New Year's Greetings from the British Ministry of Magic

Notice from the British Ministry of Magic

To all witches and wizards:

As the hourglass of time turns once more, the year 2024 of the magical calendar draws to a close. The British Ministry of Magic extends its sincerest New Year’s greetings to every member of our magical community! Let us bid farewell to the past year together and infuse our hopes and magic into a brand-new future.

To celebrate the arrival of the New Year, the Ministry of Magic hereby announces that at exactly midnight on January 1, 2025, Big Ben will, by special authorization of the Ministry, briefly cast a Lumos charm to illuminate the New Year alongside the chimes of the Muggle world. Please act with caution and ensure that no Muggles detect anything unusual.

At the same time, we would like to remind all witches and wizards of the following:

New Year’s Eve Etiquette: Whether you are attending a ball, a banquet, or a small gathering in Hogsmeade, please use magic responsibly. Avoid excessive use of fireworks charms or summoning charms due to over-excitement, which may disturb your neighbors.

Traffic Safety First: Broomstick traffic will be heavy on New Year’s Eve. Please ensure you fly in accordance with all aviation regulations, particularly in low-altitude areas, to avoid collisions with fireworks or Muggle aircraft.

Use Time-Turners with Caution: A reminder to all wizards in possession of a Time-Turner: it is strictly forbidden to use them to repeat the New Year’s countdown! Violators will be subject to a rigorous investigation by the Department of Mysteries.

Furthermore, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures wishes to remind you that during the New Year’s festivities, magical creatures such as Thunderbirds and Thestrals are sensitive to pyrotechnic noises. Please prepare soothing charms or noise-reduction spells for your pets. Should you discover any lost animals, please contact the Ministry of Magic immediately.

Finally, a New Year’s message from the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class, President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, the greatest wizard of the 21st century, and Minister for Magic of Great Britain, Byrne Morris:

"The chimes of the New Year represent not only the passing of time but a new beginning for every witch and wizard. May the challenges of the past be transformed into the magic of the future, and may new dreams guide our path forward. May peace, unity, and love continue to guard every corner of our magical world!"

May 2025 bring you prosperity, magic, and endless wonders!

Happy New Year! Wishing you happiness in the year ahead!

Secretariat of the British Ministry of Magic
December 31, 2024