Dark Arts At Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour Review (2024)!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

One of the best times for Potterheads to visit London is for the Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour.

It’s an annual event that takes place in the spooky season and it sees Hogwarts decorated for Halloween – a highlight being the famous floating pumpkins in the Great Hall.

Plus, there are lots of added chilling experiences like meeting Death Eaters and following Voldemort’s Dark Mark.

Here is a detailed Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour review and magical reasons to visit this year!

Dark Arts Harry Potter Studio Halloween Tour Review — *Standing here was a DREAM come true for me, folks!*

What is Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios?

The Dark Arts is a ‘Siriusly’ spooky annual event that sees Harry Potter Studios in London decorated for Halloween.

You’ll find 100 pumpkins floating in the Hogwarts Great Hall as well as lots of Halloween treats on the tables.

Beyond that, the sets on the tour are decorated, you can watch a Death Eaters procession and follow a Dark Mark trail through the tour.

Potterheads will love being able to step into the scenes of Hogwarts at Halloween. It’s guaranteed to be a spooktacular time!

When is Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour?

The Dark Arts event at Harry Potter Studios London will take place between the 13th of September and the 10th of November 2024.

Tickets for this Harry Potter Halloween event are very popular and so you should look to book your tickets early in the year.

This is especially important if you wanted to visit on Halloween itself or just before the 31st of October.

The Harry Potter books and movies are immaculate Halloween vibes and so lots of fans want to visit this tour in the Fall.

Harry Potter ghosts Hogwarts Great Hall — *Who is your Hogwarts House ghost host?*

Why visit Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour?

So, most Potterheads will not need much convincing to visit the Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour.

Seeing floating pumpkins in the Great Hall and experiencing Halloween at Hogwarts has been a dream for so many.

But, if you have been to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London before you’re probably wondering ‘what’s different about the Dark Arts event that makes it worth visiting?’.

I’ve been three times now for the Celebration of Slytherin event, the Dark Arts at Halloween and Hogwarts in the Snow, and I have blown away every time. It is always a fantastic day out!

There are many magical reasons to re-visit Warner Brother Studios London for Halloween. Here are just a few of the spooktacular reasons to go!

Dark Arts Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour

Magical reasons to visit Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios London

1. You’ll see pumpkins in Hogwarts Great Hall

One of my favourite scenes in all of the Harry Potter movies is the floating pumpkins in Hogwarts Great Hall from The Philosopher’s Stone.

It has been my dream to see this and so when I entered Hogwarts Great Hall on Halloween I was amazed!

You’ll find over 100 pumpkins floating here. All of them have a unique design and were made by the prop-making team for the movies.

Look out for the Halloween feast that’s been laid out on the tables. There will be pumpkins, sweets, lollies, and toffee apples!

Unfortunately, you can’t sit down in the Great Hall and enjoy any of it. But, don’t worry, there are lots of spooky treats in the cafés on your tour.

Pumpkins HogwartS Great Hall Harry PotteR Studios Halloween

Dark Arts Harry Potter Studios Halloween Review

2. Watch the Death Eaters Procession

Throughout your Harry Potter Studios Halloween tour, you will get the chance to watch the Death Eaters Procession!

The performers will wear the same Death Eater costumes and masks that were worn in the movies and they will put on a truly menacing display.

The choreography for the procession was directed by Paul Harris who was the wand choreographer in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

It was so cool watching the Death Eaters make their way through the crowds and pointing their wands for a skirmish.

After they are finished, don’t miss out on getting your photo taken with the deathly group outside the Ministry of Magic sets.

Death Eater Procession Harry Potter Studios — *Death Eater Procession!*

3. Grab a Dark Arts Passport

I always grab a Harry Potter Studios passport on my visit and I loved the fact they had a special Dark Arts Passport for Halloween.

If you’re not aware, the Harry Potter Studios passport contains a trail to solve riddles and find hidden gems on your visit.

As well as that, you get to stamp your passport with their foot pedal machines on your way around.

For Halloween, they have a special Dark Mark stamp! So, make sure to pick one up and start solving the puzzles.

4. Follow the Dark Mark trail

After you’ve picked up your Dark Arts passport, you can search the Studio Tour for Voldemort’s Dark Mark!

You’ll find the iconic symbol of Voldemort and his Death Eaters dotted around different parts of the tour from the Potion’s Classroom, Forbidden Forest, and even on the towers of Hogwarts Castle!

Make sure to stamp your passport each time you see one complete the challenge.

When I was here, they also had a trail of hidden Horcruxes where you could find the Locket of Slytherin, Tom Riddle’s Diary, Nagini, and the others on the tour.

Dark Mark Trail Dark Arts Harry Potter Studios London

5. Learn the Riddikulus spell with Professor Lupin’s Boggart!

A new addition happening this year is a special Dark Arts lesson with Professor Lupin.

You can imagine your worst fear and then shout ‘Riddikulus’ at the Boggart Wardrobe. Make sure to bring your wand along.

I’ve always loved this scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban so I hope I can experience it this year.

6. Hogwarts After Dark

If you wanted to do something really special you should consider visiting for their Hogwarts After Dark event.

Here, you get to dine amongst Death Eaters after Harry Potter Studios has closed for the day.

You’ll be trick or treated to a two-course dinner inside the studio sets of the Potions Class and Dumbledore’s Office and have dessert in the Forbidden Forest.

It’s bound to be ‘Seriusly’ spooky. It’s not the cheapest event at £260 per person but it is priceless for Potterheads!

Click here to find out more and book Hogwarts After Dark

Death Eater Procession Harry Potter Studios Halloween

Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios Halloween Review

Is the Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour worth it?

100% YES! Although I am biased as my Slytherin heart has soft spot for the Dark Arts event, I would always recommend it to any Harry Potter fan. It’s the best time of the year to go!

If you have ever wanted to visit Hogwarts at Halloween and see that iconic scene with all the floating pumpkins in the Great Hall then this event is definitely for you!

You can watch Death Eaters skirmish, follow Voldemort’s dark mark, and find all sorts of spooky goings-on at this time of year.

Plus, what’s even better is that you get to experience all this extra Halloween fun at no further cost than a regular ticket!

Strolling through Diagon Alley, bowing to Buckbeak, visiting Gringotts Bank, and admiring Hogwarts Castle are always breathtaking experiences. So, it’s a win, win.

Click here to book tickets to the Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios!

How long does Halloween at Harry Potter studios last?

The Dark Arts event takes place between the 25th of September and the 5th of November.

So, I would 100% recommend booking your tickets in the summer to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment.

It’s important to note that the dates running up to Halloween and on the 31st of October are likely to sell out earlier in the year.

How much is the Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios Haloween tour?

The Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studios Halloween Tour is a special event that happens every year in the spooky season.

Potterheads will be happy to know that these Halloween bonuses are included in the regular ticket price for the Harry Potter Studios Tour in London. So, there’s no extra cost.

They also regularly have events throughout the year like Hogwarts in the Snow for Christmas and I would highly recommend you visit that too!

Dark Arts Harry Potter Studios Halloween

Tickets start from £49.95 per person for adults and child tickets are £39.95. There are family tickets available for £159.95. All tickets must be booked in advance.

There are packages you can book which include a hotel stay, deluxe tours, afternoon teas, and more. So, make sure to have a browse at checkout to enhance your visit.

The studio tour is open almost every day and opens as early as 8.30 am closing the doors at 10 pm. Opening times do vary so make sure to check the website for the day you plan to visit.

You will also be booking a specific time slot for the tour so plan your journey time well in advance.

How to get to Harry Potter Studios in London

If you’re driving, the Warner Brothers Studio tour can be found in Leavesden which is near Watford.

You can easily drive here from London by taking the M4 or M1 motorway and then switching to the M25. There is free parking available for everyone who booked a tour.

If you’re not driving, you can take the Warner Brothers Studio shuttle bus from Watford Junction station.

Take a train from London Euston (20 minutes) and then the shuttle bus from Watford Junction (15 minutes) to the studios!

The postcode for Harry Potter Studios for SatNav’s is WD25 7LR. Click here for a Google Pin!

Looking for more Harry Potter things to do in London?

There are plenty more locations that you can seek out if you’re a Potterhead in London!

After your visit to the Harry Potter Studios, I would recommend visiting the Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition in London. This is home to London’s only Butter Beer Bar!

One of my favourite locations I visited has to be Leadenhall Market. A gorgeous Victorian wonder that featured as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley.

Talking of Diagon Alley you can visit some of the locations that inspired that wizarding shopping street like Cecil Cour t and Goodwin’s Court.

Leadenhall Market Harry Potter filming locations — *Leadenhall Market*

Harry potter Goodwin's Court Knockturn Alley

Nearby you can watch The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre or lose yourself in the House of MinaLima.

I would catch the tube over to the River Thames to see sights like the Millennium Bridge, Tower Bridge, London City Hall, and Borough Market which all featured as filming locations.

You can head into St Paul’s Cathedral to see their Geometric Staircase that was the Divination Stairwell at Hogwarts.

You can also visit King’s Cross Station to see Platform 9 3/4 and the Harry Potter Shop. The St Pancras International Hotel and the filming location for 12 Grimmauld Place are nearby. Or, visit the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel where Ron flies his Ford Anglia!

Or, why not enjoy some immersive experiences like cocktails at The Cauldron or an afternoon tea at Cutter & Squidge?

Click here to read my complete guide on London Harry Potter locations