the book shop

harry potter book night

 

Harry Potter Book Night has been happening every year since 2014…

Every February, Harry Potter fans congregate together to celebrate the iconic series. After all, the series is famed for reinvigorating the 90s generations love of books in general – a tradition that is still continuing 20 years later for a new readership. Harry Potter Book Night has been an annual celebration for 9 years now, founded by UK Harry Potter publishers Bloomsbury in 2014. And ever since, more and more fans all over the world are getting involved. Every year has a new theme

The Wizarding World is so rich and bountiful that every year, Harry Potter Book Night celebrates a different part of it. While UK publishers Bloomsbury may have got the ball rolling, all sorts of Harry Potter Book Nights are taking place across the globe. Across Europe, into Russia, all the way to the US.

The Book Shop has been taking part since 2019.

2019 – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The children arrived dressed in their robes and listened to the chapter of when Harry arrives at Hogwarts for the first time. The children were then sorted into one of the 4 houses by our REAL Sorting hat. Each team, under the watchful eye of their House captain, then completed a series of games and quizzes against each other while McGonagall kept score. These included counting Dobby’s socks hidden round the shop, the best team chant and a superfan quiz. The house with the most points won the House Cup

2020 – The Tri-Wizard Tournament

The children arrived dressed in their Harry Potter outfits and listened to the chapter of the start of the Tri-Wizard tournament. The children were then sorted into one of the 4 teams by our REAL Sorting hat. Viktor – Durmstrang, Harry – Hogwarts, Cedric – Hogwarts and Fleur – Beaux-Batons. Each team, under the watchful eye of their team captain, then completed a series of games and quizzes against each other while McGonagall kept score. These included the hunt for the golden eggs, word search and a quick-fire quiz. The team with the most points won the House Cup.

2021 – Diagon Alley 

This years theme was Dragon Alley and with a number of neighbouring businesses we turned our High street into Diagon Alley . The Wine Bank became Gringotts Bank, Rowans became Madam Malkins, Lee Fruit and Veg became the Weasleys Joke shop, The Royal British Legion became the Hogs Head pub, The Tea Party became Florean Fortescues ice cream parlour and The Book Shop turned into Flourish and Blotts. In addition Churchers, Strawberry Workshop, Just Lucy and Just Lucy allowed us to dress their windows.

Instead of four teams of six children, we had six teams of four children. Each child was sorted into their House/Team leader and the games began. The children were taken to one of six shops in the High Street, helped across the road by Hagrid, and accompanied by their team leader at all times. In each shop they played a game and earned points for their team. Once complete they moved onto the next shop and rotated until every game had been played. Games included Butter Beer pong, Dobby’s sock game and guess-timating the gold in Gringotts bank (the Wine Bank) .
There were bonus points to earn on the way and teams also had to pass through Nocturn Alley. The team with the most points won the house cup
2022 – Magical Journeys
The official Harry Potter Book Night was held on Thursday 3rd February and we had the activity tables out and discounts on Harry Potter book bundles and merchandise.
Our MAIN ticketed Harry Potter event happened on June 23rd, when the weather had improved and we could play the games outside. Again we were lucky to have a number of local businesses take part including The Wine Bank as Gringotts, Lee Fruit and Veg as Honeydukes, The Tea Party as Florean Fortesques ice cream parlour and The Book Shop was manned by none other than Gilderoy Lockheart himself. Hagrid once again helped the children across the road. Games included Butter Beer Pong at the Hogs Head (The Royal British Legion Club) Dobby’s Sock Game, Umbridges Windy Knickers and the Gumball game.
2023 – We celebrated Harry Potter Day with activities and discounts and everyone dressed up!
2024 –  Care of Magical Creatures 
The official Harry Book Night moved from February to Autumn and we celebrated on Wednesday 30th October 2024.
We had so much fun. Everyone dressed up and joined us for an amazing night in The Book Shop. All the students were sorted into one of the 4 houses where they took part in games and activities as a group, to earning points to win the House Cup. The grand finale was the Harry Potter quiz before scores were totted up and the winning house announced. It was Slytherin !
Children went home with a Harry Potter goodie bag. Ages 7-12 years old.
2025 – TBC