Witches & Wizards of Woodstock is Back!
The Hat is Back: Once again the Woodstock Square will be transformed into a world of enchantment.
There will be new and exciting events as the annual fantasy festival returns this fall.
Join us Sunday, October 23, 2022 from Noon until 4 pm.
Witches & Wizards Highlights
This all-ages event features activities for everyone in the family from 3 to 103!
(Older non-human? You’re welcome too!)
Magical Talking Hat
Predictions are the Hat’s specialty, but don’t be surprised if our Magical Talking Hat sprinkles in a bit of whimsy to make your day extra Magical! Visit the Hat throughout the day in the Opera House.
Quidditch
Do you have what it takes to catch the golden prize in flight? Non-magical Quidditch is fun for everyone. Join the Lumos Quidditch team from Loyola University and learn to play the muggle way!
Cosplay
Cape, cowl, or feathers, everyone has a desire to become their favorite character! Whether book, film, or TV, there’s no limit to the fantastical costumes you’ll see parading around the Square. Will you be one of them?
It’s A Full Day of Fun at Witches & Wizards of Woodstock
This all-ages event features the magical talking hat, the Loyola University Quidditch squad, a fantasy-themed trivia contest, scavenger hunts, live music, games, crafts, shopping, amazing food, and all manner of entertainment.
- Scavenger Hunts
- Quidditch
- Magical Talking Hat
- Performance Stage
- The Owlery
- Crafts & Trivia
- Magician
- Photo Opportunities
New This Year!
Performances
STAGE SCHEDULE:
CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING GREAT ACTS ON THE NEW PERFORMANCE STAGE!
12:00pm – Earle the Escape Artist
12:30pm – Living Chess featuring the WHS & WNHS Theater Departments
1:15pm – Merry UkuLadies
2:00 pm – Living Chess: The Rematch
2:45pm – Earle the Escape Artist
3:00pm – Costume Contest
3:30pm – Earle the Escape Artist – Finale
DAY OF EVENT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
& UPDATES
Due to unforeseeable circumstances, our friend Hagrid will not be able to join us this year. He plans on being here next year. With the Old Courthouse building under construction, the Smallish Bedroom Under the Spiral Staircase is unavailable this year.
A huge thank you and shout out to the Woodstock High School and Woodstock North High School Theatre Department students and support staff who are performing Living Chess for us while also getting ready for their productions of CLUE and Puffs at the same time.
In addition to the terrific food trucks on the event map, two additional food trucks are available—La Humita on Wheels and My Funnel Truck.
Reminder—the participating businesses are where you’ll find the Scavenger Hunt Items, so make sure to check them all out!
Witches & Wizards Activities
Witches & Wizards of Woodstock is taking place Sunday, October 23, 2022 from Noon until 4 pm.
All events listed are scheduled to run from 12 pm until 4 pm, although times of individual events may vary throughout the day.
For locations, please check the schedule below and join in on the fun!
ADDITIONAL VENDOR ACTIVITIES
Map # |
Merchant/Vendor |
Go there for… |
|
1 |
Apple Creek Flowers |
Onsite fortune teller! Mystical air plants, gifts for owl lovers and much more! |
|
2 |
MD Trains |
Satisfy all your railroading dreams at MD Trains, with trains and miniatures in all scales. |
|
3 |
Silver Prairie Natural Soap Company |
Bath bombs, lotions, body butters, scrubs and other natural skin care products. |
|
4 |
GriffoNest Games |
Woodstock’s gaming store! Featuring Magic, Dungeons & Dragons, Pokemon and board games of all sorts. |
|
5 |
Cesaroni’s Deli |
Premier sandwiches and salads, made with the finest Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. |
|
6 |
Moose Lodge |
Kids crafts and activities. Hot dogs, chips, macaroni salad and soda. |
|
7 |
Casting Whimsey Tea |
Magic tea! Your source for handcrafted, organic, loose leaf tea blends. Alpacas! |
|
8 |
Warp Corps |
Coffee, skateboards and skateboard supplies, cool clothes with a hippie vibe. |
|
9 |
REMAX/Plaza |
Your local resource for finding the home of your dreams! |
|
10 |
Down 2 Earth |
Crystals, tarot cards, incense, jewelry, dragons and fairies! |
|
11 |
Anime & Things |
Licensed Harry Potter merchandise, anime, pop culture items, graphic novels and more. |
|
12 |
Read Between the Lynes |
Wizardly treats and a fabulous independent book store with candy, coffee and chocolate. |
|
13 |
Woodstock Opera House |
Trivia, The Seeping Kettle (with tasty snacks and drinks), and a tarot card reader. |
|
14 |
Stage Left Café |
The Hat! Also, a Sword in the Stone photo opportunity. |
|
15 |
Home State Bank |
Photo opportunity—The Wizards Bank! |
|
16 |
Theater Troupes |
WHS and WNHS Theater swag, with merch from, and info about, their upcoming productions of CLUE and Puffs. |
|
117 |
Breakout Box Escape Room |
A 15-minute escape room for 2-5 people. |
|
18 |
El Tacos Feliz |
Tacos, burritos, nachos and more. |
|
19 |
Serna’s Grill |
Italian beef, gyros, monster fries and more. |
|
20 |
Woodstock Rotary |
Learn about Rotary and about Rotary Internationals effort to eradicate polio. |
|
21 |
Spellbound Hippies |
Fantastical and bewitching picture frames, small furniture items and more. |
|
22 |
Ashes to Ashes Alchemy |
Magic wands and crystal candleholders. |
|
23 |
Gracie’s Kitchen |
Home Cooking—from a food truck! |
|
24 |
Stix and Noodles |
BBQ stix, chicken adobo, lumpia and more. |
|
25 |
Whimsey Winkles |
Handmade fantasy crafts! Mini witch hats, floral fantasy headpieces, fantasy pendants and pins. Leather monster purses and more. |
|
26 |
Tamara’s Artistry |
Henna body art, face paining and pencil wands with personality. |
|
27 |
Woodstock PRIDE |
Promoting diversity, cultural integration, and self-celebration of LGBTQIA+ persons, families, and businesses. |
|
28 |
Smiley’s BBQ |
Mouth-watering BBQ creations. |
|
29 |
Girl Scouts Potowatomi Service Unit |
Crafts to create and WWoW-themed iron on patches. Learn about Girl Scouts and how to join! |
|
30 |
Huntley’s Tacos Locos |
Tacos, burritos, churros and more. |
|
|
La Humita on Wheels |
Hot sandwiches, tacos and more, all with an Ecuadorian twist. |
|
|
My Funnel Truck |
Funnel cakes and other tasty treats. |
The Owlery
Visit the Owlery and learn about our silent friends in flight! Where do they live? What do they eat? Can they really turn their heads around like Magic?!
Meet owls, hawks and other raptors courtesy of our friends at the McHenry County Conservation District.
Where: In the Park on the Square
Magical Talking Hat
Step right up and stand under the Magical Talking Hat to get a prediction. Predictions are its specialty, but don’t be surprised if the Magical Talking Hat sprinkles in a bit of whimsy too!
Where: Stage Left Café
Magical Talking Hat
Step right up and stand under the Magical Talking Hat to get a prediction. Predictions are its specialty, but don’t be surprised if the Magical Talking Hat sprinkles in a bit of whimsy too!
Where: Stage Left Café
Quidditch
Non-magical Quidditch is fun for everyone. Join the Lumos Quidditch team from Loyola University and learn how to play the muggle way!
Where: In the Park on the Square
PERFORMANCE STAGE
New this year! We’ll have several awesome live performances on our outdoor stage, including a Living Chess match.
12:00pm Earle the Escape Artist
12:30pm Living Chess (WHS & WNHS Theater Depts)
1:15pm Merry UkuLadies
2:00pm Living Chess — The Rematch
2:45pm Earle the Escape Artist
3:00pm Costume Contest
3:30pm Earle the Escape Artist — Finale
Where: Northeast corner of the Square
PERFORMANCE STAGe
New this year! We’ll have several awesome live performances on our outdoor stage, including a Living Chess match.
12:00pm Earle the Escape Artist
12:30pm Living Chess (WHS & WNHS Theater Depts)
1:15pm Merry UkuLadies
2:00pm Living Chess — The Rematch
2:45pm Earle the Escape Artist
3:00pm Costume Contest
3:30pm Earle the Escape Artist — Finale
Where: Northeast corner of the Square
Trivia
Are you a fantasy expert? Can you stand up to the best in Woodstock? Enjoy this free family-friendly trivia and share your knowledge or compare notes with others in this year’s trivia contest! Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers!
When: There will be two trivia sessions: One at 1:00pm and one at 2:00pm.
Where: Stage Left Café
Trivia
Are you a fantasy expert? Can you stand up to the best in Woodstock? Enjoy this free family-friendly trivia and share your knowledge or compare notes with others in this year’s trivia contest! Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers!
When: There will be two trivia sessions: One at 1:00pm and one at 2:00pm.
Where: Stage Left Café
Scavenger Hunts
As you explore the square, don’t forget to pick up free scavenger hunt forms at the information booths. Be on the lookout for unique objects and cosplayers to win a free prize.
Where: In and Around the Square and our retail partners
Kid's Crafts
The library is sponsoring free crafts for kids of all ages!
There will be four different crafts available for people to make: black cats, snowy owls, night sky bats, and witches on brooms
Where: Spring House on the Square
Kid's Crafts
The library is sponsoring free crafts for kids of all ages!
There will be four different crafts available for people to make: black cats, snowy owls, night sky bats, and witches on brooms
Where: Spring House on the Square
Photo Opportunities
Did you know that there are free photo opportunities? Snag a photo from the bedroom under the stairs, stand in front of a Dementor, or visit the Wizard Bank. Be on the look out for wandering characters and snap a selfie to remember who you met on the streets of Witches & Wizards of Woodstock!
Don’t forget to tag the library on social media at @wpl_library and #WWoW
Where: The Opera House, Stage Left Café, Home State Bank, and In and Around the Square
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