Here at Holiday Numbers, we love a good Christmas film. One of the best things about the season is putting on your pyjamas, blocking out the cold weather and watching your favourite film snuggled on the sofa. However, what if I told you that you could actually visit some of them? Let’s take a look.
Home Alone (1990)
“This is my house, I have to defend it.”
Home Alone is a classic. It’s about an eight year old boy, who has to protect his home from burglars when he is accidentally left home alone over Christmas. Kevin’s house is an iconic building and yes, you can visit it. It’s located to the North of Chicago at 671 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka. This is a private home, so if you visit remember not to disturb the residents. The green where Kevin visits Santa Claus is also nearby (Station Park).
How to get there: You can fly to Chicago from London Heathrow with British Airways.
Elf (2003)
“The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”
Elf, the film about a lovable human who was raised as an elf, is filmed across iconic locations in New York City. They include: The Empire State Building, Park Avenue, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Centre and Bethesda Terrace in Central Park. All of these are public locations- some companies even run tours of the locations. Don’t forget to break into a rendition of ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ in Central Park.
How to get there: Delta Airlines has daily flights from the UK to JFK Airport.
A Christmas Story (1983)
“Of course. Santa. The big man. The head honcho. The connection.”
Ralphie has convince his parents, his teacher and Santa Claus that a B.B gun is the perfect Christmas gift. The film was mostly filmed in Cleveland, Ohio and Toronto. Ralphie’s house has now been turned into a museum and you can find it at 3159 W.11th Street Cleveland, Ohio. The scene where the family watch the Christmas parade was filmed in Public Square, Cleveland. However, when the family purchases their Christmas tree, this part was filmed in Toronto as it was the only place to have streetcars that were appropriate for the time period that the film was set in.
How to get there: You may have to stopover en route to Ohio, so make it a comfortable one by using Laterooms for your accommodation.
The Santa Clause (1994)
“If something should happen to me, put on my suit; the reindeer will know what to do.”
When a man accidentally kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he has to take his place. This Disney classic was mostly filmed in Toronto, in Oakville. Pleasantly, most of the shops/streets featured in the film remain largely similar today. Excitingly, Santa’s reindeer were played by reindeer from Toronto Zoo. Rumour has it that the famous house where Santa fell off the roof is located at 19 Chisholm Street, Oakville, however the house has a different roof to this day!
How to get there: Fly to Toronto with American Airlines.
Love, Actually (2003)
“Okay, Dad. Let’s do it. Let’s go get the shit kicked out of us by love.”
Richard Curtis’ modern-day classic interrelated drama is of course, filmed entirely in London. The opening shots featured real life people greeting each other at Heathrow Airport. Such is the charm of Curtis, he managed to persuade Selfridges on Oxford Street to allow them to film inside. The scene where Peter and Juliet marry and the gospel choir break out into a spine-tingling rendition of All You Need Is Love was filmed at Grovesnor Chapel. Lastly, the scene where little Sam confesses to Daniel he is in love was filmed at Canary Wharf.
How to get there: Check National Rail for trains to London.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
“If you’re really Santa Claus, you can get it for me. And if you can’t, you’re only a nice man with a white beard like mother says.”
When the real Santa Claus steps in to be a department store’s Santa, he is met with disbelief from everyone around him. This film has become a traditional festive viewing for many families, however, you can actually visit the department store where Kris Kringle worked. It is, of course, the iconic Macy’s New York. It may look slightly different these days, but make no mistake it’s the real deal- located on 34th Street, obviously.
How to get there: Perhaps combine your trip to Macy’s with your Elf trip! Find accommodation through Trivago.
The Holiday (2006)
“Iris, if you were a melody… I used only the good notes.”
The Holiday tells a tale of a Christmas in two very different locations: a quaint English village and sunny California, as two women decide to swap houses for the holidays. The beautiful English village is in fact Shere in Surrey and it was chosen because of it’s proximity to London. Iris’ gorgeous cottage was purpose-built for the film, but the local pub is the real deal (it’s called the White Horse Tavern). Meanwhile, Amanda’s Tuscan mansion can be found in San Marino, California.
How to get there: Visit Shere by car, by renting with Avis. Bonus- Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason was also filmed there.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
“You see, George, you’ve really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?”
Yet another old-school classic. In this film, an angel shows a frustrated businessman how life would be if he never existed. Sadly, there is no Bedford Falls to visit, but Seneca Falls, a working class village near New York, claims to be the town that the makers based the film in. It was actually filmed on an elaborate four acre film set in California; but nevertheless, Seneca Falls has embraced its status, opening the ‘It’s a Wonderful Life Museum’.
How to get there: The best way to get to Seneca Falls would be to fly to New York and then hire a car, perhaps with Europcar.
Jingle All the Way (1996)
“Howard, I’m of the mind set you can never do too much to make a child’s Christmas magical.”
A desperate father must get his son a Turbo-Man action figure before Christmas, but everyone else wants one too! Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this cheesy classic. The film was both set and filmed in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Highlights include Bloomington’s Mall of America and Mickey’s Diner. The film is still to this day the biggest filming production to use the Minnesota area!
How to get there: Flights to Minneapolis from the UK often layover in Orlando or New York- Virgin Atlantic has flights available.
How amazing would it be to see some of these locations? For now, we’ll have to stick with watching them all cosy near the fire, but let us know if you visit any!
