Fan Fest News

News for Fans, By Fans!

Christmas in ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ Looks Like Pure Magic at Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’re looking for the most festive way to celebrate a happy Harry Potter holiday, Universal Studios Hollywood has got the perfect treat for you!

This year, for the holidays, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a very special light show spectacular which will completely transform Hogwarts Castle into a truly magical sight to see.  The breathtaking animated light show will be synced to musical scores from the Harry Potter movies but that’s not all that’s in store for holiday visitors.  Hogsmeade Village will also be decked out with festively decorated storefronts and will include a variety of holiday-themed treats served at the Three Broomsticks including the magic and muggle folks most favorite, hot butterbeer!

What would a Hogwarts holiday celebration be without the student choir? Of course they will be there also, with their singing/croaking frogs in tow.  The choir (and frogs) will perform holiday songs throughout the season for some very lucky fans.  Check out the gallery of photos below:

Senior Director, Entertainment Production at Universal Studios Hollywood Stephen Siercks and his team of creative directors, technicians and designers spent a total of 18 months developing and implementing the new feature which also includes brand new music with the help of John Williams himself!  Siercks told Parade.com:

“Hogwarts Castle is used as a projection surface that not only allows us to display content on the castle but use the castle as an actual resource and be able to start peeling layers back to show what is happening inside and continue the storytelling.  We were able to work with John Williams on a lot of the music selection.  We were able to, again, work with the London Symphony Orchestra and record a session at Abbey Road Studios in London.”

The Harry Potter films have become a staple for many around the holidays and that’s exactly what made finding inspiration for the new feature so easy for Siercks and his team.  He added:

“The stories of Harry Potter have richness in the holiday season so it is very easy to go through and select aspects of it that made sense to bring to life here at Universal Studios Hollywood.”

The new features are truly pure magic!  Check out a sneak preview below!  Would you like to spend the holidays at Hogwarts?  Let us know what you think in the comment section below!

 

Related Articles:

Check out the Epic ‘Harry Potter’ Escape Room in Manchester’s Lucardo

Every ‘Harry Potter’ Movie Will Soon Be Available to Stream on HBO

What Hogwarts Will Look Like This Christmas

WATCH: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Magnificently Magical ‘Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle’