Looking to capture the spirit of the Harry Potter Festival, the first Witches and Wizards weekend will go from October 19-20. (Photo by Dustin LaCava-Wingate)

by Brendan Sample

Though the popular Harry Potter Festival was canceled earlier this year, the Chestnut Hill Business District has officially announced a replacement in the form of the Witches and Wizards weekend. The new festival will kick off on Friday, October 19 with the Brews and Broomsticks Pub Crawl and continue on October 20 with family-friendly activities throughout the neighborhood. Unlike previous years, Germantown Avenue will not be closed off and will remain open to regular traffic.

Despite drawing over 50,000 people to the Hill at its peak, the CHBD ultimately had to cancel the original Festival due to rising costs and increased legal pressure from Warner Bros., the studio that owns the rights to the franchise. Not wanting to miss out on an opportunity to create something new in its place, the Business District began planning the Witches and Wizards weekend immediately after receiving the notice from Warner Bros.

“We have many businesses who did very well during the festival and a local audience who enjoyed the tradition in Chestnut Hill,” said CHBD Executive Director Philip Dawson. “Given the time of year in late October, we decided that the best option was to plan a new event that meshed magic and wizardry with the Halloween season.”

Sixteen local establishments will be participating in the Pub Crawl, which will go from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Iron Hill Brewery, Tavern on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Brewing Company will be among the main venues serving speciality drinks and entrees. Tickets are $25 and will provide access to various drink specials, a themed gift bag and live DJ entertainment.

The main Witches and Wizards festivities will be held the following day from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attendance is free with pre-registration currently available online, and tickets for certain paid activities will be sold throughout the day.

Activities will include hayrides, a straw maze, crafts, science demonstrations, circus performances and an archery range. Chestnut Hill College will also have its annual Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as that was not affected by Warner Bros.’ crackdown.

Despite the lack of activities directly connected to the Harry Potter franchise, the Business District remains confident that the first Witches and Wizards weekend will be the start of a new favorite event in the area.

“Our message is that there is always magic in Chestnut Hill,” Dawson said. “The town has an inimitable character which made it the perfect backdrop for the festival in past years, and we and our member businesses are planning carefully to create a magical experience once again … Our festival participants have always been a big part of the atmosphere as well, and we've had many people tell us that they plan on returning in full costume this year.  I think there is a lot to look forward to this year.”

Parking will be available at five lots throughout Chestnut Hill for $10 for the day, with limited street parking also providing an option. The New Covenant Church of Philadelphia will handle any overflow parking from those locations. Shuttle services will also be offered, with shuttles departing from Chestnut Hill College, Woodmere Art Museum, downtown Chestnut Hill and the overflow lot. The CHBD is encouraging visitors to the region to use SEPTA public transportation.

For full details about the festival, visit chestnuthillpa.com/events/witches-wizards

Brendan Sample can be reached at brendan@chestnuthilllocal.com