'Witches & Wizards:' Details On Chestnut Hill's New Festival

CHESTNUT HILL, PA – It was tough news when Warner Bros. issued cease and desist letters to various community Harry Potter festivals, ordering the events to stop using Harry Potter names, likenesses, and more or else face consequences.

But much like Dumbledore's phoenix Fawkes, Chestnut Hill's Harry Potter festival is rising from its ashes as the "Witches & Wizards Festival."

The festival will run for two days on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 in Chestnut Hill, with events taking place at Chestnut Hill College, Woodmere Art Museum, and various locations on and around Germantown Avenue.

Wizarding fun beings at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 with the revamped Brews & Broomsticks Pub Crawl.

There are 10 participating bars and restaurants from 7700 to 8700 Germantown Avenue that pub crawlers can stop at – including Tavern on the Hill, Chestnut Hill Brewery, and El Poquito – that will offer $4 beer, $5 wine, and $6 cocktails specials to ticket holders. Ticket holders will also get admittance to their choice of fortune-telling, caricaturist, or glow-in-the-dark face painting.

Other establishments will be offering deals and specials, as well.

See the full list of participating establishments here.

In addition, pub crawlers will be able to enjoy live DJ music, two outdoor beer gardens, costumed actors and fortune tellers along Germantown Avenue, performances by circus aerialists and fire-breathers, a recreational archery range, and The Franklin Institute’s popular Science After Hours showcase.

Tickets cost $25 and are available online here.

Then on Oct. 20, the event expands to offer many family friendly events and activities.

Of course the 9th Annual Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chestnut Hill College on Oct. 20. Get more details on the tournament here.

From noon to 5 p.m. the Woodmere Art Museum will host the Straw Maze and the new Little Circus. The Woodmere Art Museum Straw Maze is made from massive straw bales and features multiple levels, spirals, and surprises. The Little Circus, featuring outdoor aerial performances, juggling, and tightrope walking, beginning at 2 p.m.

Admission costs $5 per child but parents are free. Tickets will be available here soon.

This year will not feature a closed street fair, meaning Germantown Avenue will be open to vehicle traffic.

Regarding parking, there will be five open lots for attendees to use.

Lot locations and pricing can be found at online here. Limited street parking is also available. Overflow parking will also be available on the campus of the New Covenant Church of Philadelphia at 7500 Germantown Ave.

Parking for the Quidditch Tournament will be available on the grounds of Chestnut Hill College.

Circulator shuttles will be running for the duration of the events to move people between the College, Woodmere Art Museum, the overflow parking lot, and downtown Chestnut Hill.

As parking capacity is limited, those attending Witches & Wizards are encouraged to take public transportation. SEPTA has two stops in Chestnut Hill that are a short walk from the heart of the community: Chestnut Hill West and Chestnut Hill East.This train system provides roundtrip transportation from Center City Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill. Visit SEPTA's website here for complete schedules and details.

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