Annually, Chestnut Hill transforms into Hogsmeade for the Harry Potter Festival. Fans from all over travel by broom, car, train or floo powder to attend, filling Germantown Avenue with magic.
This year, due to the anticipated crowds of muggles and wizards, Rex to Willow Grove avenues on Germantown will be shut down to traffic on Saturday, Oct. 22.
This will be the first year festival-goers won't be confined to the sidewalks, instead, attendees can enjoy a ten-block street fair.
There will be Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, meet-and-greets with Harry Potter and the gang, Sorting Hat demonstrations, Horcrux Stations (uh oh), live owls and a Tri-Wizard maze.
Attendees can also expect Hogwarts-themed treats at various Chestnut Hill businesses. There will be Butterbeer, Sorting Hat cupcakes, Polyjuice potions and other magical bites.
The popular pub crawl (now sold out), quidditch tournament and conference will also take place during the weekend festival. The 7th Annual Philadelphia Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament will take place on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chestnut Hill College.
The pub crawl begins at 7 p.m. and will wind through eight neighborhood bars. Tickets includes a limited edition Harry Potter Festival T-shirt, discount specialty drinks, a coupon for one free street activity (caricaturist, photo booth, fortune teller or glitter tattoo) and a festival cup.
2016 Harry Potter Festival
Friday, October 21 through Saturday, October 22
Chestnut Hill, PA