Love Holiday Movies? Relive the Magic at These Film Locations! Lauren Saccone December 9, 2024 Arts & History, Destinations, Holiday Travel, Interests One of the best parts of the holiday season is the holiday movies! There’s nothing quite like curling up on the couch with your loved ones — and a giant bowl of popcorn — and relaxing to a classic seasonal flick. These classic films can take you away to charming towns, exciting cities, and glimmering snow-covered mountains to get you in a festive holiday mood. But, here’s an idea. Why not visit these places yourself? If you’re feeling adventurous, why not just turn your holiday movie marathon into an amazing getaway by visiting some of the locations from your favorite festive films? If you’re looking for some ideas, here are a few must-see destinations to experience your favorite Christmas films so you can relive the excitement of a holiday movie marathon like no other! A Christmas Story — Cleveland, Ohio A Christmas Story House by Erik Drost licensed under CC by 2.0 Who can forget A Christmas Story, featuring the classic adventures of Ralphie Parker and his family? Or the deranged rambling’s of Ralphie’s father, Frank, concerning his beloved leg lamp? Well, now you can get up close and personal with the Parkers in the amazingly immersive A Christmas Story House. Restored to its original, unforgettable glory, this house-museum allows fans to experience the actual Parker house and view hundreds of behind-the-scenes props from the film…including the iconic leg lamp itself. Hardcore fans can go a step further and spend a night in the house to dream of a perfect Christmas from the comfort of Ralphie and Frank’s beds – right in the heart of Cleveland. Elf — New York City The Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center by Scott Beale licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 While a lot of this modern-day classic was filmed in Canada, the cast and crew of Elf were sure to hit the Big Apple for some on-location filming. From Buddy’s father’s office at the Empire State Building to Central Park, the film is a veritable goldmine of must-visit New York locales. But our personal pick for a holiday trip is the ever popular Rockefeller Center. Here you can ice skate with your loved ones, take in the giant Christmas tree, and recapture some of the holiday magic that makes Elf such a beloved family film. After all, it’s no secret that booking tickets to New York City for the holidays is a true Christmas classic by itself. So, what’s your excuse for not have a blast here like Buddy did? Miracle on 34th Street — New York City and Chicago Macy’s, 34th Street, New York City The 1947 classic Miracle on 34th Street is a love letter to mid-century New York City. Filmed on location in Manhattan, the movie features scenes at iconic landmarks like Macy’s Herald Square and Central Park, grounding the story in the bustling, festive atmosphere of the Big Apple. The apartment overlooking Central Park, where a Macy’s employee resides, adds to the sense of New York as a city of endless possibility—even if such a home might seem like a holiday fantasy today. By contrast, the 1994 remake shifted its production to Chicago, using the Windy City to reimagine the beloved tale. While Chicago stands in for New York in this version, it brings its own architectural charm and holiday magic to the story. From the festive streets to the impressive cityscapes, the Chicago setting offers a fresh take on the timeless narrative while still capturing the warmth and wonder of the season. Love, Actually – London Somerset House, London We have to confess, we’re utter suckers for Love, Actually, the ultimate romantic Christmas-themed movie. And if you’re heading overseas to London, you can experience some of the charm that made people fall head over heels for Love, Actually. While it might be a challenge to get to Downing Street — and if you do, Hugh Grant probably won’t be dancing through the halls anyway — anyone can make the pilgrimage to Somerset House. It’s got beautiful Christmas decorations, an ice skating rink, and enough delights that even non-hardcore fans will enjoy. White Christmas — Vermont Vermont White Christmas is a holiday classic from 1954. The film is known for its song and dance numbers as well as its explosion of Christmas cheer. An interesting fact about White Christmas, however, is that its most famous setting isn’t actually real. Pine Tree, Vermont is a fictional town, so if you’re looking to capture the magic of the movie…well, you’ll need to direct your sleigh elsewhere. Consider St. Albans for its Festival of Trees or Burlington for its real-life Polar Express. Another great holiday destination is Middlebury, which celebrates Christmas all December long with fireworks, carols, wagon rides, Santa visits, and pop-up ice skating rinks. There’s plenty of choices for you to recreate the magic of Pine Tree. The Holiday — Brentwood, California and Surrey, England Surrey, England The modern cinema classic The Holiday revolves around two women swapping homes for the Christmas season. That’s why the film is split between two locations: the Brentwood neighborhood in Los Angeles and a small English village in Surrey, just outside of London. You can visit many of the spots seen in the film, including the sleepy, snow-covered village of Shere, which becomes absolutely magical during the holidays. Los Angeles has a very different vibe in December, but you can still celebrate with events like the Snow ‘n’ Glow Holiday Festival. Another great L.A. destination is Holiday Road, a pedestrian walking path that comprises everything from an elf village to a real-life Gingerbread Lane. It’s a Wonderful Life — Seneca Falls, New York Howell in Feb by Joshua Young licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 Another undisputable holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life premiered in 1946. The film is set in the fictional Bedford Falls, but most film historians agree that this fictional town was based on New York’s Seneca Falls. You can visit this beautiful destination today if you’re into the vintage charm of small historic towns. The Seneca Falls Historic District is a must-see with its 18th century offices and churches. When you’re done seeing the local sights, you can use Seneca Falls as a base camp for further travel to places like Cayuga Lake State Park. The Homecoming – Schuyler, Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains Originally aired in 1971, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story is a made-for-TV staple. It follows the Waltons, a wholesome family living in rural Virginia during the Great Depression, and their search for their father when he’s late coming home on Christmas Eve. The movie proved so popular that it gave rise to the classic TV show, The Waltons, which ran for nine seasons in the ’70s and early ’80s. At one point in The Homecoming, John Boy, the eldest son, hunts through the Blue Ridge Mountains with his grandfather searching for the family Christmas tree. The Blue Ridge Mountains have become quite popular with modern adventurers, where they can go climbing, camping, hiking, biking, and more. Other things to do in Schuyler include visiting the Quarry Gardens or signing up for a tour with the Crozet Trolley. And of course, if you’re a devoted fan of The Waltons, you can’t leave without visiting the Walton’s Mountain Museum, home to countless memorabilia from the series. You May Also Like: Holiday Highlights: Discover the World’s Most Spectacular Christmas Trees! Home Alone — Chicago, Illinois Home Alone house, Winnetka, Illinois The bulk of Home Alone takes place in a single Chicago house, which is only fitting given the movie’s premise: a little boy cleverly defending his home from burglars. Although you’ll need to travel to Winnetka — also in Illinois — to see the authentic house of Kevin McCallister, you will find dozens of seasonal events and attractions in the Windy City. The biggest is probably Christkindlmarket, the German-themed market that springs up every December. But there are plenty of others as well. Go ice skating in Millennium Park. Catch a showing of The Nutcracker at the Civic Opera House. Hit up places like the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Morton Arboretum to see dazzling LED displays of holiday lights. Plenty of reasons to visit Chicago for the holiday season, don’t you think? FAQs: Q: Do I need to book in advance for popular attractions? A: Advance booking is highly recommended, especially for spots like Rockefeller Center’s ice skating rink or Chicago’s Christkindlmarket, which can get crowded during the holidays. Q: Are the holiday decorations from the movies recreated at the locations? A: Some locations, like the Rockefeller Center or Somerset House, naturally evoke their movie magic, while others, such as Schuyler, Virginia, may have themed exhibits or events. Q: Are these destinations family-friendly? A: Many destinations, like the Blue Ridge Mountains and Burlington, Vermont, offer activities for all ages, from festive parades to outdoor adventures. Q: Are there accessible options for visitors with mobility issues? A: Yes, many attractions, like museums and city landmarks, offer accessibility options. Check ahead for specific accommodations, especially in rural or historic areas. Q: Can I visit these locations year-round, or only during the holidays? A: Most locations are open year-round, but holiday-specific events and decorations are limited to the festive season, typically from late November to early January. What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Tell us about it in the comments below!
