Calling all Potterheads! The Magical World of Wizardry happened in Fayetteville, NC in November 2018. Find out what you missed here.
For other events in the area, check out all of our Fayetteville posts.
Harry Potter always reminds me of my cousin Stevie. She’s the first Potterhead I knew. Unfortunately, she lives in New York and the Magical World of Wizardary is in Fayetteville, NC next weekend.
It’s a little far for her to travel, except it is my birthday weekend, so maybe she should come down and surprise me.
She’s missing out, but you don’t have to. The two-day event (which isn’t associated in any way with JK Rowling, the Harry Potter franchise, or Warner Brothers — nor Drugstore Divas, for that matter) runs from 5 pm to 8 pm on November 16 (coincidentally the release date of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) and 11 am to 6 pm on November 17, 2018.
So, what’s she missing? Find out below.
Are you a Potterhead that’s sad you missed the event? We feel bad for you. But, we also know you’ll love all the gift ideas on our list of The Best 20 Gifts For Harry Potter Fans, so maybe one of those will cheer you up.
Everything You Need To Know About The “Magical World of Wizardry” in Fayetteville, NC
Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may make a small commission if you use them.
When and where is it?
It’s November 16 and 17, 2018, from 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday and 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday in Downtown Fayetteville, NC.
You’re asked to start at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum (325 Franklin St). You’ll pick up everything you need for a Horcrux Hunt.
What’s the Horcrux Hunt?
Okay. If you’re not a Harry Potter fan, this might sound confusing. So bear with me.
Voldemort is the Dark Lord. He has followers, called Death Eaters. He and the Death Eaters want to run the World and get rid of the Muggles (the non-magic people), so Voldemort started The First Great Wizarding War.
There was a prophecy that there would be a baby born that would be able to take Voldemort down, and that baby was Harry Potter.
Voldemort used a spell to kill Harry Potter’s parents. Harry Potter’s mom’s love saved Harry, and the spell bounced off him and killed Voldemort. The spell did leave Harry with the lightning bold shaped scar on his head, though.
So Voldemort died but his soul survived because he made Horcruxes. A Horcrux is when you rip out a piece of your soul and put it in an object, so if anything happens, you can use those pieces to come back.
Voldemort made six Horcruxes. At least, so everyone thought. But, it was eventually figured out that he accidentally made Harry a Horcrux when he tried to kill him.
Harry had to find and destroy all the Horcruxes to assure he could kill Voldemort.
Got all that?
So Fayetteville’s Horcrux Hunt is a little less complicated because there are only four pieces of Voldemort’s soul to hunt for. The Hunt continues until the closing ceremonies on Saturday.
What’s happening on Friday?
Friday features a jelly bean tasting.
Jelly beans?
So, non-Potterheads will say jelly beans. Fans know they’re Bertie Blotts Every Flavor Beans. They come in normal flavors, but there are also ones like dirt, boogers, earwax, and vomit.
So, good luck with that.
I’m sticking with pre-birthday cake as my sweet of choice.
What vomit-free things are happening Friday?
There will be live readings, folks in costumes, and a kid’s parade. Sounds like a great reason to re-dress as one of the students.
What about Saturday?
Put your walking shoes on for Saturday because you can walk through the Forbidden Forest (on Anderson Street).
The what forest?
The Forbidden Forest is just outside the forest outside of Hogwarts (the school). It’s forbidden to the students because it’s dangerous.
This one on Anderson Street should (hopefully) be less dangerous.
Anything with less danger?
Yes, of course.
You can create wands and participate in a Sorting Hat Ceremony at the Arts Council (301 Hay St), which is acting as Hogwarts in Fayetteville.
What’s the Sorting Hat Ceremony?
On your first night at Hogwarts, all students get sorted into houses: Gryfindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Each student goes up, one at a time, and the sorting hat is place on their heads. Based on what the Sorting Hat sees in the brain, and their best attributes, the Sorting Hat places you into a house.
Ravenclaws are smart, Slytherians are evil, Gryffindors are brave, and Hufflepuffs are loyal.
My cousin Stevie told me she is a Hufflepuff. I asked her who I wanna be, and she said that depends on which qualities about yourself you value most.
That’s a lot of pressure to decide.
Sounds like a good reason to trust the Sorting Hat, instead of your own gut.
What else?
You can decorate cookies (although, that’s one of the attractions that will require a registration fee).
Earwax cookies?
No. I’m pretty sure these are not crazy flavors (but I’m still sticking with birthday cake. Red velvet, if you’re wondering).
How about for the adults?
Adults can indulge in Butterbeer tasting and can attend a “Potion’s Class” at The Wine Cafe (108 Hay Street) for a fee.
I like my beer without butter.
And probably your scotch too, but butterbeer tastes like less-sickly butterscotch in the series. It is slightly alcoholic and the kids in the series do drink it, but when you’re worried about killing someone’s soul, find Horcruxes, and all that, people turn a blind eye to a little alcohol.
When does it end?
At 5 pm, guests are asked to gather at the Market House (at Hay, Gillespie, Person & Green Streets) for closing ceremonies. All award winners will be announced at that time.
What winners?
You know what? I don’t know. But my cousin Stevie should win something for giving me this much Harry Potter background — and all but one of these amazing photos — so this post could be pretty thorough.
Where To Stay In Fayetteville:
If you’re planning a trip to Fayetteville for this event, and you’re planning on going both days, you’ll need a hotel.
There are a ton of hotels in the area, so you have a lot of options. Check out a few of them and search for availability below:
- Baymont by Wyndham
- Comfort Inn Fayetteville
- Courtyard by Marriott
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Embassy Suites Fayetteville/Fort Bragg
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
- Home2 Suites by Hilton
- Ramada Plaza by Wyndham
- Residence Inn by Marriott
- Wingate by Wyndham
Restaurants in Fayetteville:
If you’re staying in Fayetteville overnight so you can attend both days of the event, these restaurants are great options for your meals.
Things to do in Fayetteville:
If you’re staying in the area, you need things to do. Check out our long list of Things To Do In Fayetteville, NC.
And, if you spent all your money at the event, check out our 10 Free Things To Do In Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Did you attend the “Magical World of Wizardry” in Fayetteville, NC? Let us know how it was in the comments.