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8 Things You Have To Do During Christmas in the Wizarding World

Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this holiday season.

Nov 26, 2018

Hogwarts is home and there’s nothing like it during "Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at the Universal Studios Resort in Hollywood. Muggles, witches and wizards alike can delight in so many festive offerings this holiday season.

Hogsmeade village and Hogwarts come to life in new and exciting ways to delight in with your family and friends when you visit during wintertime at Universal. There’s so much to do and see while there--from treats to try, rides to fly into the Wizarding World, and magic around every corner. Some magic may even come from you!

Kidzworld has your essential itinerary of things you have to do when you go!

1. Show your Hogwarts house pride and find the best photo spots!

Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff? Whatever your house, you have to go dressed to the 9 ¾’s! Strolling around Hogsmeade village makes you feel like you’re in the world of the Harry Potter movies. There are so many great photo spots to show your house pride at. From secret corridors, magical storefronts, and of course the perfect Instagram shot of the castle--there are so many memories to capture and share.

See the castle illuminated by Christmas magic!See the castle illuminated by Christmas magic!Courtesy of Kidzworld

2. Get candy at Honeyduke’s Sweets and Zonko’s Joke Shop

Most of the candy from the books and movies exist here! You can find Chocolate Covered Frogs with their collectible wizard trading cards inside, if you’re adventurous try the exotic flavors of Bertie Botts Every-Flavor Beans, and even find liquid luck with a small bottle of Felix Felicis.

Are you feeling lucky or is it the Felix Felicis talking?Are you feeling lucky or is it the Felix Felicis talking?Courtesy of Kidzworld

3. Ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Walk the grounds of Hogwarts castle in the queue while you wait to meet up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione for a great adventure. You can walk past the portraits of past historical figures of the wizarding community, Professor Sprout’s potted mandrakes, see your greatest desire in the Mirror of Erised and try to crack the password to the Gryffindor common room with the Fat Lady (good luck!). Once on the ride, you’ll experience a thrilling journey through Hogwarts where you’ll meet friends from the Harry Potter universe and come face to face with some of it’s most dangerous figures.

Ron, Harry and Hermione invite you on a Forbidden JourneyRon, Harry and Hermione invite you on a Forbidden JourneyCourtesy of Kidzworld

4. Get a wand and cast spells

Be sure to get paired with a wand at Ollivander’s, their wand experts can help you find the perfect match. They have all kinds and even the wands of some of our fave witches and wizards from the Harry Potter universe. Some wands even come with the ability to cast spells throughout Hogsmeade. Specially marked areas signal where you can cast spells and create amazing magic for everyone to see!

Cast spells throughout HogsmeadeCast spells throughout HogsmeadeCourtesy of Kidzworld

5. Get hot Butterbeer and dinner at the Three Broomsticks.

No trip to Hogsmeade is complete without a filling meal at the Three Broomsticks. They have fish and chips, shepherds pie and seasonal food offerings to have a proper meal that Molly Weasley would be proud of. They also offer Butterbeer in all its incarnations including hot butterbeer which is perfect for the winter months to sip on while making your visit. It’s a like a hot cocoa but butterbeer instead of chocolate!

Sit and watch the lights on Hogwarts with hot butterbeerSit and watch the lights on Hogwarts with hot butterbeerCourtesy of Kidzworld

6. Get caught in the snow

Somewhere Ron Weasley tried to make wine out of vinegar and made snow instead again! For the first year ever, expect snow in the Wizarding world to make it feel more like the amazing Christmas holidays at Hogwarts. All over Hogsmeade, you can walk through light snow storms while music from the movies swells around you. It’s breathtaking and beautiful!

Walk in a wizarding winter wonderlandWalk in a wizarding winter wonderlandCourtesy of Kidzworld

7. Watch the lights on the castle

John William’s music scores a celebration of light projections on Hogwarts Castle. Hear highlights of his compositions like Hedwig’s theme over a colorful spectacle that illuminates a place that so many consider home and reminds us of the wonder we love about the Wizarding World. Be sure to line up early for these shows to make sure you get a good spot to watch!

See the castle in all its fantastical splendor!See the castle in all its fantastical splendor!Courtesy of Kidzworld

8. Bring the magic home

New house robes, the best wands, furry owl friends, home decor and Hogwarts holiday items are just some of the coolest things you can find at the Wizarding World. We loved the house Christmas stockings and ornaments. We also found the newest wands from the Crimes of Grindelwald which include the gorgeous one used by Leta Lestrange in the latest film that’s out in theaters now!

Hang your house stockings with careHang your house stockings with careCourtesy of Kidzworld

Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter runs until January 6th, 2019! 

Share your thoughts below!

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Do you want to visit Hogwarts during Christmastime? Let us know in the comments below!