House Cup! Harry Potter–themed food and custom cocktails will be sponsored and provided by Redhead and the Chef. Ticket sales are limited and will be available for purchase beginning September 27 at 1093 Barton St., Thunder Bay. Guests are encouraged to get their tickets as quickly as possible since the event is expected to sell out.
Dinner at Hogwarts to Be Hosted in Ukiah Valley, California
We hope you have your dancing shoes because the Ukiah Valley Library in Ukiah, California, is hosting its second annual Dinner at Hogwarts event! On September 28 at the Barra Tasting Room, visitors can enjoy perusing through Ollivanders Wand Shop, Madam Malkin’s Robe Shop, and Honeydukes. Dancing, crafts, and games are to be expected, and guests are encouraged to dress in their best wizard attire. There will even be a silent auction, so come with your pockets packed with Galleons! Items up for bid include donations from local vendors and companies. Proceeds from the night will go to benefiting the Ukiah Valley Library’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program for youth, which encourages students to pursue academic careers in specialized fields. Tickets for the dinner are $60, and general admission for the rest of the event is $15.
Boozin’ Through the World of Wizardry in Harford, Connecticut
What do you get when you add a love for Harry Potter to adults who also love a night out on the town? Easy – a wizard-themed bar crawl! Boozin’ Through the World of Wizardy Bar Crawl in Harford, Connecticut, will begin its night in downtown Harford at the Federal Cafe on 84 Union Place on September 28. The night will continue as you “crawl” through a list of preselected venues. Registration for the event will be made available at the Rocking Horse Saloon at 181 Ann Uccello Street (3:00 to 4:30 p.m.) and The Press at 187 Allyn Street (4:30 to 5:00 p.m.). Tickets are also available online starting at $24.99. Discounts will be provided for groups of four or more in a single purchase.
Harry Potter and the Night Sky Planetarium Show
The Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse, New York, is putting on a Harry Potter show! Well, a display of the stars, constellations, and celestial beings that inspired some of J. K. Rowling’s writing throughout the Harry Potter series. The show is hosted in the museum’s planetarium every Saturday and Sunday afternoon starting on September 28. Information about tickets and times can be found on the museum website or its Facebook page. Admission is free for members, but for those who don’t hold a membership, tickets are $3 plus the museum entrance fee.
Blount County Public Library Creates a Giant Wizards’ Board Game
When life-sized wizarding chess meets Clue, odds are, it’s bound to be entertaining. During this year’s “Banned Books Week,” a campaign created by the American Library Association that’s devoted to the anti-censorship of books, the Blount County Public Library in Blount County, Tennessee, is featuring a library-wide board game inspired by one of the most banned books around the world, Harry Potter. The game will take place on September 28 as a finale to the “Banned Books Week.” Entire rooms around the library will be transformed into recognizable areas found at Hogwarts, such as the Potions classroom, the Astronomy Tower, and the Room of Requirement. Players will have to solve a series of mysteries to win the game and become graduates of Hogwarts! If you fail, however, Dumbledore will send you off to Azkaban. There is no ticket purchase required, and information for the time and place of the game can be found on the Blount County Public Library website.
Hogwarts Harvest Festival
Get your pumpkin juice ready because it’s harvest time! The eighth annual Hogwarts Harvest Festival in South Jerome, Idaho, will be held on October 12 and is hosted by the Jerome Farmers Market. There will be trick-or-treating and costume contests available for children, Quidditch tryouts, fortunes with Professor Trelawney, and a silent auction. Don’t forget about the pumpkin patch, of course!
St Giles Parish Church to Host Harry Potter Hogwarts Extravaganza
On October 25, the Harry Potter Hogwarts Extravaganza will be held at St Giles Parish Church for one night only! You’ll feel like you’re really in Hogwarts with the church’s beautiful Gothic architecture. Guests will enjoy a butterbeer on arrival, be sorted into their Houses, and enjoy a Hogwarts-style meal in the main hall of the church. The hosts will also feature the third film of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Unfortunately, the event hosts revealed the event has already been sold out.
