The winners of our October Harry Potter Halloween Contest have been chosen from many amazing entries and are ready to be announced.  Last month, we asked you to create a costume based on any character from the Harry Potter series.  Our Contest Crew has divided up the winners into three categories based on the type of costume they created:  Inexperienced Handmade, Experienced Handmade, and Comme…

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Continue reading → Winners of Halloween Harry Potter Costume Contest Announced

Today LeakyCon, our fan conference set for Boston, MA, next May (21-24), has opened submissions for presentations and programming.

If you have an idea on a topic of Harry Potter canon; an idea for a presentation on a character, theme, moral, or event from the series; a tutorial on a particular Harry Potter creation; or even your own personal, unique story related to the Harry Potter series, we…

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Continue reading → LeakyCon Proposal Submissions Open!

On December 3, the HP Alliance is reopening its efforts for STANDFast, an activity in which participants give up a luxury item (like a Starbucks latte or a CD) and donate the money they save to help protect the Lily Potters of Darfur and the PotterWatch of Burma. About $10 can protect a whole family in Burma and a woman in Darfur. Last year, Harry Potter fans raised over $8,000 for Civilian Pro…

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Continue reading → Harry Potter Alliance STANDs Fast

TLC has received word of what we believe is the first midnight release parties being planned for The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Thanks to TLC reader David  we now know of two parties being held at book stores in the UK. Borders at Charing Cross Road (near and dear to us here at TLC as it is also the location of the Leaky Cauldron in London) is set to hold a special midnight release party for the…

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Continue reading → Borders in London to Hold Midnight Release Party for “Beedle the Bard,” Waterstone’s Planning Day Release Events

Today,  Harry, A History, the new book about the Harry Potter phenomenon written by TLC webmistress Melissa Anelli, has officially been released. As such, the USA Today newspaper takes a closer look at the book, with an article that also contains new comments from Melissa who says that the world of Harry Potter  “is so pleasant to spend time in,”  and the world of the online fandom such as we h…

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Continue reading → USA Today Features “Harry, A History” by Melissa Anelli

As it is now a new month, we have a host of new activities going on all over The Leaky Cauldron.  We have today the opening of two new book clubs, a communal holiday crafting event, and a brand new contest to bring you.

First up, our Harry Potter Book Club has started to read the sixth book in author J. K. Rowling’s series, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”  Relive the magic of Harry’s s…

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Continue reading → Leaky Cauldron’s November Event Round Up

Today is Election Day in the US, and we’d like to remind you, along with The HP Alliance, to Wizard Rock the VOTE! Get out there and vote, no matter who you are voting for. It matters in and outside America, and it will affect the course of the world.

Here are a couple of links to help:

Google makes it easy to find your polling place and registration information at maps.google.com/vote.

If you are…

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Continue reading → Wizard Rock the Vote!

Last month, we brought you the Harry Potter Themed Decor Contest, which asked you to photograph a room which you have decorated in a Harry Potter style or theme.  After receiving many splendid entries, we now have for you the winners of this contest. 

First Place: Carmen Ruybe

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This room is decked out like the Gryffindor common room.  The fireplace is my most

…

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Continue reading → Winners of the Harry Potter Decor Contest Announced

Just in time for Halloween, the latest issue of “The Quibbler” is here containing “all the news you won’t find anywhere else.”  This issue features the most haunting news on a possible Goblin War; Ghost Attacks and Muggle cover ups; equally shocking news about Aurors, Dementors, and Gilderoy Lockhart; and much more.  In addition to this, “The Quibbler” contains a new batch of Letters from the E…

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Continue reading → Halloween Edition of “The Quibbler” Now Online

As the year begins to draw to an end, we’ve gotten many owls from those asking about Harry Potter gatherings due to be held next year, and so here is a reminder of two of the big events due in 2009.

First a reminder that our very first convention, Leaky Con 2009 will be held next May 21- 24, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. With this celebration of the Harry Potter series and the Harry Potter fan…

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Continue reading → Harry Potter Conventions Reminder: Registrations Open for Leaky Con 2009, Azkatraz 2009

As All Hallows’ Eve approaches, the Leaky Lounge forum is getting into the Halloween spirit with a few spirits and ghouls of our own, which can be found during our weekend-long event in the Ghostly Halloween Party Room.  Stop in to hang out with your fellow Lounge members and chat with a few ghostly guests who will be popping in throughout the weekend.  Also take part in our annual Trick-or-Tre…

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Continue reading → Boo! Ghostly Halloween Party in the Leaky Lounge

Several rumor alerts tonight regarding the upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park attraction under construction at Universal Orlando. Screamscape is reporting that the giant castle of Hogwarts will not only serve as the center of the park, but will also be home to a “big new ride [that] will be placed inside the massive Hogwarts castle that is currently under construction.” The rep…

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Continue reading → Rumor Alert: Hogwarts, the Ride and More on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Telegraph is reporting tonight that a professor in the UK has done a study on readers of the Harry Potter novels, with the findings apparently revealing there are four distinct type of readers. According to the report, Professor Stephen Brown of the Ulster Business School says the groups closely mirror the Houses of Hogwarts, and indicates the breakdown of the groups as follows:

• ‘Huf

…

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Continue reading → Marketing Professor: Only Hufflepuffs Totally Loyal to Harry

MTV has a new article online highlighting “The Wizard Rockumentary: A Movie About Rocking and Rowling.” The creation of Harry Potter fans and twin sisters Megan and Mallory Schuyler, the article notes the documentary is the result of two years…

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Continue reading → MTV Talks WizardRockumentary

As we reported several weeks ago on the FAQ on the official Wizarding World of Harry Potter website at Universal was updated to state an opening of “2010.” The front of the same site now reads ‘Harry Potter “Theme Park…

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Continue reading → Wizarding World of Harry Potter: “Revealed in 2010″

An update on the construction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando comes today via IOACentral, who has a batch of new images online revealing what looks to be one of the Hogsmeade Shops. The report…

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Continue reading → Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park Construction Photos

There two pieces of news online regarding the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme park currently under construction at Universal in Orlando, Florida. First up, a new blog via the Orlando Sentinel has a handful of new photos online which…

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Continue reading → Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park Update

Universal Orlando Resorts has new concept art online depicting the Three Broomsticks pub for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park attraction currently under construction in Florida. The official website for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was updated…

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Continue reading → Three Broomsticks Pub Concept Art from Universal Orlando

A brief update today regarding the ongoing construction at Universal Orlando for the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. The Orlando Sentinel has word today regarding areas being closed in the existing park, including closures of the “Flying…

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Continue reading → Brief Update on Closures, Construction for Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park

Well as if this recent flurry of new “Half-Blood Prince” high res photos and news about the video games weren’t enough to fuel your appetite for all things Harry Potter, we have another morsel to tempt you tonight. The top…

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Continue reading → Enjoy a Feast Hogwarts Style at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Construction continues on building the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park attraction in Orlando, Florida. Courtesy of Screamscape and Orlando Rocks, we can see a host of new photos, including work being done building the snowy covered villages found…

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Continue reading → Harry Potter Theme Park Construction Continues with Hogsmeade and More

Construction continues on building the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park attraction in Orlando, Florida. Courtesy of Screamscape and Orlando Rocks, we can see a host of new photos, including work being done building the snowy covered villages found…

• Theme Park Souvenirs Contemporary 1968-Now Disneyana Collectibles

• Theme Park Souvenirs Vintage Pre-1968 Disneyana Collectibles

Continue reading → Harry Potter Theme Park Construction Continues with Hogsmeade and More

Previously, we told you about several screenings of the We Are Wizards documentary taking place over the past few week, with one large event due to take place this weekend. This film, which focuses on the Harry Potter fandom, is…

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Continue reading → Reminder: We are Wizards, Wizard Rock Show in Boston

As some of you may know, there is a new documentary focusing on the Harry Potter fandom called “We Are Wizards.” This documentary has been described by the film makers as a piece that “tracks the influential figures leading the…

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Continue reading → “We Are Wizards” Documentary Screening at Film Festivals in April

Over the past several years we’ve reported on the rise in popularity of Quidditch being played at various Harry Potter gatherings and especially now at US universities. This week, the Middlebury College Quidditch club is taking the magical sport on…

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Continue reading → College Quidditch Gains Media Coverage

Over the past several years we’ve reported on the rise in popularity of Quidditch being played at various Harry Potter gatherings and especially now at US universities. This week, the Middlebury College Quidditch club is taking the magical sport on…

• Harry Potter Sci-Fi, Fantasy Trading Cards Collectibles

• Harry Potter Fantasy, Mythical Magic Collectibles

Continue reading → College Quidditch Gains Media Coverage

Calling all Wizarding rock fans! Wrockstock 2008, a weekend full of Wizard rock music will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 23rd-26th. Wrockstock is a fundraising event to help benefit the Harry Potter Alliance and will be held at thee…

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Continue reading → Wrockstock 2008 Registration Opens

Construction has begun on building Hogwarts Castle for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park at Universal Orlando. Longtime theme park blogger Jim Hill reports today that work is underway on the castle that will serve as the centerpiece…

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Continue reading → Construction Begins on Hogwarts Castle for Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Right before the holidays, Universal Orlando sent out emails indicating they had added a poll regarding their new “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme park attraction, unfortunately the poll was not working for many fans. It appears they have sorted…

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Continue reading → New Poll for Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park Now Working

Gotta love fandoms…especially when they collide, for the official Star Wars.com website now has a fun comparison list online, comparing the Star Wars series with Harry Potter. Long debated here in our own fandom as well, this article lists ten…

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Continue reading → Luke, I am Not Harry’s Father

Let the end of the year list season commence, as MTV has now released their top ten list of the best Wizard Rock groups. While we at Leaky proudly salute all who WROCK, the MTV list was as follows: 10….

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Continue reading → MTV Picks Top Ten List of Wizard Rock Bands

Construction is underway in Florida for the upcoming Harry Potter theme park attraction at Universal Studios in Orlando. While early photos have been floating around for a few days now, blogger Jim Hill has some clear pictures of early work…

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Continue reading → Construction Begins on “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” In Florida

We have a fun bit of news for you, as the USA Today has a lengthy feature on the rise in popularity of Quidditch at colleges here in the States. Focusing on the team at Middlebury College, the paper notes…

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Continue reading → A League of their Own: Quidditch and US Colleges

As readers of the Harry Potter novels know, many characters in the beloved series work together to confront social issues. So too have Harry Potter fans who are long noted for their concern and response toward pressing real life issues….

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Continue reading → A Call to Dumbledore’s Army of the Real World to Help in Darfur

While we still have several months to go in 2007, many of you are planning your Harry Potter travels for 2008. We have a few updates regarding the various Harry Potter conferences set for next year. First, Portus 2008, the…

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Continue reading → Portus, Terminus, Accio 2008 Updates and More