Calling all Muggles: Harry Potter weekend hits Chestnut Hill

For all the wizards, Muggles, and everything in between, the Harry Potter Festival returns to Chestnut Hill this weekend for its fifth year.

The popular Friday night pub crawl is already sold out, but hold your hippogriffs: There are plenty of other events happening in Philly's own version of Hogsmeade. Lost? A map with an outline of various activities throughout the day can be picked up at activity tables, stores, restaurants, and the opening ceremony.

Whether you manage to catch a ride with Buckbeak or choose to travel via the Hogwarts Express - the new name for Saturday's SEPTA train traveling from Jefferson station to the festival - here is our guide for making this a magical weekend.

It's strongly recommended that you get into character, dressing up as anyone from Mad-Eye Moody to Moaning Myrtle. If your wardrobe lacks the necessary wizardry, several shops surrounding the festivities are ready to help out. Start by checking out Villavillekula (8135 Germantown Ave., 215- 242-0200, www.pippisvillavillekula.com), a small boutique where you'll find Hermione Granger wigs, Harry Potter's signature glasses, Quidditch helmets, wizardry robes, and Firebolt broomsticks. There are also onesies for the little ones that read, "Snuggle with this Muggle." Crafted by local artists, custom-made wooden wands will be available, too, for your spell-casting amusement. Next, continue to Threadwell (8431 Germantown Ave., 215-384-7631, www.threadwell.net), featuring a whole line of Harry Potter jewelry beside an array of Hogwarts-themed scarves. Just don't plan on getting too attached to that red-and-gold Gryffindor fabric, in case the festival's Sorting Hat holds a different school for your future.

Don't let the sold-out pub crawl be the dementor to your Friday. Whether you snatched a ticket or not, all are welcome to come view the costume contest at 7:30 p.m. behind the Chestnut Hill Hotel (8229 Germantown Ave., 215-242-5905, www.chestnuthillhotel.com). This is the first opportunity to introduce yourself to the event's official Dumbledore and Harry Potter. A DJ will spin beats and highlight the winners. Will Luna Lovegood win two years in a row?

Beforehand, at 6 p.m., swing by the Pennsylvania General Store (8607 Germantown Ave., 267-766-

3989) for a free chocolate-tasting featuring an array of local producers.

On Friday or Saturday, take a seat at the Three Broomsticks Inn (Campbell's Place, 8337 Germantown Ave., 215-242-1818, www.campbellsplace.

com), the Great Hall at Hogwarts (Iron Hill Brewery, 8400 Germantown Ave., 215-948-5600, www.ironhillbrewery.

com), or one of the other participating restaurants to imbibe as if you were just another wizard from Hogsmeade.

Bartenders will transform into sorcerers to sling up some special HP-style concoctions. Hit Iron Hill for its signature Pumpkin Juice - spiced and dark rum, ginger beer, and homemade pumpkin pie simple syrup. The brewery will also feature house-made brews created especially for the festival, including the dark, Belgian-style Dumbledore Dubbel and a hoppy "Voldemort's Wrath" IPA.

If you're looking for something that's really going to cast a spell on you, head to the Hogshead Tavern (Tavern on the Hill, 8636 Germantown Ave., 215-247-9948, www.tavernonthehill.biz). Here, you'll find the Potent Potter Punch that owner Kathlyn Egan compares to the classic Philadelphia drink Fish House Punch. The Potter version has a tea base mixed with rum, brandy, orange juice, and a dash of spices.

When you're ready to search out that Butterbeer, the Leaky Cauldron (McNally's, 8634 Germantown Ave., 215-247-9736, www.mcnallystavern.com) is where you'll find it. The pub's version is crafted from warm, spiced apple cider spiked with caramelized whiskey.

Finally, Weavers Way Co-op (8424 Germantown Ave., 215-866-9150, www.weaversway.coop) will be selling Butterscotch Beer to cleanse your palette with a nonalcoholic option. This carbonated soda made with stevia is a guaranteed kid-pleaser.

Butterbeer isn't just for drinking. Italian BYOB Stella Sera (8630 Germantown Ave., 215-248-1980, www.stellasera.com) will serve up Butterbeer-stuffed cannolis, while the Pennsylvania General Store will feature whoopie pies filled with Butterbeer cream.

For a chocolaty charm, try "Golden Snitch" truffles at Bredenbeck's Bakery, or if you really want to shock your sweet tooth, head to Zipf's Candies for the Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. Be warned on that latter option, which mixes blueberry and banana with flavors like dirt and earwax.

When ready for a savory-style Butterbeer bite, head to Iron Hill. The restaurant and brewery will dedicate its entire menu to the weekend, with items like Butterbeer braised pork loin and Slytherin smoky pumpkin salad.

How does the Muggle version of Quidditch go down? On Saturday, be sure to break between Butterbeers and catch a game or two at the Quidditch Tournament held at Chestnut Hill College (9601 Germantown Ave., 215-248-

7083, www.chc.edu). Several college club teams, from the likes of Franklin and Marshall, Syracuse University, and of course, Chestnut Hill College, will battle it out on a grassy oblong field. Each team plays three games, leading into a single elimination tournament.

To score points, players attempt to get the Quaffle - a slightly deflated volleyball - past the "keeper" and into one of the three hoops that stand on each side of the field. Two "beaters" play defense by using the two on-field "bludgers" - slightly deflated kickballs - to hit players on the opposing team. If a player is hit by a bludger, she takes a lap around the field. All members from each seven-player team must at all times keep one hand on a broomstick between their legs.

The game ends with the "snitch." In the Muggle version, the winged ball of the books is played by an individual dressed head to toe in yellow. This speedy runner has a soccer sock attached to his shorts that contains a tennis ball. When the "seeker" (the position Harry Potter excelled at) from either team catches the snitch and pulls the ball out of snitch's shorts, game play ends, awarding that team an extra 30 points. The team with the most points is declared the winner.

The tournament kicks off at 10 a.m., and each game lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Show up before 5 p.m. to ensure you catch the action.

"I'm surprised every year at how much of the crowd is in their 20s and 30s," said Martha Sharkey, executive director of the Chestnut Hill Business District. While the event attracts those nostalgic for the magic of their youth, it involves the younger crowd, too.

Top picks include Defense Against the Dark Arts classes taking place at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday at Godric's Hollow (Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave., 215-247-8881, www.thestagecrafters.org), where Harry Potter and his friends will teach participants how to cast spells with their wands.

From 1 to 2 p.m., meet with Dumbledore to don the Sorting Hat and determine your wizardry-school destiny at Tottenham Court Road (East Southampton and Germantown Avenues).

Then, before heading out, be sure to snap a photo with the whole family at Hedwig's Hollow Selfie Park (Buckley Park, 8200 Germantown Ave.). Large dementors will be hanging from the trees, and Aragog the spider will make an appearance as well.