AUSTIN, Texas — If you’re looking for something magical to see this Halloween, look no further than Diagon Alley ATX. For years, Austinite Joel Pace has been transforming his South Austin home into the wizarding world of "Harry Potter."
“One year, we decided to do a little 'Harry Potter' decorations for Halloween. But then my wife was diagnosed with cancer and to cheer her up, I decided to kind of go a little bit nuts for the decorations that took off," Pace said. "And it sort of just spun out of control ever since."
Now thousands flock to his house each year to see recreations of some of their favorite places in the "Harry Potter" universe. Pace said in years past, people have waited hours in line just to walk up and see it. On special occasions, the house also gives out special treats, like butterbeer ice cream.
Putting together this whole world doesn’t come without hard work. Pace said this year, construction for the project started back in April, when he began working on the new and improved Hogwarts Express.
Also new this year is his re-creation of the Leaky Cauldron, open on select nights, and the Owlery building in the Hogwarts Castle complex.
Pace said some friends help him put together the displays occasionally, but 95% of the time, he's the only one behind the project. A large majority of the decorations, he said, are made completely out of pink foam.
But the festivities don’t just stop at Halloween. This "Harry Potter" world stays up all the way until January. In just a few weeks, the display will be turned into a Christmas-themed "Harry Potter" world.
“We’ll have a Yule Ball theme and all the lights, and the Christmas trees and the music shows and all of that,” Pace said. “It’ll be phenomenal.”
While the decorations are fun, the funds also help support children in the Austin area.
“After my wife recovered, we had a bunch of, you know, family, friends and people in the neighborhood want us to continue it. And we decided to use it for a good cause and start raising money for certain charities that we support,” Pace said.
If you're interested in donating, you can Venmo @DiagonAlleyATX. The money will go towards three charities: Foster Angels of Central Texas, Variety Texas and the ZACH Theatre.
Diagon Alley ATX is located in the Vintage Place neighborhood in Circle C. The closest cross streets are Slaughter Lane and Bungalow, and Pace said once you get there, you can’t miss it.
For more information on Diagon Alley ATX and to keep updated with the building process, you can visit their Facebook page.