Start-of-Term Feast

The Welcoming Feast was and presumably is a traditional part of the school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, held in the Great Hall. Held on the first night following the arrival of the students on the Hogwarts Express, the Welcoming Feast was notable for including the Sorting of all new students into their houses.

The Welcoming Feast is held in the Great Hall, and is attended by every student, and teacher of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft And Wizardry, except that of Argus Filch, who generally didn't attend, perhaps over envy of his inability to do magic as he was a Squib and the Great Hall was decorated magically, with a ceiling enchanted to look like the sky, and the many floating candles.

During the Feast, thousands of golden plates are set on the four House tables, and filled with food after the Headmaster finishes his announcements, and is likewise, emptied when the Feast is complete.

The Welcoming Feast was also used to introduce new members of the faculty to the student body, and to pass out important announcements and messages concerning the new school year. This is usually done by the Headmaster. The Headmaster may also choose to say a few words during this time, such as in 1991, when Albus Dumbledore told the students, "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

In Harry Potter's first year, the school song was sung after announcements were made. It was, however, not continued in the subsequent years.

Behind the scenes

 * In the film flim version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Hogwarts Choir was seen singing the song Something Wicked This Way Comes conducted by Professor Flitwick, though it is not shown in the book itself.
 * In the film version of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the candidates from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are introduced during the Welcoming Feast.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)