The Children’s Art Museum of Nepal is organising their annual fundraiser event, the Hogwarts Express, on January 4 at Malpi International College in Baluwatar.

Organisers say the fourth iteration of the event, inspired by the Harry Potter books and movies, has been growing every year. “When we started out in 2017, only 70 people showed up. But last year around 400 people showed up. The event is gaining popularity which has been helpful for us,” says Nistha Shrestha, director at Children’s Art Museum of Nepal.

The Children’s Art Museum Nepal provides children and youth a safe space to express themselves through creative activities that have an educational component to it, says Shrestha. Fundraisers like the Hogwarts Express help the museum fulfil its goal of making art accessible to all children.

“We do art workshops regularly and these events help us take art to children who don’t have the resources to do so. As schools don’t have enough money to host these events, these events along with other donations help us organise these workshops which we also take outside the Valley,” says Shrestha. “This year, the proceeds will go to cancer survivors.”

Like last year’s event, there will be a variety of paid and free activities and games for all. Activities will include making wands, crafting potions, creating charms and other Harry Potter-inspired games. Harry Potter-themed merchandise—from robes, scarves, screen-printed t-shirts and notebooks—will also be on sale.

Participants can also play a round of Quidditch, fill out Harry Potter colouring pages, and make a Lego Hogwarts Castle. The event will also have food counters selling unique Harry Potter-themed food items, like Butter Beer and Chocolate Frog. “People can also buy their own Hogwarts robes at the event,” says Shrestha.

One of the most anticipated activities of the night, however, is the Triwizard Trivia Tournament, where teams will test their knowledge of the books and movies in a quiz competition to see who the biggest Potter-head is. Interested participants, however, will have to register prior to the event.

Tickets for the event are available at Khalti, Children’s Art Museum of Nepal (Hattisar), Flat Iron Grill at Hotel Ambassador (Lainchaur), Malpi International College (Baluwatar), Nana’s Delight (Patan Dhoka) and Sweet Fix (Freak Street).

Starting this year, Children's Art Museum of Nepal is also inviting Harry Potter cosplayers to this event whom event-goers can interact and take pictures with.