Spend the Holidays with Harry Potter

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and GES, producers of the internationally touring exhibition Harry Potter: The Exhibition, today announced the creation of the newest Harry Potter-themed environment, with a holiday twist, Christmas in the Wizarding  World.

Launching fall 2017 in selected shopping venues, Christmas in the Wizarding World is a holiday experience inspired by the Harry Potter film series, which will feature beautifully crafted settings and showcase unique experiences sure to dazzle families of all ages. WBCP and GES will partner with premier retail developers to bring the experience to major shopping destinations during the holiday  season.

“This holiday season, we are excited to introduce new Christmas themed experiences that further extend J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World into the lifestyle of our fans and consumers,” said Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President, Global Themed Entertainment, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Christmas in the Wizarding World will be an all-new touchpoint that celebrates this very special time of the  year.”

This fully themed holiday retail experience will be reminiscent of the setting and atmosphere of a wintry Hogsmeade village, complete with a wand shop, ornate window displays and interactive elements that are sure to be a hit with Harry Potter  fans.

Key features of the experience  include:

• Ollivanders™, where guests will be able to experience a holiday surprise with the help of the Wandkeeper, amid soaring shelves of hundreds of precariously stacked wand boxes.
• A memorable photo opportunity, featuring a number of background options from the Harry Potter films, where guests can purchase a keepsake of their Christmas in the Wizarding World experience.
• Throughout the attraction, animated windows will bring the iconic shops from the films to life, delighting visitors and fans alike.
• A wide selection of authentic Harry Potter merchandise, from house sweaters and robes to fan-favorite confections and plush owls, as well as jewelry and collectibles will be featured in familiar storefronts seen in the films.

“GES is delighted to be a part of creating a new way for fans to experience the world of Harry Potter, this time in a holiday setting,” said Eddie Newquist, chief creative officer of GES. “This one-of-a-kind experience is sure to be a hit with families and friends who are looking for a magical experience this holiday  season.”

GES, producer of blockbuster touring-themed attractions and world-class live events across the globe, will design, produce and operate Christmas in the Wizarding  World.

About the Harry Potter  Series
Since 1997, the world has been captivated by the magic of the Harry Potter stories from J.K. Rowling. When Harry Potter learns on his eleventh birthday that he is, in fact, a wizard – he is quickly swept up into the spellbinding world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry alongside new best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. As the three friends get to grips with Levitation Charms and the rules of Quidditch, one of the darkest wizards of all time, Lord Voldemort, returns to threaten the very future of the wizarding  world.

The trio must summon all the courage they can for their extraordinary journey from finding the Philosopher’s Stone, battling Basilisks, to turning back time and the terrifying trials of the Triwizard Tournament. The discovery of a devastating prophecy and a perilous hunt for Horcruxes lead them to face the Dark Lord himself when Harry and his friends must fight to save Hogwarts and the entire wizarding  world.

About Warner Bros. Consumer  Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world.  WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera. The division’s successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi (opening 2018). With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences, WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the  world.

About  GES
GES, a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, is a global, full-service provider for live events, producing corporate events, exhibitions, conferences, congresses, exhibits and entertainment experiences. GES provides a wide-range of services, including official show services, audio visual, cutting-edge creative and design, marketing and measurement services, and event accommodations – all with an unrivaled global reach. GES partners with leading events and brands, including Warner Bros. Consumer Products, National Geographic, Mary Kay, The Walt Disney Company and Tableau. GES’ National Servicenter® has been recognized with certification under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program℠ for the past eight years, and for the seventh year in a row Ad Age has named GES as one of the “World’s 50 Largest Agency Companies.” For more information, visit  www.ges.com.

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING`S WIZARDING WORLD™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.  (s17)

SOURCE  GES