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VIDEO: ‘Harry Potter’ castle projection show debuts at Universal Orlando Christmas as holiday magic comes alive in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley

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Posted on by Ricky Brigante 4 Comments
Hogwarts Castle lights up the night with vibrant colors and sweeping green beams, capturing the enchanting holiday spirit of Hogsmeade during Universal Orlando’s Christmas festivities.

For the first time at Universal Orlando, the holidays have come to the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lights up with new magic.

Christmas decorations, garlands, and lights line the streets of the Harry Potter-themed areas of both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. While the Wizarding World’s wintery scenery is beautiful year-round, it truly shines like never before with the festive additions.

Easily the highlight of each evening is the holiday transformation of Hogwarts castle by way of a new projection mapping show called “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts.” In the show, the castle illuminates via twinkling lanterns and the glow of fairies, along with plenty of antics from Hogwarts students, including the Weasleys adding a bit of humor to the entirely beautiful show.

WATCH: ‘THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS AT HOGWARTS’ PROJECTION SHOW AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

There’s a wonderful subtlety to this new show, offering an authentic feel to the digital holiday overlay. None of the dazzling visuals or over-the-top antics are done without reason. They all make perfect sense, as if onlookers are truly standing in Hogsmeade watching it magically transform before their eyes.

Backlighting, spotlights, twinkling multi-colored lights in the trees, and a bit of pyrotechnics all serve to enhance the projection show in the best possible ways. It’s vibrant, engaging, and entirely mesmerizing – a perfect addition for the Christmas season.

It’s also wonderfully photogenic:

Hogwarts Castle towers over Universal Orlando’s Hogsmeade, brilliantly illuminated against the night sky, with festive glowing lamps lining the walkways and capturing all the magic of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando lights up the night during the Hogsmeade Christmas celebration, with vibrant beams and dazzling colors illuminating the iconic wizarding landmark, immersing fans in the enchanting world of Harry Potter.

Brilliant fireworks light up the night sky above Hogwarts Castle, as dazzling Harry Potter-themed projections transform the iconic Universal Orlando landmark into a magical winter wonderland, capturing all the festive excitement of Christmas in Hogsmeade.

Hogwarts Castle glowing against the night sky, illuminated by stunning beams of light during Universal Orlando’s dazzling Harry Potter Christmas festivities.

Hogwarts Castle illuminated with vibrant holiday lights and dramatic yellow beams slicing through the night sky, capturing the magic of Universal Orlando’s Christmas celebrations in Hogsmeade.

Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando transforms at night with dazzling holiday projections and dramatic spotlights beaming into the sky, creating a magical celebration in Hogsmeade inspired by the famed Harry Potter Christmas spectacular.

Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando dazzles after dark, illuminated by vibrant projections and sweeping beams that light up the night sky. The magical display transforms the iconic wizarding landmark and surrounding Hogsmeade with a festive holiday glow, creating an unforgettable Christmas spectacle for Harry Potter fans.

Hogwarts Castle aglow in vibrant blue lights and laser beams at night, evoking the enchanting spirit of Hogsmeade during Universal Orlando’s Christmas celebration.

Hogwarts Castle lights up the night with vibrant colors and sweeping green beams, capturing the enchanting holiday spirit of Hogsmeade during Universal Orlando’s Christmas festivities.

Hogwarts Castle illuminated in dazzling blue and white lights during the Universal Orlando Christmas Harry Potter projection show, casting a spellbinding, wintry glow over the Wizarding World reminiscent of festive nights in Hogsmeade.

Throughout Hogsmeade Village, holiday lights and garland adorn each shop and restaurant, brightening the snow-capped buildings with some holiday cheer. It’s not a huge addition to the area, but just enough to call it Christmas.

WATCH – HOGSMEADE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS TOUR: 

Likewise, over in London and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, more white lights and garland – along with a few Christmas trees – have popped up to overlay the area with an appropriately festive look.

WATCH – DIAGON ALLEY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS TOUR:

Coupling the projection show with the new holiday performances from the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, there has never been a better reason to visit (or revisit) the Wizarding World than now.

In addition to the new excitement in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Macy’s Holiday Parade has transformed into Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, an all-new and much-improved version of the classic street parade. Plus, the Grinch is back at Islands of Adventure with the ever-popular Grinchmas celebration. And Mannheim Steamroller returns to Universal Studios Florida with a series of nighttime concerts.

The holiday season at Universal Orlando officially kicks off Saturday, November 18 and continues through January 6, 2018.

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