Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter has announced the return of its annual festive feature Hogwarts in the Snow. The cobbles of Diagon Alley will be covered in snow for the first time ever in 2020.
Hogwarts in the Snow runs from November 14 to January 17, 2021. New for 2020, the cobbled stones and magical shop fronts of Diagon Alley will be given a festive makeover.
Diagon Alley will be draped in layers of filmmaking ‘snow’. Various types of ‘snow’ were used during filming, whether it crunched under foot, floated like falling flakes or glistened in the light.
These techniques will be used by filmmakers to cover Diagon Alley this year, even though the magical shopping street was never seen in the snow.
Diagon Alley will feature layers of filmmaking snow
The model of Hogwarts Castle will also be transformed with a dusting of snow. During filming, a member of the crew used an elevated work platform to sprinkle a mixture of granulated paper and salt onto the castle by hand with a sieve.
At the Great Hall, visitors will be welcomed by wreaths, garlands and trees decorated with witches on miniature broomsticks.
The long dining tables will be dressed as they were for the seasonal feast in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, including SFX flaming puddings and props of roast meat.
In addition, the Gryffindor Common Room and Boys’ Dormitory will be decorated with the original props including handmade Christmas cards. Some of these were created by cast members during production.
Christmas cards made by cast of Harry Potter
The Studio Tour’s fireplaces, including those in the Leaky Cauldron and Great Hall, will be lit with SFX fire, created by John Richardson and the SFX team using water vapour and lighting effects.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London and Platform 9 ¾ Shops recently launched the world’s first bottled Butterbeer, made and brewed in the UK.
Meanwhile, Toshimaen amusement park has ceased operations after 94 years, making way for Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter, opening in 2023.
