Harry Potter is a story of a boy wizard that took the world by storm. The writer, J.K. Rowling, created the world of wizardry many years ago and now Harry Potter, Hogwarts, and platform 9 ¾ are general household names.
The imaginary world creates many fun and magical scenarios for all those who have watched the movies and read the books. If you know the story’s history, you’ll be aware that not everyone loves Harry like most of his fans. There are many evil villains who would like to see him dead. Perhaps you are one of them. Well, now you can attend a murder mystery party where you have to investigate clues to find his murderer (it might even be you).
If you’ve been living under a rock and are invited to one, then before attending a HP murder mystery party, you first have to understand the story. Or at least have watched it a few times to be able to get the most out of the experience.
Here are a few magical things you can expect from a magically-filled Harry Potter murder mystery party.
Owl Invitations
Before the fun has even started, you’ll receive owl mail. Owls famously deliver all mail in the stories and it won’t be any different. If you are hosting the party yourself, then you have to make sure that everyone receives their owl post invitations.
To mimic the real story, the envelopes will look a bit weathered and old. Font used on the invitation will have to embody the writings of an ink and quill pen. You can stick old postage stamps onto the envelopes for extra effect.
Guests Can Dress Up Like a Character from the Movie
Once the RSVPs have been confirmed the excitement can start. All those who are attending the party will receive a set of rules. Either you will be able to choose your own favorite Harry Potter character, or you will have to dress up as the individual in your rules guide. Unfortunately, not everyone can be Hermione or Gandalf.
The rule guidebook will give you a background story of your character that you can read through. It will be extremely fun for guests to study their character before the event actually take place. This will give them time to get into character and enjoy the night of roleplaying even more.
Here is a list of all the greatest Harry Potter characters of all time that you can choose from: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/greatest-harry-potter-characters/
Decorations and Props
It’s with the decorations that the host can go completely way out. Depending on what the theme is, you’ll be able to use different décor to replicate a scene from the movie.
Some murder mystery packages come with already-included décor, signs and props. These might include a wand for every attendee, the infamous sorting hat, broomsticks, signs that point to different areas of Hogwarts and perhaps even a few creepers or tombstones.
A fun idea will be to hang Wanted posters or newspaper headlines around the house, just like in Hogsmeade.
Of course, you are going to have to make a white body outline somewhere in the house of where the body was found. This will add to the mystery and give your guests the true feeling of a murder that took place.
Snacks
What’s a party without some delicious snacks and drinks? Just like with Halloween, hosts can get very inventive with their snacks. Use the Harry Potter books for inspiration and make some Rock cakes, pumpkin pasties, treacle tarts, snitch truffles, butter beer, and edible wands.
For extra fun, one can include the popular Zonko’s joke shop with edible lips, teeth, eyes, and spiders. Other snacks you can include are wretched worms, chocolate frogs, goblin eyeballs, and cockroach clusters. When your party pack doesn’t include some of these sweets, then you can visit any all-inclusive candy store for some options.
Go here for some excellent magical food ideas you can make at home.
Different Stations
The entire murder won’t be happening in one place. Guests should be able to move around the house or venue to investigate and find clues. At the party there will be many different stations set up that resembles popular places in the Harry Potter movie.
Guests could maybe get the chance to pick their own wands for magical spells at the Olivander’s wand shop. Perhaps make a deposit at the Gringotts Wizarding Bank, or visit Florean’s Fortescue’s Ice cream parlour for a deliciously refreshing desert.
Other stations you can include are the Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated goods, Gladrag’s Wizard Wear, Honeydukes, and Madame Puddifoot’s.
A fun idea is to start the investigation within the Hogwarts express steam engine train on platform 9 ¾.
No matter which stations the host choose to create, there can be an array of props and clues that guests can use to solve the murder mystery.
Murder Mystery Theme
There are many Harry Potter murder mystery party packs available to hosts. Included in these already-prepared packs are:
- Sets of clues
- Decoration and costume ideas
- Outlines of the game rules
- Scripts for characters and suspects
- Posters and invitation designs
- Character badges
- Extra information
- Seating cards
- And sometimes even snacks
Depending on the size of your party, you’ll have to choose a theme accordingly. Some murder mysteries can host up to 70 people. If your party is a bit smaller, then you can dial it down.
Murder mysteries can be created around a specific scene from the movies, or based on any one of the 7 books. You can also choose a thrilling theme created specifically for adults, or a more creative and magical theme suitable for younger children.
No matter how old you are, a murder mystery party like this is always a lot of fun. With the Harry Potter theme song playing in the background, surrounded by popular witchcraft and wizardry shops and landmarks, everyone will have a blast finding the murderer.
