What’s better than visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour and getting to peek behind-the-scenes of all the spectacular sets? Visiting the Studio Tour during one of its enchanting events of course! Not only can you immerse yourself into the world of Harry Potter and see the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express, Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse and more, you’ll also be able to experience special features, see brand-new sets and get hands on with some exciting spellcasting!
From walking through a snow-covered Diagon Alley to experiencing Hogwarts as an innocent first-year, here’s what’s on at the Studio Tour this year.
Magical Mischief - 21st January to 18th April 2023
Filmmaking trickery, magical pranks and wizarding mishaps are plenty during the Magical Mischief event. Learn how your favourite mischievous moments were brought to the screen, make your own origami howler and even be amongst the first to see a brand-new set, Harry’s bedroom, during the scene where Harry meets mischievous house elf Dobby in the Chamber of Secrets!
We can’t mention pranks without giving a shout out to the Master’s of Mischief themselves: the Weasley Twins! Fittingly born on April Fools Day, Fred and George Weasley were notorious pranksters known for their rule-breaking and hilarious jokes. Take your first steps into the Great Hall and you’ll instantly recognise that it’s dressed up for their prank on Dolores Umbridge during the peaceful O.W.L.s exam, complete with the swinging pendulum and the twins on their brooms!
Discovering Hogwarts - 2nd May to 4th September
Brand-new for 2023, Discovering Hogwarts will celebrate the studio's 11th anniversary with an invitation to Hogwarts, just like any other coming-of-age witch or wizard! Immerse yourself into life as a first-year Hogwarts student by witnessing the Great Hall just as little 11-year old Harry Potter would have back in 1991. This special feature, which hasn’t been seen since filming, will see the enchanted ceiling adorned with over 400 floating candles, transforming it into a golden sea of light and enveloping the Great Hall in a soft, cosy glow!
Plus, discover the secrets behind one of Harry’s first experiences of magic; Professor Flitwick’s Charms and see how practical techniques, instead of CGI, were used to bring spells like Wingardium Leviosa to life. You’ll even be able to try this spell out for yourself, just swish and flick!
Dark Arts - 15th September to 5th November
Appropriately taking place during the spooky season, get ready to witness the iconic sets eerily dressed up for the occasion. Experience Halloween as a Hogwarts student as you step into the Great Hall decked out with over 100 pumpkins floating above a fiendish feast! Bertie Bott’s Every Flavoured Bean anyone?
Don’t forget to look out for the sinister Dark Mark, the symbol of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, as you weave your way through the dimly lit sets, including the terrifying Forbidden Forest. Muggles beware, you may even see a Death Eater or two as they carry out a menacing procession through the studio, showcasing the authentic costumes and props from the films! But fear not, all budding witches and wizards can practise their hand at some wand combat moves with Paul Harris, the wand choreographer from two of the films, and hastily prepare themselves for any nasty tricks from the Dark Lord’s followers.
Hogwarts in the Snow - 11th November to 14th January
This beloved feature is returning for 2023 and promises a festive treat for all! Witness fan-favourite sets decorated in all their festive finery, including the Great Hall with its magnificent Christmas trees, sumptuous feast and gorgeous Yule Ball ice sculpture. What’s more, get yourself into the Christmas spirit as you see the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and the magnificent Hogwarts castle model all decorated with a blanket of filmmaking snow. And it wouldn’t be a Wizarding World Christmas without getting your hands on one of Mrs Wealey’s knitted jumpers!
Experience the Magic with National Holidays
Ready to book your next Harry Potter adventure? We have coach breaks to the Harry Potter Studio Tour departing all year round and all extra features are included in the price. So whether you’re a fan of the books or the movies, are a Potterhead or a Muggle, this experience is sure to leave you spellbound!