Wizarding Weekend Conjures Up Family Fun In Beverly and Morgan Park

CHICAGO – Something wonderful is coming to Chicago’s Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood this week, and you won’t want to miss a magical moment of the fun.

The Beverly/Morgan Park Wizarding Weekend is a celebration for fans of a certain famous bespectacled boy with a lightening-bolt scar. Activities will be offered at the community’s businesses, restaurants, and institutions Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 24. Nearly 50 community partners are putting the abracadabra into staging all-ages activities, specialty shopping, family feasting, and more.

Open Outcry Brewing Co., 10934 S. Western, will kick off the festivities with a Halfway to Christmas feast on Thursday, July 21; purchase tickets in advance at Brown Paper Tickets.

The trivia night #3 magical playoff will be held at 7 p.m. Friday July 22 and Cork & Kerry Tavern, 10614 S. Western.

Chicago Public Library Beverly Branch, 1962 W. 95th St., will add a little hocus pocus to their events with a Wand Making Workshop for ages 10 and up, from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 21; and Brewing Up a Magical Storytime for children up to age 5, Sat., July 23, 10:30 a.m. Info: 312-747-9673 or beverly@chipublib.org.

Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., presents a Magical Movie Marathon, showing all eight of the Harry Potter films, Thurs., July 21 through Sun., July 24. Patrons can purchase a pass for all eight films or buy tickets to individual screenings at the BAC.

Horse Thief Hollow Brewpub, 10426 S Western, will serve up the Hogs Head Hollow brunch featuring a spellbinding menu with specialty brews on Friday, July 22, Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24. Advance reservations recommended.

Festive activities will be offered throughout the community Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24. Look for fantastical fun, all manner of illusions and alchemy throughout the neighborhood. Check-in to receive your FREE Wizarding Weekend map of all participating sites and activities, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 23 at Morgan Park Academy, Alumni Hall, 2153 W. 111th St.

Morgan Park Academy will also host lessons and a game by Lumos, the Loyola University Chicago quidditch team, Saturday, July 23. The schedule includes entertaining magical classes, a visit with exotic creatures, and live magic shows on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24, at the Givins Beverly Castle (Beverly Unitarian Church), 10244 S. Longwood Dr.

On Saturday, July 23, grown-ups are invited Wizard’s Ball with live Celtic music and potent beverages at Barney Callaghan’s Pub, 10618 S. Western.

Visit BAPA Wizarding Weekend for a schedule of events and more detailed information. The Wizarding Weekend is co-sponsored by Beverly Area Planning Association, 19th Ward Office, Beverly Arts Center, Morgan Park Academy, Beverly Bank & Trust, Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association, the 95th Street Business Association and a host of businesses and institutions.