Test your wit, teamwork, and magical aptitude as you unravel puzzles, engage with live characters, and uncover Kingston’s arcane secrets. Along the way, you’ll explore hidden portals, test your magical abilities, and step into a whimsical world that’s been waiting for you all along. Whether you’re a first-year spellcaster or a seasoned arcane sleuth, the city itself becomes the game board. Will you uncover the truth and earn your place at the Academy? Your letter finally arrived. The time has come. Wands out. ❓ What is this event? Hunt of Kingston: Magic Academy is a city-wide immersive scavenger hunt—part puzzle game, part adventure, part costume party. Teams (or solo adventurers) explore downtown Kingston to solve clues, complete magical Orientation Trials, and interact with live characters from the mysterious Magic Academy. Think: escape rooms + live theater + fantasy LARP, all wrapped in a magical school mystery. As you journey through the city, you’ll activate portals, uncover magical lore, and inch closer to the final, hidden entrance of the Academy itself. 🎟️ How much do tickets cost? - $45 – General Admission - $25 – Youth Ticket (ages 10–17) Each player receives: - A custom Hunt map - Access to all magical trials - Entry into the secret magic school ceremony - Access to the secret after after party Sliding scale tickets and community access options are available upon request. 🔮 How do teams work? Each Guild (team) is capped at 7 players to keep things magical and manageable. You can: - Register a full team of up to 7 friends - Come solo or in a small group and be matched with others - Choose to adventure solo (some challenges will invite interaction, even if you go it alone!) Solo adventurers will have access to: - A Solo Adventurer Hub for teaming up and trading tips - A group chat for spontaneous collaborations There’s no wrong way to play—some people go all in, others just enjoy the vibes and solve a few puzzles. All paths are valid. ⚡ Do I need to prepare anything ahead of time? Bring: - A charged phone (for map access and riddles) - A small pouch or bag for clues and magical items -Comfortable walking shoes - A pen & notepad (for decoding clues!) - A costume! Whether you're an aspiring wizard, chaos mage, potionmistress, or just enchantedly stylish, show up dressed for magical orientation. A full Packing List & Arrival Clue will arrive the night before the event. 🎭 Do I get to wear a costume? YES! Dressing up is half the fun—and helps open the magical portals. We’ll have prizes for various things, including: 💝 Best Team Costume 🦄 Best Individual Costume 🧙 Most Transformative Character And More! You don’t need to go full cosplay—just add a few mystical touches and join the spell. 🔎 Where does the Hunt begin? Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401. From there, you’re off to begin Orientation. 🕒 What’s the schedule? 🗓 Saturday September 6th, 2025 – Uptown Kingston, NY 11:30am–12:00pm – Pick up materials & begin questing 12:00–6:00pm – Open exploration of trials and puzzles 6:00–8:00pm – Final Gathering: Reveal & Magical Honors Ceremony 9:00pm - Midnight: Very Secret After After Party 👉 Play as little or as much as you want: - Want to solve the main mystery? Plan for 3 hours - Want to complete every challenge? Stay all day! - Want to vibe in costume and solve one riddle? Perfect. 🫶 How much walking is involved? - Most players clock between 2,500–10,000 steps throughout the day, with rest stops and sit-down encounters along the way. If you or someone in your group needs a low-impact route, just let us know—we’ll customize a magical path for your pace. 🏫 What’s the story? For years, a secret Academy of Magic has operated just beyond the veil of Kingston’s everyday world. Some say it exists in another dimension. Others claim it’s hidden in plain sight. Now, magical portals are beginning to appear. You’ve received your invitation—lost in the mail for who knows how long—and the Orientation Trials have begun. Solve clues, complete trials, and unlock the final portal to the school’s Welcoming Ceremony. But beware: things aren't exactly what they seem... 🕵️‍♂️ What kind of challenges will there be? Expect a magical mix of: - Mental puzzles and riddles - Live scenes with Academy staff and magical beings - Physical trials and enchanted games Creative challenges like spellwriting or crafting fae offerings Every challenge is optional. There’s no wrong way to be magical. ✨Do I have to win to have fun? Not at all. The Hunt is about wonder, exploration, and imagination. We honor and reward: - Curiosity - Collaboration - Commitment to your magical persona - Creative approaches to problem-solving No pressure. Just play. 🧒 Is this event family-friendly? Magic Academy is designed with older kids, teens, and grown-up adventurers in mind. Most puzzles and performances are best suited for ages 11 and up. Some mature themes may be present—think enchanted sleep potions, bureaucratic mischief, and shadowy professors. Families are welcome, but: - Children under 10 may find it challenging - Anyone under 18 must be supervised by a guardian at all times - This is not a drop-off event Need help deciding if it’s a good fit for your kiddo? Reach out—we’re happy to help. 🧙 Who’s behind The Hunt of Kingston? This immersive escapade is conjured by: 🌀 Twisted Labyrinth Games Mind-bending puzzles, immersive storylines, and live-action game design by Brian T. Lawton and his team. 🌕 The Wilde Hunt Hudson Valley-based creators of folklore-rich scavenger hunts and site-specific quests that spark community magic. 🧸 The Wayfinder Experience A queer-led LARP and storytelling collective empowering players of all ages to explore identity, agency, and collaborative world-building. Together, we’ve built the magic school we always wanted—an inclusive, joyful, deeply weird place where everyone belongs. Note: We grew up hooked on a certain lightning scar, round glasses wizard. We also know that the magic belongs to us, not its author. Magic Academy is proudly queer-affirming, radically welcoming, and open to all who seek wonder, whimsy, and weirdness.