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VIDEO – Holidays come to Hogsmeade for Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood

in Entertainment, Harry Potter, Merchandise, Theme Parks, Universal Studios Hollywood

Posted on by Mike Celestino
Illuminated stone archway at night welcomes guests into the lively, holiday-themed village of Hogsmeade, aglow with festive lights and framed by iconic castle towers—capturing the magical spirit of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Wizarding World Christmas celebration.

It’s been over a year and a half since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Studios Hollywood, and the holiday season of 2018 has brought the area’s first major seasonal overlay. Festive lights, evergreen garland, and yuletide-themed food offerings all make Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter a must-see event in Los Angeles this winter.

During a preview of the experience Thursday night at Universal Studios Hollywood, the park’s new president Karen Irwin welcomed media to see, smell, hear, and taste everything Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has to offer. The event kicked off with a song as the a cappella Frog Choir took the stage to perform “Christmas at Hogwarts.”

WATCH FROG CHOIR PERFORM “CHRISTMAS AT HOGWARTS”:

What followed is the undisputed highlight of the season’s attractions, the all-new projection-mapped light show “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle,” which wowed even the most hardened of theme park journalists in attendance. The show does an amazing job– in crystal clear laser imagery– of wrapping Hogwarts in Christmastime colors and lively animation representing various scenes from the “Harry Potter” multimedia franchise.

WATCH “THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS AT HOGWARTS CASTLE”:

After the show, guests were encouraged to wander through the attractively-decorated Hogsmeade Village to admire the dressed-up storefronts and to partake in the Holiday Dinner (available at the Three Broomsticks restaurant) and of course the delicacy known at hot Butterbeer.

WATCH HOGSMEADE VILLAGE NIGHTTIME CHRISTMAS TOUR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoGXOSVC124

Overall, I’d say this holiday overlay makes perfect sense. It fits in theme with a specific time of year and a feeling represented in the “Harry Potter” books and movies, and it gives visiting locals and tourists a different flavor to steep themselves in upon stepping through the gates of Hogsmeade. It’s the perfect bit of seasonal accent added to an already-impressive theme park area, and fans of the Wizarding World won’t want to miss it.

Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter runs from Friday, November 24th through Sunday, January 7th at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. Be sure to visit the park’s official website for more information and for advance ticketing resources.

PHOTOS:

Hogwarts Castle illuminated in blue lights at night, with dramatic pointed towers and foreboding statues at the entrance, captures the magical ambiance of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. A festive Christmas tree glows between Hogwarts-uniformed mannequins inside Honeydukes at Universal Studios Hollywood, capturing the enchanting holiday magic of Hogsmeade for Harry Potter fans. Step into a Hogsmeade-inspired shop at Universal Studios Hollywood, where vintage wooden shelves brim with cozy knitwear and sparkling jewelry beneath whimsical holiday garlands, and fabric bolts line the upstairs—capturing the magical Christmas atmosphere fans love. Hogsmeade Village at Universal Studios Hollywood glows with festive holiday lights as snow blankets the rooftops of its iconic stone buildings, creating an enchanting nighttime scene straight out of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogsmeade at Universal Studios Hollywood illuminated with sparkling Christmas lights on a snowy night, guests strolling along festive streets lined with magically decorated shop windows, capturing the immersive holiday spirit of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogsmeade’s snow-capped rooftops twinkle with holiday lights under the night sky during Holidays in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. A magical chandelier adorned with twinkling lights and festive greenery glows overhead in a cozy, wood-beamed room, capturing the immersive Christmas spirit of Hogsmeade at Universal Studios Hollywood. Festive red ribbon, pine cones, and lush greenery adorn a wooden beam beneath a glowing lamp inside Hogsmeade at Universal Studios Hollywood, capturing the enchanting holiday spirit of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Guests enjoying a meal inside a Hogsmeade tavern at Universal Studios Hollywood, surrounded by medieval wooden beams, grand chandeliers, and balcony seating that immerses visitors in the magical world of Harry Potter. Hogsmeade at Universal Studios Hollywood glows with enchanting holiday spirit, as twinkling Christmas lights and garlands illuminate the alleyway at night. The festive atmosphere buzzes with guests exploring themed shops and attractions, capturing the magic of the Wizarding World during the holidays.

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