See which libraries are holding events for Harry Potter night

Wizards and Muggles alike are being invited to the third Harry Potter book night at Ipswich Museum. Stock image. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Suffolk libraries are holding events for this year’s Harry Potter Book Night which takes place next Thursday (February 1).

The theme for 2018 is ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and the amazing creatures at the very heart of the Harry Potter stories.

Sophie Green, librarian at Suffolk libraries, said: “Harry Potter Book Night is a chance for fans of all ages to celebrate the J.K. Rowling books and also a wonderful opportunity to encourage a new generation of readers who have still to discover them. We hope plenty of young wizards, witches and muggles come along and enjoy the events taking place in our libraries.”

The Stowmarket, Gainsborough, Aldeburgh and Lowestoft Library events are also part of The British Library and Bloomsbury Publishing ‘Beasts amongst the Bookshelves’ event which involves reading extracts from the Harry Potter books and weird and sharing wonderful facts about the creatures from the stories.

The following events are taking place on Thursday 1 February except the Sudbury Library events which are on the 9 and 10 February:

Stowmarket Library – Thursday February 1 from 5pm to 7pm

From 5pm to 6pm there will be readings about beasts from the Harry Potter books followed by some beastly facts, questions and prizes.

From 6pm, there will be various Harry Potter themed games and activities. Enjoy live magic from a real wizard, Quidditch, wand duelling, seek the snitch and much more. Children will be put into a Hogwarts House by the sorting hat and Bellatrix LeStrange will be making a special appearance.

Dressing up is encouraged and there’s a prize for the best costume. The event is aimed at children aged 8 and above and the library is also looking for any volunteers aged 13 plus to help with the event.

Lowestoft Library 1 February from 5pm to 6.30pm

Discover a menagerie of magical monsters at Lowestoft Library as local storytellers read beastly extracts from the Harry Potter series. Hear about some of the exciting creatures that Harry Potter and his friends have met on their adventures and there’s also a chance to win some beastly prizes. This event is suitable for older children, families and adults.

Aldeburgh Library – Thursday 1 February from 5pm to 6.30pm

Children will be able to hear readings about some of the beasts from the Harry Potter books, followed by some beastly facts, questions and prizes. There will also be games and Harry Potter-inspired snacks. Tickets are free and can be booked in advance from the library.

Gainsborough Library – Thursday 1 February from 4pm to 6pm

Come dressed as your favourite fantastic beast for this year’s Harry Potter Book night. There will be magical crafts, games, nibbles and more.

Felixstowe Library – Thursday 1 February from 6pm.

Felixstowe Library is holding a special quiz where anyone over 7 is invited to test their Harry Potter knowledge. As well as questions to about Harry’s adventures, there will be fun team activities.

The Rapscallion Theatre Company will also be bringing snippets of the stories to life. The event will also offer an opportunity to see the British Library ‘A History of Magic’ display which is on view at the library until 5 February. Teams of up to six are welcome or people can come along and join up with others to form a team. Everyone is welcome to dress up as character from the books for a chance to win a prize. Tickets are £5 and must be booked in advance from the library.

Great Cornard Library – Thursday 1 February at 3.30pm

Celebrate Harry Potter Book Night with a quiz. No need to book - just turn up to test your knowledge on all things Harry Potter.

Ipswich County Library - Thursday 1 February at 4.30pm

A Harry Potter Book Night event for children with fancy dress, potion-making, beastly crafts, a quiz and much more. Tickets are £4 and are available in advance from the library.

Southwold Library – Thursday 1 February from 6pm to 7pm

Children and parents are invited to an evening of Harry Potter fun. Enter a fancy-dress competition, experience the sorting hat and enjoy crafts, games and more. Please contact the library to book.

Sudbury Library – Friday 9 February at 6pm

Sudbury Library will be hosting their fourth fantastic Harry Potter evening for local children. Activities will include a sorting hat ceremony, craft activities and lots, lots more. Children may wish to come dressed up as characters from the Harry Potter series or as Muggles. Tickets cost £2 and accompanying adults are free.

Sudbury Library – Saturday 10 February at 7.30pm

Sudbury Library is also holding special fun Harry Potter quiz night the next day on Saturday 10 February at 7.30pm. This is aimed at adults and older children and will test their knowledge of the world of Harry Potter. Teams of up to six are welcome to bring a picnic and people are advised to book in advance. Volunteers to help out with the Sudbury events would be very welcome.

Elsewhere, Ipswich Waterstones and Ipswich Museum are holding their own special events to mark the occasion.

From 6.30pm, Waterstones will host a Fantastic Beasts quiz, tasking fans with brushing up on their flobberworm facts, dressing as their favourite character, and entering prizegiving events.

Bookseller Jem Gooding said: “We are really looking forward to the night, especially the focus on Fantastic Beasts this year, because it is so encouraging to see the love and hype for the series and children’s books is only getting stronger each year.”

At Ipswich Museum, budding witches and wizards can craft their own edible golden snitch and visit the owl post office to meet some feathered friends.

Henna tattoo painting, divination class and a chance to try Pinnock’s Giggle Water are also on the cards.

Tickets are £9.90 and available online here.