Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration – REVIEW

Calling all witches, wizards, muggles and those in between to step into the magical world of Harry Potter and experience the Yule Ball.

While it’s not as great as getting your letter to Hogwarts (I’m still waiting for mine…) this a good enough replacement. For those who aren’t Potterheads, the Yule Ball is a nod to the event that occurs in the fourth book and movie. The one where Emma Watson wears that gorgeous pink dress that I wish I had in my closet.

This is the first time that the Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration has made its way to Sydney, and it saw success in Milan, Montreal, Houston and Mexico City. The dress code calls for fancy dress or wearing your best Hogwarts robes/cosplaying from the films.

As you enter Paddington Town Hall, you’re immediately greeted by the beautiful decorations that made me feel like it was Christmas—minus the songs and festivities. But it’s upstairs where the real magic is happening (pun intended).

Entering the hall, you’re transported to the Great Hall in Hogwarts with the gorgeous decorations, the floating candles above your head and the plethora of photo op spots for your Instagram.

Six wonderful and talented hosts guide you through the two hours, from performing the Champion’s Waltz to getting you to cheer for your own house. And it was adorable to see the Hufflepuff House Head teaching two little girls dressed up in Gryffindor robes some dance moves and even twirling around with them.

As this was a family-friendly event, I recommend parents take their kids who enjoy the franchise to it as it will forever be a cherished memory for them.

And the hosts had excellent banter between them, with some major sass thrown at the Gryffindor House Head by the other three that had me cackling. The rivalry between the houses was real and authentic.

The spell-binding night ends with the crowning of four champions pulled from the Goblet of Fire and some snow falling down onto the hall.

A merchandise store is set up in one corner where you can purchase your own Hogwarts robes for your house, a selection of wands, t-shirts and other little knick-knacks.

There were two bars that served a mixture of delicious and colourful cocktails named after the Hogwarts founders. Or if you prefer no alcohol, there were mocktail versions of these drinks. Of course, there was the iconic butter beer, and it was a delicious butterscotch concoction.

And while the event itself was great and I felt I had been spirited away to Hogwarts; you need to bring a large amount of money with you — $30-$50 at minimum. The robes, wands and other merchandise cost a lot, along with food and drinks behind a paywall.

If you got the Deluxe ticket, you get a drink and gift bag voucher but if you didn’t…save up some money.

As a die-hard fan of the franchise, I found the Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration as enchanting and magical as I had ever hoped it would be.

Until August 20

Paddington Town Hall, 395 Oxford St, Paddington

harrypotteryuleballcelebration.com/sydney/