Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of the biggest holidays within the Harry Potter books and movies. Voldemort’s first fall happened on Halloween, a troll was let into the dungeons by Professor Quirrell, , the Chamber of Secrets first opened on Halloween, Sirius Black’s first appearance within Hogwarts was also on Halloween…you get the gist. In a community of wizards and witches, Halloween is a big deal.

Pottermore took some of the most dynamic Halloween moments from the books, and made a Buzzfeed-esque list of their six favorite Harry Potter Halloweens. The list includes much of what was mentioned above.

Pottermore is also currently attending the Dark Arts exhibition being put on by Warner Bros.’ Leavesden Studio Tour. They will be making regular updates of their experience on Twitter. Pictures of the Studio Tour decorated for Halloween are sure to be included.

The Dark Arts exhibition has been running since earlier this month, from October 16, going through November 1. Leavesden outlined the exhibition on their website, saying:

For two weeks only, you’ll be able to try your duelling techniques against a Death Eater after learning wand combat moves in an interactive experience with Paul Harris. Paul developed the battle scenes involving You-Know-Who’s henchmen in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and is the world’s only wand combat choreographer.

During production, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s followers – the Death Eaters – each wore a unique mask, handmade by the Prop Making Department, and were clothed in embroidered black robes. You can see their headquarters, Malfoy Manor, at the Studio Tour and the drawing room set comes complete with a 20-foot model of Voldemort’s snake Nagini and floating mannequin of Muggle Studies teacher Charity Burbage (who was captured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1).

We’re also offering you the chance to:

• Spot Death Eaters in the shadows of Diagon Alley as the lights are dimmed and the music becomes more foreboding

• Admire artefacts from Borgin and Burkes, the sinister antique shop from Knockturn Alley, including the Vanishing Cabinet (which offers the Death Eaters a secret entrance to Hogwarts) and the Hand of Glory (a gnarled item that gives light only to the holder)

• Step onto our latest addition, Platform 9 ¾, and see a carriage of the Hogwarts Express dressed as it was in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Dementors board the school train

• See the iconic Great Hall set dressed for the occasion with a section of its long tables laden with red apples, pumpkins and cauldrons of lollipop

If you had the chance to go on the tour at this time, and see the exhibition, please share your experience with us in the comments! Happy Halloween everyone!