Harry Potter and the Magical Muggle Museum

Sun., Nov. 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free with $6-$10 admission, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St., 215-898-4890, museum.upenn.edu.

by Lauren Seibert

[ kids, etc. ]

The world may be made of Muggles, but for one day, we can defy our fate. This third annual festival brings the wizarding world to life: Visitors can play Quidditch on the lawn (sans broomstick, in case you were wincing), attempt O.W.L. exams, design wands, duel in a Muggle Wii game, and even walk though a life-size re-creation of Diagon Alley. The details of the 20 storefronts, from Gilderoy Lockhart's books to chocolates in the candy shop, took three years to complete. A series of lectures covering Latin spells, 2012 premonitions and Etruscan divination will also be offered to tempt adults — not that they need it. Louise Krasniewicz, an anthropology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is more than happy to attend. "This year my students coerced me into being Umbridge," she says. "I'm not sure that says something nice about me."

Sun., Nov. 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free with $6-$10 admission, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St., 215-898-4890, museum.upenn.edu.