Imagine having the creativity (and a touch of wizardry) to transform your own home into the grand Hogwarts Castle? Each year, the Pace family in south Austin dresses up their front yard in Harry Potter-themed splendor to delight kids of all ages who pass by. Known as Diagon Alley ATX, this private residential home looks like an amazing scene out of a Harry Potter film. As noted on the official Facebook page for this unique project, as you drive by you can view “floating pumpkins, The Great Hall, The Astronomy Tower, The Marble Staircase Tower, and the new Bell Tower (Cargill Hall). On most weekends the new “Hogwarts Castle Window” will come to life with different moving scenes…floating pumpkins that move, a roaring fire in the Gryffindor Common Room and other scenes.”

When & Where: Because this is a family’s home, they do not wish to share their exact address, but the cross streets are Slaughter Lane and Bungalow Lane in South Austin. The decorations are scheduled to be complete on Oct. 28, in time for Halloween. They will stay up through mid-November, but then change into a Holiday Yule Ball decor. Lights will be on display on weeknights until 8:30 p.m, and lights-out on weekends will be 9:30 p.m.

• DO enjoy the display from the street. For safety reasons do not come onto the property.
• DO wear a mask while near the property. One of the owners is a cancer survivor and requests that all health and safety requests are respected if you should ever be walking by or out of your vehicle.
• DO remember to drive slowly and watch for kids on bikes and skateboards.
• DO consider making a donation. The homeowners are using this opportunity to collect donations for some local charities that are important to them, including: Foster Angels of Central Texas, Variety Texas, and ZACH Theatre. To make a donation, you can Venmo: @DiagonAlleyAtx or visit their GoFundMe page.
• DON’T feel the need to rush over on Halloween. The display will be up for several weeks afterwards, and they would prefer to avoid an increase in any car traffic that day for the safety of children trick-or-treating. Additionally, the homeowners ask that you do not visit on Oct. 30 because the neighborhood is having a private event starting at 2pm and streets will be blocked off.
  

Special Photo Opportunity: Professional photographer Casey Chapman Ross will be onsite at Diagon Alley ATX on October 29 and 31 offering sessions from 6-8 p.m. For anyone who donates $30 or more, you will receive an original digital keepsake. Click here to sign up for a timed photo session.

Learn much more about Diagon Alley ATX by following on Facebook and Instagram @DiagonAlleyATX.