12 Scenes of Christmas! Christmas Movie Filming Locations You Can Visit Now!

Twelve Christmas Movie Filming Locations You Can Visit Now!

By Erik Nachtrieb, SetJetters Founder

Embark on a magical journey to real-life Christmas movie locations with the SetJetters guide to 12 Christmas Movie Locations You Can Visit Now!

From the chaotic hilarity of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to the heartwarming (and possibly problematic!) tales of Love Actually to the whimsical charm of Elf, these cinematic wonders aren't confined to the realm of make-believe. You can pack your bags and visit these real-life settings that served as the backdrop for some of your favorite holiday films.

Get ready to experience the magic and nostalgia of the holiday season, in person. For the exact film scene locations and insights into what else you can experience at these locations, check out the SetJetters film location mobile app available in your app store.

Explore Christmas and then explore your world through your favorite movie scenes.

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

The Perfect Christmas Tree in Colorado

Head to hole three on the Breckenridge Golf Clubs’ Bear Range to follow in the Griswolds’ frozen footsteps as they hike through the winter wonderland of Breckenridge, Colorado to find the perfect Christmas tree. However, when the production arrived to film, there was no snow! Fortunately, this area of Colorado really is a winter wonderland and it snowed 3 meters (10 feet) just as the film began to shoot.

Not too far away on Tiger Road, Clark Griswold’s (Chevy Chase) Ford Country Squire Wagon launches into the Christmas tree lot. In this opening scene, the Griswolds are traveling on Colorado State Highway 9, just outside Silverthorne which is 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Breckenridge.

This area of the Rocky Mountains is a favorite for those who love to ski, go snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or go sledding - as Clark did and ended up in nearby Frisco’s Walmart parking lot. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Trailer

2. Scrooged (1988)

A Dickensian Christmas in New York

Explore the bustling streets of New York City, where Bill Murray's character Frank Cross in Scrooged, discovered the true meaning of Christmas. Jump in the cab of Christmas Past on 49 West 64th Street, the exact location where Frank Cross took his fateful ride into the past.

From the enchanting decorations to the vibrant energy, feel the holiday spirit as you stroll through the city that never sleeps. If you have time, you can detour to where the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Frank at 5828 41st Drive in Woodside, Queens, New York.

Discover more of Scrooge's magical settings in the SetJetters app. Type in “Scrooged” in the SetJetters search bar. Scrooged Official Trailer

3. Elf (2003)

Buddy’s NYC Adventure

While you’re in New York City, keep exploring to find scenes from Elf. Walk in Buddy’s (Will Ferrell) footsteps down 5th Avenue at 30th Street, Manhattan as he spreads Christmas cheer.

And remember to bring your Christmas Snow Globe to help you create “The Globe Knows” scene near the base of the Empire State Building.

Don't forget to indulge in a plate of spaghetti topped with maple syrup just like Buddy! You can order the “Buddy the Elf” Spaghetti Box or make it yourself using the recipe at this link. Elf Official Trailer

4. Office Christmas Party (2016)

Unleash Your Inner Party Animal in Chicago

Throw your Christmas party in Chicago, where the outrageous and unforgettable Office Christmas Party was filmed.

Start the holiday hilarity at Clark Street Bridge, 300 North LaSalle Garden, where Clay (T.J. Miller) flipped his car!

Chicago is full of incredible movie scenes so continue your journey along the beautiful North Branch of the Chicago River to pick up over 130 Chicago movie locations on SetJetters. And for those looking for a Christmas after party, check out the Fight Club Chicago bar. Office Christmas Party Trailer

5. Love Actually (2003)

Romantic London Getaway

Whether you're still in love, or falling out of love with the Christmas staple Love Actually, the film still has the power to transport you to some magical locations around Europe.

Walk down the idyllic and romantic Saint Luke's Mews where the famous “giant flash cards scene” was filmed and Mark (Andrew Lincoln) tells Juliet (Keira Knightley) “To me you are perfect”.

If you’re inclined to have your own romantic stay on Saint Luke’s Mews, you can actually rent the #14 flat, four houses down and across the street from Juliet’s house.

The beautiful father/son moment between Daniel (Liam Neeson) and Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) was filmed along the River Thames at Gabriel's Wharf in London. There are three benches at this location, and both the center bench and bench to the west were used in this sequence of shots.

We have 22 more heartwarming scenes in the SetJetters app to explore, simply search "Love Actually". Love Actually Trailer

6. Home Alone (1990)

Kevin's Battle Plan in Chicago

Head to the Windy City of Chicago to explore the locations where Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) outsmarted the burglars in Home Alone. You’ll find the iconic house at 671 Lincoln Avenue, in Winnetka, Illinois.

However, it is a private residence so you can only get an exterior shot; click here to learn more about the location.

If you want to find the beautiful Trinity Methodist Church decorated for Christmas, you need to head to Wilmette, Illinois.

But don’t worry about going all the way north of Chicago for just one movie scene - nearby scenes from other films including Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, Ordinary People, and several more Home Alone scenes.

Of course, all of these are easily found in SetJetters! Home Alone Trailer

7. Jack Frost (1998)

Frosty Magic in Truckee, California

Step into the enchanting winter wonderland of Truckee, California, where the tale of Jack Frost, starring (Michael Keaton), comes to life.

Almost all of this movie was filmed inside a studio - including the interior and the exterior winter settings. But you can visit this magically frosty region to see the actual house at 10582 Olympic Boulevard which was used in the establishing shot, and as reference for the studio house replica.

The Truckee-Tahoe area is a national hub for outdoor activities - winter, spring, summer, and fall - with incredible access to world-class skiing, riding, hiking and trail running, biking, climbing, and watersports just minutes from the heart of town. Jack Frost Trailer

8. Carol (2015)

Elegant Christmas in Cincinnati

Dive into the sophisticated world of Carol by exploring the elegant filming locations in Cincinnati, Ohio which doubled as 1950s New York City and New Jersey.

Frankenberg Department Store where Carol (Cate Blanchett) and Therese (Rooney Mara) first meet was actually Shillito’s Department Store, now The Lofts at Shillito Place at 151 Seventh St West. The entrance doors featured in the film are located on Race Street. However, the interior shots were created on the second floor of the old Oskamp Nolting Department Store, 26 West 7th Street, which was dismantled after filming.

The Cincinnati Club located at 30 Garfield Place, where Therese stands in the middle of the Oak Room looking at Carol, is a private club but can be rented out for events.

Enjoy a winter walk through Eden Park - which served as a park in New York City in the movie - to the Twin Lakes Footbridge which places you at the location where Richard (Jake Lacy) asks Theresa (Rooney Mara) why their relationship isn't moving forward. Immerse yourself in the glamor and charm of a bygone era, as presented by Cincinnati, and discover 5 more locations from this film, on SetJetters for a Carol-inspired holiday.

Carol Official Trailer

9. The Holiday (2006)

Cozy Countryside Retreat

Escape to the charming English countryside, where The Holiday captured the essence of a perfect Christmas getaway.

To recreate the moment where Amanda (Cameron Diaz) runs across the bridge to Graham (Jude Law) you'll need to head to the bridge crossing at Tilling Bourne Creek on Rectory Lane, Shere, Guildford, UK.

The locations in this film are beautiful, and Shere is the most photographed town in Surrey, England. But you’ll only be able to visit the exteriors since all the interiors were shot on a set in Los Angeles. Not even Iris’s cottage is real - it was built as an exterior set in an empty hillside field overlooking Shere.

Shere is absolutely worth visiting for The Holiday movie locations as well as scenes from Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, and The Wedding Date. Plan your own holiday escape with nine The Holiday film locations on SetJetters.

The Holiday Trailer.

10. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Macy’s Magic in New York

There have been several versions of this classic Christmas story, and one of the most popular being the 1994 telling.

Although the original movie actually took place on 34th Street at the “Cole’s” department store, (Macy’s wouldn’t let them use the name again), at 151 West 34th Street, New York, NY.

However, in the 1994 remake, the miracle takes place on 160 North La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois, at which is the Michael A. Bilandic Building (Chicago Secretary of State building).

Across the city at 735 North State Street is the film’s “Saint Francis Church”, which is actually the Holy Names Cathedral. Built in 1875, it is a must-visit in Chicago, however the church’s interior was filmed at the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago Campus, 5850 South Woodlawn Avenue.

Discover Christmas magic in Chicago, ice skating along the city skyline, view the city’s light display, pop up Christmas markets, or sip a hot cocoa all while SetJetting the many movie scenes downtown. Miracle on 34th Street Trailer.

11. A Christmas Story (1983)

The Parker Home in Cleveland

Take a trip to Cleveland and visit the Parker home from A Christmas Story, now restored to its original splendor as seen in the film.

Although the home is filmed in Cleveland, did you notice “The Old Man '' always reads the Chicago Tribune newspaper at the kitchen table?

Unlike the Home Alone house, this home is open year-round to the public, so you can experience the nostalgia of this beloved film and snap a photo with his infamous leg lamp!

Across the street is located the A Christmas Story Museum, which features original props, costumes, and memorabilia from the film - including the Holy Grail of artifacts: Ralphie's Red Ryder BB gun! A Christmas Story Trailer

For this film, SetJetters has a badge you can earn for visiting all 8 of our *A Christmas Story* scenes in Cleveland.

View all the available SetJetters badges under the Badges tab in the app!

12. Happiest Season (2020)

LGBTQ+ Holiday Celebration

Celebrate the holidays with a visit to the Pittsburgh locations featured in Happiest Season.

Recreate the gay bar scenes between Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Riley (Aubrey Plaza) by grabbing a drink at the Real Luck Café (Lucky’s Bar), which is found at 1519 Penn Avenue near the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh. This bar was designed in the movie as a tribute to the iconic Oxwood Inn, a now-closed lesbian bar in Los Angeles.

While you’re in Pittsburgh, you can actually visit "Candy Cane Lane" from the opening sequence of the film, which is located at around 200 Summer Street in Duboistown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

But filming for Candy Cane Lane actually took place at the intersection of California and Cleveland Avenues in Avalon, Pennsylvania. During filming, the residents of the street agreed to keep their holiday displays up for a few extra weeks to accommodate the production taking place in January. Happiest Season Trailer.

Embark on a holiday adventure in a unique way as you explore these twelve Christmas film locations that you can visit now.

Whether you're a fan of comedy, romance, or heartwarming family tales, these real-life locations add an extra layer of magic to your festive season.

Get ready to make unforgettable memories in the places where Christmas movie dreams come true, with the SetJetters app as your ultimate guide!

SetJetters is the app that puts film locations in the palm of your hand.

Download for free on Android or Apple stores, and we look forward to seeing your photos from your favorite movie locations.

12 Scenes of Christmas!