Christmas in the Wizarding World

Harry Potter: Christmas in the Wizarding World was an amazing experience! If you have every been to Universal Studios Harry Potter World Hogsmeade, this is a very similar experience.

When you first walk in to Hogsmeade, you will be greeted by goblins and wizards. Not only is this world an experience of Harry Potter, but also of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. On the left is Olivanders’ where you can actually walk into the shop and see rows upon rows of wands!

This experience is truly magical and is great for families to come and explore together.

Welcome to the Wizarding World

Harry Potter: Christmas in the Wizarding World was an amazing experience! If you have every been to Universal Studios Harry Potter World Hogsmeade, this is a very similar experience. You can find this unique atmosphere at the South Town shopping mall in Sandy. It occurs yearly November to December. Mini Hogsmeade can be found on the main level of the mall, it is impossible to miss the unique archways covered in snow. Across from Hogsmeade is a photobooth where you and your family can take pictures in front of Hogwarts as a keepsake.

When you first walk in to Hogsmeade, you will be greeted by goblins and wizards. These employees are dressed up and even talk just like the characters from the books and movies. Not only is this world an experience of Harry Potter, but also of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. On the left is Olivanders’ where you can actually walk into the shop and see rows upon rows of wands! Over 10 types of wands are included such as: Dumbledore’s, Harry Potters’, Hermione Grangers’, Newt Schemanders’, Queenies’, Voldemorts’, and Draco Malfoys’ wands. Each wand comes with a special pamphlet showcasing how to cast spells. You can practice casting spells in Olivanders’ just like how Harry Potter chose his wand (or had the wand choose him) in the movies. The wand worker will help you find the wand of your dreams and tell you everything you need to know about wands.

Continuing past Olivanders’, little shops line the walls showcasing golden snitches, key chains, Harry Potter style puzzles and pamphlets, and Christmas cards. A mini clothes shop has several Harry Potter “house” scarves and shirts for purchasing. You can select an entire wardrobe of clothes suited to Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. Around the corner, a mini quidditch game and field is set up. You can compete up to three players playing with quidditch balls and shooting them through the hoops. You can actually feel the Quaffle, and shoot them through the hoops. This also provides an excellent photo opportunity to show friends and family!

There is also a mini owlery where families can purchase Headwigs and several other types of stuffed owls to deliver mail for them.

On the right of the entrance to Hogsmeade is HoneyDukes, the home of fantastic candies and weird flavors. Chocolate frogs line the shelves as well as Every Flavor Jelly Beans. Mini frogs jump around the windows and Every Flavor Jelly Beans sprinkle the window floors. Fancy jars containing orange sickles and candy canes line the ceiling of HoneyDukes. You can’t leave HoneyDukes without a one-of-a-kind treat for stopping by. In the center of Hogsmeade, a mini train station is in place to purchase a Hogwarts Express puzzle and necklaces. There are also containers with the “Marauders Map” to help you sneak around Hogsmeade undetected!

This experience is truly magical and is great for families to come and explore together. I highly recommend to anyone especially as it is free, and is a great mini version of the Universal Studios version of Hogsmeade!

Author and Adventurer Lindsey Strother