The Great Hall

> It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting... The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight... Harry looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars... It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open on to the heaven.
>
> Description of the Great Hall, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

The **Great Hall** in the Hogwarts Castle was the main gathering area in the school, which was located off the Entrance Hall. It was a large hall where students and teachers dined and congregated. Three meals a day were hosted in this hall.

### Location

Ground floor, Hogwarts Castle, Scotland, Great Britain

The Great Hall was the main place where students received their meals and daily owl post. They also held certain special events, such as the Sorting Ceremony, and the Hallowe'en Feast.
The large hall had enough space to hold every student, as well as the main staff and guests. The Hall had tall walls that reached up to the ceiling, which was covered with floating candles and enchanted to look like the sky above.

## Description

 File:Great hall.jpg
The Great Hall was a large hall with four long tables where students of each House sat during the day and at mealtimes. The staff table was at the front, where the entire Hogwarts staff sat. There was a throne-like chair in the centre of the table where the current Headmaster or Headmistress sat. The ceiling of the Great Hall was covered with candles and it was enchanted to look like the sky above. To the left of the table was a door which led to a chamber with portraits.
From the staff table, the House tables were as follows (from left to right): Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin.
During the Hallowe'en feast, the hall was festooned with sweets-filled pumpkins, bats, orange streamers, water snakes and many other Hallowe'en-related decorations. At Christmas, before and during the holidays, twelve large Christmas trees were placed around the room.

## Events

### Start-of-Term Feast

Main article: Start-of-Term Feast
 File:1995 Welcoming feast 1.jpg
The Start-of-Term Feast was a traditional part of the school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, held in the Great Hall. The gathering was held on the evening of 1 September, following the arrival of the students from the Hogwarts Express. The Sorting ceremony was held at the beginning, before the Headteacher made their announcement and commenced the meal.

### Hallowe'en feast

Main article: Hallowe'en feast
 File:Hallowe'en Feast.jpg
The Hallowe'en feast at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry occured on 31 October every year. The Great Hall was decorated with Hallowe'en decor, such as sweet-filled pumpkins, bats, orange streamers and water snakes. At the end, there was entertainment, such as the ghosts of Hogwarts popping up out of the wall and performing formation gliding.
It was a highly anticipated feast which most Hogwarts students looked forward to every year.

### Christmas feast

Main article: Christmas feast
 File:Christmas feast at Hogwarts.jpg
The Christmas Feast was held on Christmas Day. It was attended by the teachers and any student who had chosen to remain at Hogwarts over the Christmas Holidays. The feast was prepared by the house-elves in the kitchens, and consisted of a hundred fat, roast turkeys, mountains of roasted and boiled potatoes, platters of fat chipolatas, tureens of buttered peas, silver boats of thick, rich gravy and cranberry sauce.
For dessert, flaming Christmas puddings were served, with silver sickles hidden within the pudding. There were also surprise firecrackers, which, when popped, gave forth a gift.

### Duelling Club

Main article: Duelling Club
 File:B2C11M2 Great Hall Duelling Club.png
On 17 December 1992, Professor Lockhart created the duelling club when the Chamber of Secrets was opened. He was given permission by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore to teach students how to duel, in an attempt to help them learn to protect themselves. Lockhart was joined by Professor Snape, who worked as his assistant. In 1996, the Gryffindor Duelling Club held their gatherings in the Great Hall.

### End-of-Term Feast

Main article: End-of-Term Feast
 File:B1C17M3 Gryffindor winning the House Cup.jpg
The End-of-Term Feast (or Leaving Feast) was a traditional part of the school year at Hogwarts, held in the Great Hall. It occured on the last night of the term; the Feast was notable for including the awarding of the House Cup to the house with the highest points.

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