Galen NgFrom delicious maple syrup to their incredibly peace-loving locals, Canada is everybody’s favourite! It is generally quiet and mellow if you’re outside the Toronto and Montreal bustle, but come October, watch the magic unfold as the quaint Ontario town of Goderich transforms into an awesome three-day festival with Harry Potter & The Transfigured Town!
From 13 to 15 October this year, muggles (non-fans) and potterhead (die-hard H.P. fans) alike will be flocking to J.K. Rowling’s fantastical world of witchcraft and wizardry. This event exists independently from the author and its Universal Studio counterparts, but promises an experience so authentic you’d think you’re actually living in the world of your favourite books.
Unfortunately for those of us who missed it, this spectacular wizarding bonanza had all its tickets voraciously snapped up within mere hours of their release this year. It was almost Coldplay concert level of frenzy! But fret not as this festival is scheduled to come back again in 2018. Read on to find out what all the buzz is about and get your wallets ready once next year’s fast-selling cookies go on sale.
Image credit: Troy Jarrell
Enter the gates of Goderich Town’s magical menagerie via portkey and be greeted by your favourite Potter attractions! At the centre of it all lies the famous Diagon Alley. You can stroll through this colourful street to take in all its magical sights and sounds.
Complete with actual shops for you to browse through in magical madness, you can hardly trump the transfigured town. This mock up will have you excitedly running up and down and through every open door to find all sorts of wonders.
Image credit: Pop Culture Geek (left); Sean O’Shaughnessy (right)
Remember, you can’t really say you’ve been somewhere till you’ve tasted some of its food. So one highlight not to be missed are the many confectionaries along Diagon Alley. Gulp down some refreshing Hogsmeade Butterbeer or treat your sweet tooth to Honeydukes Candy Trolley.
Image credit: Fabian
All aboard the Hogwarts Express at platform 9 and ¾, the iconic mode of transportation into Hogwarts’ hallowed halls. There’s no need to go all the way to King’s Cross in London; Goderich has you covered! With its Hogwarts Express interactive display, rush with excitement through the “alpine countryside” to be sorted into Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses.
There’s even a spell tutoring class! Train to become the strongest witch or wizard with the most powerful spells like Expelliarmus. But if you choose the dark side, then learn to cast deadly spells like Avada Kedavra.
Take home all your new skills whilst your friends remain Harry Potter newbies.
Image credit: Daniel Breitenbach
The biggest highlight, however, is on the Quidditch fields. With official Quidditch matches (who knew), you can spectate a proper match of this fan-favourite sport for the coveted Goderich’s Cup. Don’t worry because novices can also try their hand playing in the little leagues with the Marauder’s Cup.
Image credit: Fabian
You can even bring a piece of Hogwarts back home to show off to all of your friends. Their many gift shops are stacked with exciting memorabilia. With whole shelves of pointy hats, wands, spell books and other goodies, the Transfigured Town is surely nerd haven.
No more wrapping the tail-end of your chopstick with rubber band for your simulated wand! You can purchase Elder Wands and more so intricately designed that even Ollivander, the great wand maker, would be impressed.
There are even face-painting opportunities and scavenger hunts to make sure there’s wholesome fun-in-the-sun for almost everyone in the family.
Details:
2017’s Harry Potter & The Transfigured Town
Date: 13 Oct 2017, 5pm to 15 Oct 2017 6pm PDT
Venue: The Square, Goderich, ON N7A1M2, Canada
Ticket Prices: CA$15–CA$23
So if you’re as excited as we are, be sure to read all about it online when Harry Potter & The Transfigured Town opens this October. It’s always a good time to relive your childhood fantasies. Also, get your wallets ready because tickets for next year’s curtain call will open then as well. And you know they’ll sell out fast.
Edit: The original title suggested that a Harry Potter “theme park” is coming to Canada but this has been rectified to “festival” since the event is a temporary one.
