From Friday 23rd September to Sunday 6th November, fans stopping by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will be in for a fright, as the regular Dark Arts feature returns for a new year.
In the Great Hall set, over 100 floating pumpkins will decorate the scene, with each Jack-o-Lantern face individually carved by the talented Prop Making Department. You can also expect a traditional fare of red apples and cauldrons filled with lollipops to complete the spooky aesthetic.
New for the tour this year, you can discover the secrets of Professor Lupin’s Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons, learning the magic behind the Boggart-banishing charm Riddikulus, and even check out Neville’s grandmother’s iconic vulture hat, as modelled by Professor Snape in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, to the delight of us all.
But, as ever with Hallowe’en, alongside the treats there will always be tricks. Be wary as you walk through the Studio Tour’s sets, as Death Eaters will be present – ready to keep you on your toes with some menacing wand moves and dressed in the traditional dark robes and masks you’ll remember from the films. There’ll even be an opportunity to duel with the Death Eaters, using moves as choreographed by Paul Harris, who perfected the combat scenes during the Battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
You’ll also spot Lord Voldemort’s symbol projected throughout the Studio Tour for you to discover during your visit. Look out for the Dark Mark between the imposing trees of the Forbidden Forest or hidden within the turrets of the enchanting Hogwarts Castle model.
For those not afraid of a sticky situation, you’ll also get to observe some of the more disgusting elements of the wizarding world, as Studio Tour interactors will tell you the secrets behind the making of unicorn blood, troll snot and even the drool of Fluffy the three-headed dog.
And if all that isn’t enough for the most dedicated of Hallowe’en lovers, the Studio Tour will also be reigniting its “Hogwarts After Dark” events on the 5th, 6th and 7th of October, where guests will be invited to a delicious feast, canapes and special potion-esque cocktails to really get into the spooky mood. And a Dark Arts evening truly wouldn’t be complete without a jaunt through the Forbidden Forest set where you’ll bump into Aragog and Buckbeak along the way. But don’t get too comfortable, for the Death Eaters will also be stalking these special evenings too...
Check out the Studio Tour’s official website to learn more about this year’s festivities.