There’s nothing more magical than Christmas at Hogwarts inside of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando!
Most likely, if you’re reading this, you’re a fan of the Harry Potter films or books.
So I know that one of the best memories you have of the franchise is experiencing Hogwarts at Christmas through our favorite characters.
Nothing beats the special moment when Harry wakes up and walks into the Gryffindor common room and seeing Ron waiting for him to come open presents with him on Christmas morning.
Knowing that for the first time, Harry will wake up to presents in the very year he discovers that he is so much more that what his aunt and uncle have made him seem truly is such a heartwarming moment.
Universal Orlando manages to bring some of those magical and whimsical feelings to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Christmas.
This makes it extra special to visit during November to the end of December.
Today, I will be going over everything for the holiday season that you can experience at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.
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Visiting Hogwarts for Christmas at at Glance:
- You can enjoy all of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Holiday festivities daily from mid-November until December 31st, 2024!
- While visiting Diagon Alley, be sure to watch Celestina Warbeck and The Banshees performing their latest holiday tunes
- When you’re in Hogsmeade, make sure you listen to the Frog Choir as they give you their best Christmas songs near the Hogwarts Castle
- Explore all of the magical holiday decor that are sure to lift your spirits this season in Harry Potter World.
- Get a photo in front of the Hogwarts Castle (located in Hogsmeade) and in front of the dragon on top of Gringotts Bank (located in Diagon Alley)
- Take the Hogwarts Express from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade (be sure that you have a 1-day, 2-park ticket to be able to do this)
- Upgrade your day with Universal’s Holiday Tour
Keep reading to get a full guide on how to conquer this Universal Orlando holiday event like a pro!
Entertainment for Christmas at Wizarding World of Harry Potter
I am sure you are rushing to do very specific things like:
- Getting your first butterbeer or first wand
- Making sure to see the Hogwarts Castle
- Racing to be one of the first to ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Taking a class on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Sometimes, it is good to take a moment (or two) to really immerse yourself within Harry Potter World for Christmas!
This is where I find that the shows really are underrated because most guests just happen upon it!
While there are about 2-3 regular shows, there are holiday overlays on all of them during the holiday season!
Christmas with Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees
Harry Potter book readers will be very familiar with Celestina Warbeck and how she is Molly Weasley’s all-time favorite singing sorceress!
While you don’t see her in the films, you can actually catch her performances in Diagon Alley at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Celestina Warbeck can usually be heard on the Wizarding Wireless Network but here you can catch a live performance and see the gorgeous starlet crooning with her background singers, The Banshees.
Holiday Songs Celestina Warbeck Sings during Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
You can catch her normally belting out tunes like the classic, “A Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love” but during the holiday season, she will be switching it up with some festive flair.
You will be entertained with:
- Accio Christmas
- My Baby Gave Me a Hippogriff for Christmas
- Nothing Like a Holiday Spell and more!
This is a great show and sometimes there is audience participation!
Hogwarts Frog Choir
Over at Hogsmeade, you can expect a different kind of crooning from the Hogwarts Frog Choir.
Nearby Hogwarts Castle, you can find a quartet of Hogwarts students, one from each house singing proudly.
They are always accompanied by their frog companions who help them with their acapella tunes.
Holiday Songs from the Frog Choir in Harry Potter World
For the holidays, they switch it up similarly to Celestina and croak out some holiday classics like “Christmas at Hogwarts” and “The Most Magical Yule Ball of All.”
The Frog Choir is always a quirky and delightful treat to catch while getting butterbeer or waiting for a loved one to get off a ride nearby.
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The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle
During the holiday season at Universal Orlando Resort, their normal nighttime projection and light show get a holiday upgrade.
When is the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle?
Between from November 17th through December 31, 2023 when the sun sets for the day, you can gather around Hogwarts Castle and truly experience the magic of Christmas, literally and figuratively.
The show takes place every 20 minutes at 5:30 p.m. to park closing and runs about 10 minutes total.
What to expect from The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle
You’ll be treated to a longer rendition of the original show with adorable Christmas decorations projected onto the side of Hogwarts Castle.
Plus, you’ll see students magically crafting snowmen, ghosts singing carols, a recreation of the yule ball and even feel immersed in snowfall all on the castle!
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Harry Potter World Christmas Food Offerings
There are plenty of limited time holiday offerings in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that you can try! The popular one for families during this time is the “Holiday Feast.”
This can be found at the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks.
Holiday Feast in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (2024 Details Pending)
It is a traditional British Christmas dish platter that can easily serve four guests and is two courses.
First Course
The first course consists of a Winter Harvest Salad appetizer drizzled with mustard ale vinaigrette.
Second Course
Following up for the second course is a Gravy Covered Oven Roasted Turkey served with English sausages, mushroom and sage stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce and brown butter and walnut Brussel sprouts.
Cost of the Holiday Feast in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Just be weary that while the price is around $65, that’s about $20 per guests that you would have paid separately anyway, and the portion size is worth the cost (2024 details pending).
Please also note that additional servings will be $15.99 per person.
More Holiday Food in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Visitors of the Leaky Cauldron can try a Warm Butternut Squash Soup that I can attest is absolutely delicious and will keep you cozy (2023 details pending).
And you can certainly get Hot Butterbeer, which is very popular during the holiday season.
For dessert, don’t miss out on the Sweet Christmas Pudding topped with a citrus glaze and hot brandy butter! It’s absolutely incredible!
Christmas Shopping in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Shopping for the best Harry Potter souvenirs and gifts is so much fun in the Wizarding World.
The decorations will match what will be up currently for the holidays on various shops and stores throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Be sure to look closely at the details as they portray representations of what makes every shop and store unique!
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My Final Thoughts on Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World is modest in its holiday celebrations but as they say, the devil is in the details.
This is why I recommend slowing down as you explore Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
You will come across hidden alleyways decorated to the brim with festive decorations and so will the shops!
Have you celebrated the Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter this year? Share your memories in our Facebook Group!
About the Author
Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.
She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.
She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home. You can find her at Disney Tea with V.
(Original Article Date: December 2, 2022/Updated by Editor on November 3, 2023)