Events Roundup: “Harry Potter” Around the World
There are some incredible Harry Potter–themed events happening this month all across the globe, in the United States, Australia, England, and even Brazil! If you’re lucky enough to be near any of these, you may be able to attend a huge Potter–themed party, meet a quidditch team, learn about movie special effects, or even participate in an interactive theater show in the Great Hall. Most of these events are adults only, so feel free to grab a butterbeer or firewhisky and enjoy!
Party Like You’re at the Yule Ball
If you’re anywhere near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this is a party you won’t want to miss! This event, hosted by the Wizard Express, is only for those 18 and older and takes place on June 1, at Lapa’s Teatro Odisséia. The theater will be completely decked out in Hogwarts-style decorations and will even have a store selling themed products. There will be plenty of magical activities to partake in, including a World Cup, a Sorting Hat, and a Platform 9 3/4 photo area. Along with Welcome to Hogwarts kits, there will also be other Potter-themed giveaways and a variety of wizarding treats and drinks offered. Guests can enjoy everything from Chocolate Frogs, butterbeer, and themed cocktails to shots directly out of the Goblet of Fire. Along with the wizarding activities, two DJs will entertain throughout the night. It may not be the Weird Sisters, but it sounds almost as fun as the Yule Ball.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance and will cost R$20–25 (~US$5–7). There will be tickets available at the door for R$30–40 (~US$8–11). The cheaper tickets are reserved for guests who come in costume! The party starts at 11:00 p.m. and lasts until 5:00 a.m.
Learn Quidditch at a Baton Rouge Brewery
Major league quidditch team New Orleans Curse will be at Tin Roof Brewing Co. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on June 3 for some Harry Potter–themed activities! The team will host a quidditch demonstration outside the brewery, and then you’ll have the opportunity to try the sport for yourself. All ages can attend the event outside, but you have to be 21 or older to enjoy the craft brews. You can find more details about the event here.
Makeup Masterclass with Harry Potter Artist Shaune Harrison
If you’re interested in the magic behind the incredible character transformations that occurred behind the scenes of the Harry Potter movies, this next event is a great opportunity to see how it’s done. A class with special effects and prosthetic makeup artist Shaune Harrison is taking place at Accrington and Rossendale College. Harrison worked on Harry Potter, and other popular films, creating the prosthetic makeup for some iconic characters, including Lord Voldemort and Mad-Eye Moody. At the class, attendees can watch a demonstration, try some of the makeup techniques themselves, and ask Harrison questions about his work.
The event takes place on June 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Accrington and Rossendale College in Lancashire, England. Tickets cost £25 (~US$33) and include a buffet lunch in the college’s Roots Restaurant. For more details and to buy your tickets, click here.
Experience Magical Effects at an Interactive Dinner Theater Show
An extraordinary event unlike any other is heading to Perth, Australia. Wizards Fantastic Feast is much more than a show; it is a fully immersive theater experience. Adult witches and wizards who missed out on their Hogwarts letter will finally have a chance to experience the magical school for themselves in this interactive show.
For the event, Christ Church in Claremont was impressively converted to resemble the Great Hall, floating candles and all! The director of special effects team Edgyx, Stephen Doran, says the church is the perfect site for the event.
It’s amazing how much like Hogwarts the church looks – even the lectern that the priest uses is a big eagle… We’re able to create a full floating candle ceiling in there, right across the church. We’re not just putting a few candles up here and there to tick the box… It really is pretty close to what you would see in the movie.
The event includes a three-course banquet meal, two free drinks, and a two-and-a-half-hour show. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend Divination, Potions, and Alchemy classes. While highly based on Harry Potter, the show has its own unique storyline revolving around four professors at the school. The impressive theater set includes special effects such as holographs, pyrotechnics, and animatronics.
For this show, the audience is highly encouraged to participate in the performance. Guests become part of the story and can affect the direction of the performance, so the experience is different every time. Students are encouraged to wear their robes in order to be fully prepared for all of the magic they will encounter!
Shows are for adults only and take place on Friday and Saturday nights in June at 7:30 p.m., starting on June 15. The only exception is the June 30 show, which starts at 12:30 p.m. and will be a family matinee, allowing children ages seven and older.
This unique experience is on the pricier side, but sounds like it’ll be worth it! Tickets cost A$144.55 (~US$109) and can be purchased here.
