16 Magical Ideas for a Harry Potter Themed Party
Meabh McCrossan
Contributor
If you’re still waiting for your Hogwarts acceptance letter to arrive, your dream event plans may include visions of floating candles, moving staircases, and talking paintings. When planning a Harry Potter themed party, there are so many ways you can add a bit of magic to your celebrations.
A much-loved movie and book franchise, the story of The Boy Who Lived has inspired countless party hosts to add whimsy to their special events. A Harry Potter-themed soirée is the perfect way to celebrate a 30th birthday, a whimsical bridal shower, or an unforgettable wedding day.
Incorporate some of these Harry Potter party ideas, and your guests will feel as though they’ve been transported to the wizarding world on the Hogwarts express.
Here’s everything you might need for a Harry Potter themed party:
Harry Potter Themed Party Entertainment
Magicians
You and your loved ones are sure to believe in magic after being wowed by a professional close-up magician. They may not have attended Professor Flitwick’s Charm Class, but their skill will surely leave a lasting impression.
A magician or illusionist will make a great addition to your event, providing stellar entertainment for guests both young and old. Allow them to share their skills and decide whether or not they would pass their OWL exams!
Ballroom Dancers
Like all students and staff of Hogwarts, you might be expecting an invite to the Yule Ball. A traditional or contemporary ballroom dancing performance would provide both you and your party guests one-of-a-kind entertainment.
Dust off your dancing shoes and learn a routine or two with the help of a dance instructor during your gathering. Many studios offer on-site lessons for wedding receptions and special events, allowing party-goers to twirl and whirl with the help of a professional.
Cocktail Making Classes
Only the most studious wizards and witches can whip up a potent potion at a moment’s notice. If you want to come top of Professor Snape’s Potions class, you can book a cocktail-making lesson to learn how to create whimsical concoctions.
Seek out a bartending company that will gladly create a customized menu for you and offer themed drinks based on your favorite spells, potions, magical beasts, and more.
Harry Potter Themed Party Venues
Outdoor Forest
Scenes of idyllic rural countryside feature again and again throughout all eight movies, with many heartwarming scenes and memorable moments taking place in a serene forest setting. A magical outdoor wooded venue allows the beauty of nature to take center stage at your event and will look stunning during both the day and night. Decorate using delicate market lights, candles, and your house colors for a fully immersive experience.
Barn
One of the best things about barn venues is that they are incredibly versatile and offer expansive, open-plan spaces. With the right decor, you can recreate the Hogwarts dining hall for your guests, allowing them to step right into the book.
Imagine rows of grand hand-made farm tables, taper candles, and eye-catching stone fireplaces. A vaulted or cathedral ceiling is reminiscent of the Great Hall itself, and exposed beams can be used to hang props from clear wire for a magical floating effect. The possibilities are truly endless.
Library
We may not be the all-knowing Sorting Hat, but if you’re drawn to the aesthetic of the grand library of Hogwarts, you might be a Ravenclaw. Surrounded by vintage books, warm ambient lighting, and vibrant paintings, Hermione Granger herself would feel right at home. As a particularly romantic setting, a library may be perfect for a rehearsal dinner or an intimate reception to celebrate a couple of newlywed Potterheads.
Harry Potter Themed Creative Details
Hogwarts House Colors
Whether you’re a proud member of the house of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw, there are so many ways to incorporate your house colors in your party decorations. Something as simple as a luxurious table runner can be customized to suit your preferred color scheme.
If you’re looking for a subtle nod to your house crest, why not incorporate the iconic hues in floral arrangements? Vibrant red roses can be paired with dainty golden ribbons for Griffyndors, while a color scheme of green vines and black flowers would appeal to Slytherins.
Deathly Hallows Arch
If your cause for celebration is a wedding, all eyes will be on your ceremony arch as you exchange vows. While minimalist triangle arches are all the rage right now, why not customize this trend even further to create the symbol of the Deathly Hallows? Your photos will look as though they came straight from a movie scene with this eye-catching nod to your shared love of witchcraft and wizardry.
For other events, you can use the Deathly Hallows symbol creatively throughout decor. Opt for a party game where guests spot the hidden symbols.
Floating Candles
While we muggles may lack the necessary skills to place lit candles in mid-air, there are some great ideas and alternatives if this aesthetic is one you’d like to achieve. Many online retailers sell flameless, battery powered candles that can be suspended using clear nylon thread. This DIY Harry Potter decor idea is a safe way to recreate those stunning Dining Hall scenes.
Table Numbers
When it comes to signage at your event, there are countless ways to incorporate your love for literature. If you're having a sit-down meal, you can make your own table number signs by framing old pages from the beginning of each chapter of your favorite Harry Potter book. This is another small detail that will be sure to impress your guests.
Costumes
Who says dress-up is just for kids’ parties? Encourage your guests to come as their favorite characters from the films and give a prize to the best-dressed witch or wizard! Cloaks, wands, and Hogwarts house themed colors are a must—don't forget your glasses. You can get creative with it, or simply just guzzle down a Polyjuice Potion, but maybe that’s technically cheating?
Harry Potter Themed Food Ideas
Golden Snitch Candies
These Golden Snitch desserts are eye-catching, simple, and easy to make. You can use golden Ferrero Rocher chocolates or make your treats from scratch. These delicious sweets can be made at home or by a professional bakery if requested and will look picture-perfect on your dessert table.
Harry Potter Cupcakes
There are many iconic images from both the books and the movie franchise that can easily be added to delicious sugar cookies or decorated cupcakes. A pair of round glasses, Harry’s lightning bolt scar, or the symbol of the Deathly Hallows can be added to any number of dessert table offerings. Party planners can easily find these designs in the form of edible cake toppers, and many online companies can even create fully customized versions.
Chocolate Frogs and Every Flavour Beans
Honeyduke’s Express stocked a wide variety of mystical snacks, from Fizzing Whizzbees to Chocolate Frogs to Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. Lucky for us muggles, recreations of these delicacies are widely available, both online and from specialty candy stores. You’ll feel as though it’s your first day of term all over again.
Harry Potter Themed Drink Ideas
Butterbeer
In the books, Butterbeer was described as a sweet and sugary drink made from butterscotch, sugar, and water. Event hosts could try their hand at making a version true to the original recipe or add some ingredients to transform it into a delicious and creative mixed drink.
Potion Inspired Cocktails
Put a new spin on your favorite cocktails and mocktails by adding some magic to your menu. A Polyjuice Potion might come with a comedic warning that those who consume may not ‘feel like themselves’. Use Firewhiskey to toast to your favorite Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher.
To give your drinks table a spooky look, use ornate glasses and vintage trays. Add some dry ice to make it look like your drinks came straight from a witch's cauldron.
Find more themed party ideas here on The Bash.
