For a single night, Britta and Glen Peterson transformed their San Jose home into the magical world of Harry Potter, inviting hundreds to step into the Wizarding World. Every Halloween, the couple transforms their yard to reflect a new theme, but this year's concept - taken straight from the beloved book series - was particularly elaborate.
Visitors were treated to an immersive experience that included costumes, decorations, and even special effects, all set amidst the Petersons' charming Victorian home. The event ran for 12 nights and drew an average of 500 attendees per night, with tickets sold out in advance as the couple worked towards raising $25,000 for the nonprofit Give Kids The World Village.
This year's festivities featured a themed setting complete with Hogwarts-style architecture, Quidditch-themed lawn games, and even a visit from Professor McGonagall herself. According to Britta Peterson, one of the key aspects of their holiday display was creating an atmosphere that allowed visitors to tap into their inner child.
The couple's efforts paid off as numerous families, including those from Mountain View and Santa Clara, reported that visiting the home had brought out a sense of joy in them. Leo Fedorov and Sabina Nasibullina, for example, noted that donning Harry Potter costumes had activated a kinder side within them.
In addition to spreading happiness among visitors, the Petersons also prioritized safety by partnering with local fire departments to distribute glowsticks throughout their lawn. This initiative was part of an effort to reduce accidents during peak Halloween season.
With this year's event marking five years of partnership between the Petersons and San Jose Fire Department, they have distributed a total of 10,000 glowsticks since starting the program.
Visitors were treated to an immersive experience that included costumes, decorations, and even special effects, all set amidst the Petersons' charming Victorian home. The event ran for 12 nights and drew an average of 500 attendees per night, with tickets sold out in advance as the couple worked towards raising $25,000 for the nonprofit Give Kids The World Village.
This year's festivities featured a themed setting complete with Hogwarts-style architecture, Quidditch-themed lawn games, and even a visit from Professor McGonagall herself. According to Britta Peterson, one of the key aspects of their holiday display was creating an atmosphere that allowed visitors to tap into their inner child.
The couple's efforts paid off as numerous families, including those from Mountain View and Santa Clara, reported that visiting the home had brought out a sense of joy in them. Leo Fedorov and Sabina Nasibullina, for example, noted that donning Harry Potter costumes had activated a kinder side within them.
In addition to spreading happiness among visitors, the Petersons also prioritized safety by partnering with local fire departments to distribute glowsticks throughout their lawn. This initiative was part of an effort to reduce accidents during peak Halloween season.
With this year's event marking five years of partnership between the Petersons and San Jose Fire Department, they have distributed a total of 10,000 glowsticks since starting the program.
️! It's great that they created an immersive experience for hundreds of people to tap into their inner child and have some fun 
. And I'm so impressed by their generosity - $25,000 raised for Give Kids The World Village is amazing 
. Plus, it's awesome to see the safety aspect being prioritized with glowsticks from the fire department 
. It just goes to show that Halloween can be a time for magic and joy, not just frights and scares 
.
️ Man, it's crazy how much magic Britta and Glen Peterson brought to their home this Halloween 
That's what Halloween is all about! But what really gets me is how they're using this as an opportunity to raise money for a great cause – Give Kids The World Village 
. It's not just about the magic of Harry Potter; it's about spreading joy and kindness, one glowstick at a time 
. Can we get more people like Britta and Glen doing this? Please!
. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's nice to see people having fun and using their creativity, but can't we focus on more practical things instead of just indulging in some nostalgic fantasy? 
. Like, come on, $25,000 for a charity event? That's some serious cash right there 
.
. And hey, if their events can bring out that kind of joy in people, then I suppose it's worth it. Just don't expect me to trade in my plain old Halloween costume for some fancy Hogwarts robes anytime soon 
.
i loved their harry potter themed party at their home! it sounds like such a magical experience for the hundreds who got to attend. i think it's awesome that britta and glen were able to bring so much joy to people, especially families with kids. it's amazing how something as simple as a costume can tap into our inner child and make us feel happy again 
just heard about that Harry Potter themed house in San Jose and it sounds like a real mixed bag for me... I mean, on one hand its awesome that a couple is using their home to bring joy to hundreds of people and raise some serious cash for charity 
not to mention the environmental impact of all those glowsticks being distributed by local fire departments 
?
. Safety first, right? And I have to give props to Britta and Glen for organizing an event that brings so many families together. That's definitely something to be celebrated 
.
it was so lit!! i mean, who wouldn't wanna be in a real-life hogwarts for one night? the decorations were insane and the special effects were on point 
but what really stood out to me was how it brought back some serious childhood magic for everyone involved 
also props to the petersons for doing something amazing and raising money for a great cause 
. Kudos to Britta and Glen for creating an experience that brings so much joy 
It's truly heartwarming to see how Britta and Glen Peterson have been spreading joy through their magical Harry Potter-themed home, creating an atmosphere that allows people to tap into their inner child. Their efforts are a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life. 
britta and glen's house is literally turning into hogwarts every year and it's becoming the real deal 
guess its working out for them though, $25k for give kids the world village isn't bad either 
. Partnering with the local fire department and distributing glowsticks is a genius move. It shows they care not only about the experience but also about making sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time 
.
!
. I mean, creating an atmosphere that lets people tap into their inner child is such a great idea - who doesn't want to feel like a kid again? 
. I'm definitely going to try and visit their event next year... or every year 
It's great that they're using this as an opportunity to raise money for Give Kids The World Village - it's awesome to see people coming together for a good cause 
.
. I love that they used it as an opportunity to raise money for Give Kids The World Village too - that's just amazing 
It's such a small detail, but it makes all the difference in keeping people safe during Halloween 
. Anywayz, gotta say tho... I love how Britta & Glen Peterson are using their Halloween decorations to give back to the community - that's some next-level kindness 
.
. can't wait to see what theme they do next year!
. The magic of Harry Potter seems to bring out the kid in everyone - who else is excited for this?! 