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Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience Returns to Leesburg This Fall

From butterbeer to centaurs, you can experience everything the wizarding world has to offer without leaving Northern Virginia.

hagrid and fang scene at harry potter: a forbidden forest experience
Photo by Michele Kettner

Dust off your brooms and wands because the beloved Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is making its way back to Northern Virginia.

Starting October 26, the Morven Park International Equestrian Center will once again be transformed into the Forbidden Forest. As the sun goes down, the trail is brought to life and into the wizarding world with plenty of characters and scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. 

buckwheat
An animatronic Buckbeak greets guests in the Forbidden Forest (Courtesy “WIZARDING WORLD”)
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Fans can expect to catch glimpses of centaurs, bowtruckles, nifflers, and other magical creatures along the trail. There are also a handful of interactive activities set up throughout the forest, including casting your patronus, bowing to Buckbeak, and having a dueling wand battle – similar to that of Harry and Voldemort in the final movie. Foodies will also enjoy tasting popular dishes and drinks from the franchises, like butterbeer and smoked turkey legs.

green lights illuminate trees at harry potter forbidden forest experience
The Forbidden Forest trail winds through Leesburg’s Morven Park. (Photo by Michele Kettner)
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The pop-up attraction will be open daily from 5 to 11 p.m. with guests able to enter the trail until 9:45 p.m. While guests can go at their own pace, you can expect to spend 45 to 75 minutes along the trail. 

Tickets go on sale to the general public on August 1 at 10 a.m. Potter lovers can also sign up for the waitlist to receive priority access to presale tickets. Tickets start at $45 for adults and $30 for children. Kids ages 2 and under are free.

The attraction was previously hosted at Leesburg’s Morven Park when it made its North American debut during the fall of 2022.

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Feature image by Michele Kettner

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