30 Christmas Movie Locations You Can Visit
/granite-web-prod/7a/47/7a470582ac1146d684afa0e72f82144d.png)
Christmas only comes once a year, but Christmas movies last forever. There is nothing quite like getting into the holiday spirit by settling into your favorite Christmas movie. The only thing better than cozying up with a holiday classic is actually visiting the towns where they take place.
From small villages in the countryside, to romantic castles in Romania, to the busy streets of New York, there are locations all over the world that have starring roles in your favorite Christmas movies. Step into the shoes of Susan Walker or Buddy the Elf in New York City, or make it snow like Edward Scissorhands in (wait for it…) Florida. Don’t forget the annual Hallmark Christmas movies, too, which are beloved yearly releases that Christmas fans look forward to all year long.
If you want to take your holiday spirit to the next level, check out this list of 30 real towns where your favorite Christmas movies take place, and follow our tips on how to get the full movie magic experience while you’re visiting.
Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site.
30. A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado
/granite-web-prod/f9/d8/f9d83e4a37cf48a48fdc12c2bddda376.png)
Location: Hope, British Columbia
Where to stay: The Rockwell Harrison Guest Lodge B&B
How to get the “A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado” experience: This Christmas flick is set around a small town's annual Christmas celebration. While the name implies that the movie takes place in Colorado, it was actually filmed in the Canadian town of Hope.
Filming was centered around Wallace Street, which was decked with Christmas decorations and fake snow (filming took place in the summer). For the true film experience, stroll down Wallace Street, where you'll see many shops from the film.
29. Die Hard
/granite-web-prod/2a/c9/2ac962778d7d4469b902b04dd271f6ab.png)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Where to stay: Freehand Los Angeles
How to get the “Die Hard” experience: While you may not want to manifest the full John McClane experience, you can certainly see many of your favorite “Die Hard” locations when visiting Los Angeles at Christmas time. The legendary Nakatomi Play, for example, was filmed at the real-life Fox Plaza.
Visit Fox Plaza during Christmastime, and you may actually start to believe John McClane is coming down the elevator.
28. Christmas Wishes and Holiday Kisses
/granite-web-prod/84/f2/84f260abd1c3450e809726e9599de1b9.png)
Location: Monroe and Marietta, Georgia
Where to stay: The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton
How to get the “Christmas Wishes and Holiday Kisses” experience: Most Hallmark Christmas movies are actually filmed in the spring and summer, meaning locations have to really deck the halls to sell the experience. “Christmas Wishes and Holiday Kisses” took place in Marietta as well as Atlanta and the town square was dressed to the nines in Christmas ornaments in the middle of March.
Take a stroll to Southern Creations in Marietta to step inside some of the actual filming locations.
27. Four Christmases
/granite-web-prod/54/cf/54cf9c93e48e433bb518cfe39853cb91.png)
Location: San Francisco, California
Where to stay: Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights
How to get the “Four Christmases” experience: In “Four Christmases,” a couple spends their holiday rushing to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day. The film was shot in San Francisco, which is a great destination at any time of year.
But if you want to get the “Four Christmases” experience, visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Chinatown and the Embarcadero.
26. Christmas in Conway
/granite-web-prod/25/e8/25e8be2fbb914305adae41a0f7584e34.png)
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Where to stay: ARRIVE Wilmington
How to get the “Christmas in Conway” experience: "Christmas in Conway" is the romantic story of a man who finds the perfect Christmas gift for his ailing wife. The film was shot in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Wilmington, so if you want to get the full movie experience, start there. The film also shot some scenes in Greenfield Park.
And, of course, a ride on a Ferris wheel will give you the "Christmas in Conway" experience no matter where you are. If you know, you know.
25. A Christmas Prince
/granite-web-prod/4d/34/4d34e020a0054a1a869e75327d691fef.png)
Location: Sinaia, Romania
Where to stay: Ioana Hotel
How to get the “A Christmas Prince” experience: As Christmas approaches, a young writer goes abroad on assignment to cover the story about a handsome prince who is next in line for the throne. The film was shot on location in Romania, and you can visit the filming locations in real life to get the full "A Christmas Prince" experience.
The royal castle of Aldovia is actually the Peles Castle of Sinaia, Romania. Other filming locations include Bragadiru Palace and the Carol Davila Medicine and Pharmacy University; however, these are located in Bucharest.
24. Moonlight & Mistletoe
/granite-web-prod/84/2f/842ff78d137c448caad1a811a8e81c7a.png)
Location: Chester, Vermont
Where to stay: Inn Victoria
How to get the “Moonlight & Mistletoe” experience: The town of Chester is about as charming as it gets when it comes to small towns at Christmas. Not much had to be done to transform it into the winter wonderland set for “Moonlight & Mistletoe.” The film, starring Tom Arnold and Candace Cameron Bure, was shot entirely on occasion.
Be sure to stop at the Hugging Bear Inn & Shoppe and the Fullerton Inn, both of which are recognizable landmarks from the movie.
23. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
/granite-web-prod/6b/6a/6b6a9c0de92e4ffaa0386a918790bb76.png)
Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
Where to stay: Valdoro Mountain Lodge
How to get the “Christmas Vacation” experience: Everyone loves the Griswolds, especially when it comes to their Christmas shenanigans. “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” brings everyone's favorite dysfunctional family together for a vacation in the Rockies. While most of the interior shots were filmed in Burbank, the Breckenridge portion was shot in Summit County, Colorado.
Visit the Breckenridge Golf Course area for the Christmas tree-cutting scene. You can also wander the aisles at the Walmart in Frisco and relive the scene where Clark and Cousin Eddie do their shopping. Grab a sled, and go for a ride down the ski area at Peak 8, which is where the famous sledding scene was filmed as well.
22. Miracle on 34th Street, Serendipity, Elf, Home Alone 2 (and many more)
/granite-web-prod/f5/99/f5996ffcec2f42cc8b122b17fbebedcf.png)
Location: New York, New York
Where to stay: The Plaza
How to get the “Christmas in New York” experience: With so many iconic Christmas movies taking place with New York City as the backdrop, it's impossible not to have an iconic Christmas experience in New York. Whether you're wandering down Fifth Avenue marveling at the window displays, catching the twinkle of the towering tree at Rockefeller Center or lacing up your ice skates at Central Park, you will find that the entire city sparkles with Christmas magic.
Grab a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity, and stop by to see Santa Claus at his annual residence at Macy's.
21. A Very Nutty Christmas
/granite-web-prod/0c/99/0c992889a2984fc38ce1c9e06fe08843.png)
Location: Mystic, Connecticut
Where to stay: The Whaler’s Inn
How to get the “A Very Nutty Christmas” experience: Melissa Joan Hart stars as a baker who is overwhelmed with holiday orders, all the while dealing with a breakup. But a surprise visit from a handsome soldier promises to restore order (and love) to her life.
To get the full experience, you can visit a few Connecticut locations, particularly the Garde Arts Center in New London, the Savour Cafe & Bakery in Essex and the Olde Mistick Village shopping center.
20. The Holiday
/granite-web-prod/2a/ed/2aed982bdea640ecbc99541bd286ed01.png)
Location: Shere, England
Where to stay: Foxhills
How to get “The Holiday” experience: When two women with very different lives swap places for the holidays, unexpected romance ensues. While half the film is set in Los Angeles, the most Christmas-forward scenes are set in the charming, snowy, romantic village of Shere in the English countryside.
The town has a population of less than 4,000 and is often considered to be one of the most idyllic small towns in the United Kingdom. A stroll down its historic streets at Christmastime will undoubtedly transport you directly into the film.
19. Holiday for Heroes
/granite-web-prod/08/8d/088dcd4cb57942c99e0df787482b0de0.png)
Location: Stonington, Connecticut
Where to stay: Inn at Stonington
How to get the “Holiday for Heroes'' experience: "Holidays for Heroes" tells the story about a soldier and a woman who write letters to each other for a year and eventually meet when they work to bring the holidays to soldiers who are celebrating far away from home.
Take a trip to Noah's in Stonington to recognize familiar shots from the movie. This happens to be the restaurant that the character Audrey owns in her small Connecticut seaside town.
18. Nutcracker and the Four Realms
/granite-web-prod/34/17/3417c7a18f3c4b79a7b615e4f61786a5.png)
Location: Rothenburg ob Der Tauber, Germany
Where to stay: Hotel Herrnschlösschen
How to get the “Nutcracker and the Four Realms” experience: The Nutcracker gets a makeover in this Disney remake. The music from Peter Tchaikovsky is the same, but Clara embarks on a different kind of journey into a magical world with four realms. The majority of the movie was filmed on soundstages, but real-life locations inspired the worlds.
Minley Manor in Minley, England, for example, will be easily recognizable by lovers of the film. Syon House Great Conservatory in West London is another familiar location. But one of the best ways to get the full experience is to visit the real-world Land of the Snowflakes, which is almost a carbon copy of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, located in Bavaria, Germany.
17. Christmas in Homestead
/granite-web-prod/d4/73/d473ad0aa2ef48b7812f0ef30be0bcfd.png)
Location: Dahlonega, Georgia
Where to stay: Barefoot Hills
How to get the “Christmas in Homestead'' experience: The film may take place in Homestead, Iowa, but the filming locations are nowhere near the Midwest. Most of the iconic scenes from the film were shot in Dahlonega, a small mountain town in Georgia.
Visit the Baptist Collegiate Center at the University of North Georgia, which serves as the setting for the film's Homestead Lodge.
16. Love Actually
/granite-web-prod/26/99/2699b009d15c41da8d12af4947c9f9ba.png)
Location: London, England
Where to stay: Hotel 41
How to get the “Love Actually” experience: “Love Actually” has quickly become one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. Fans love it for the love stories that all interconnect, with plenty of humor and Christmas charm along the way. The film is shot on location in London, which is nothing short of the perfect Christmas backdrop during the holidays.
To get the real “Love Actually” experience, simply walk Trafalgar Square, the Millennium Bridge and even Heathrow Airport to see your favorite scenes. Of course, it isn't Christmas in London without a stop into Selfridges department store on Oxford Street for a bit of shopping and holiday decorations.
15. Winter in Vail
/granite-web-prod/20/40/204054921edf431b87d554c37db2dae2.png)
Location: Vail, Colorado
Where to stay: Sonnenalp Hotel
How to get the “Winter in Vail” experience: As the name suggests, "Winter in Vail" takes place in Vail. Leading lady, Chelsea, inherits a house in the ski town where she meets her love interest, Owen. They work together to put on a festival to bring visitors to experience the charm of Old Vail. Many of the scenes were shot on location in Vail, but a larger portion of the scenes were also filmed in Canada.
For the "Winter in Vail" experience, don't miss the skating rink, the covered bridge and a stop at the Children's Fountain. The exteriors of businesses in Vail were also used in the film, so a stroll down any of the streets will have you feeling the "Winter in Vail" vibes.
14. Little Women
/granite-web-prod/08/6c/086cc51d2245468eb9bd39736ba48e03.png)
Location: Concord, Massachusetts
Where to stay: Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Concord
How to get the “Little Women'' experience: Before the 2019 remake, there was the original “Little Women,” the film adaptation of the beloved book by Louisa May Alcott. The 1994 classic was filmed primarily in Canada, but the most recent version was shot on location in Massachusetts.
To get the full "Little Women'' experience, a visit to New England during the holiday season is a must. Filming locations were chosen around Concord, which is where Alcott grew up. Other towns featured in the film were Lawrence, Stoughton, Ipswich and Lancaster. If you make a stop to the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, you'll find that the ballroom is a place that you'll remember from the party in the movie.
13. Switched for Christmas
/granite-web-prod/48/aa/48aa96b91b024e1c8da30229da9c00a1.png)
Location: Payson, Utah
Where to stay: Quality Inn Payson
How to get the “Switched for Christmas” experience: "Switched for Christmas" is one of the few Hallmark Christmas movies that was not filmed in Canada. If you want the "Switched for Christmas" experience, then pack your bags for Utah. The story follows identical twin sisters who switch lives in order to walk a mile in the other's shoes for the holidays. Locations for filming included Payson, Draper and Salt Lake City.
Visit the Utah State Fair Park to get into the Christmas spirit, or stop by Kimi's Chop & Oyster House to relive the movie's party scene.
12. The Family Stone
/granite-web-prod/14/53/1453a6c9d4464b4298114d46063118da.png)
Location: Madison, New Jersey
Where to stay: Archer Hotel Florham Park
How to get “The Family Stone” experience: While the setting for “The Family Stone” is a fictional New England town, the film itself was mostly shot in Madison. To get a feel for the vibe of the movie, stroll downtown Madison to take in the storefronts with their holiday decorations.
You'll feel like Claire Danes as you stroll past the sparkling twinkle lights, soaking in the holiday atmosphere. Other scenes were also shot at Drew University as well as Fairleigh Dickinson.
11. Snow Bride
/granite-web-prod/53/04/5304a9a08c6a448282e2a4d45dd7f8d3.png)
Location: Big Bear Lake, California
Where to stay: Robinhood Resort
How to get the “Snow Bride” experience: Los Angeles may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of winter wonderland, but just a few hours outside of the big city sits Big Bear Lake. High up in the mountains, this forested paradise becomes blanketed in snow every winter, making it the perfect backdrop for a Christmas story.
“Snow Bride” was filmed here, and you can get the full experience with a visit when the snow is fresh and powdery and the mountain town swirls with holiday charm.
10. The Santa Clause
/granite-web-prod/35/54/355471b9686a45d29e9cc14a062a3289.png)
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Where to stay: The Westlake
How to get “The Santa Clause” experience: While “The Santa Clause” takes places in the fictional town of Lakeville, Illinois, the movie was actually entirely shot in the greater Toronto area.
The town of Oakville set the stage as the Illinois town, and you can get the real feel for it when you walk downtown around Thomas Street. Navy Street also made an appearance in the movie, as did Hillcrest Park in Toronto.
9. The Christmas Card
/granite-web-prod/ca/f7/caf70ceda1d743ed800fff5505e144dc.png)
Location: Nevada City, California
Where to stay: The National Exchange Hotel
How to get “The Christmas Card” experience: "The Christmas Card" was the Hallmark holiday movie hit of 2006. It tells the story of a soldier who receives a Christmas card from a woman in Nevada City, so he makes the journey to the town to check it out.
Nevada City is an integral part of the story, and you can get the full movie experience by visiting the annual Victorian-style Christmas celebration. Each year, carolers line the streets, decked out in 19th-century costumes adding a whole new level of Christmas magic to the holiday experience.
8. A Christmas in Vermont
/granite-web-prod/19/2d/192dc148504a4721baf4013481ba303b.png)
Location: East Aurora, New York
Where to stay: Roycroft Inn
How to get “A Christmas in Vermont” experience: While the name spells out the setting of this 2016 Hallmark movie, the film was mostly shot in upstate New York. Riley Thomas goes to a small Vermont town to shut down one of the small businesses there. But, instead, she learns that the business is vital to the town's prosperity, so she has a change of heart.
You can give yourself the "Christmas in Vermont" vibes with a visit to East Aurora, which is where the street scenes from the movie were filmed.
7. Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle
/granite-web-prod/13/04/130452c5f808439380afb57b5d8bf575.png)
Location: Fort Langley, British Columbia
Where to stay: Sandman Signature Langley Hotel
How to get the “Mrs. Miracle” experience: In "Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle," a single dad needs help caring for his 6-year-old, twin boys. Enter Mrs. Miracle, who not only helps get his house in order, but she ends up finding him love, too.
The film was shot in Fort Langley, a historic and charming town that has a few other Christmas movies on its resume, like "Christmas Homecoming" and "Trading Christmas." We recommend a visit to the Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada to see the annual Christmas celebrations.
6. A Christmas Wish
/granite-web-prod/f2/57/f2574070a917401c87de3ae7c253bb56.png)
Location: Mapleton, Utah
Where to stay: Hyatt Place Provo
How to get the “A Christmas Wish” experience: Shot on location in Utah, "A Christmas Wish" tells the story of a mother who is left by her husband without a cent to her name. She is also left to care for her two daughters and a stepson.
The movie was filmed in snowy Mapleton, and fans of the film would have been able to get the full experience by visiting the Model A Cafe, which was where much of the film took place. Sadly, the cafe permanently closed, but strolling the streets of Mapleton on a snowy afternoon will still transport you right into the film.
5. Christmas Land
/granite-web-prod/44/99/449905c1c2d14a1e86f557bfce7c5131.png)
Location: Farmington, Utah
Where to stay: Hyatt Place Salt Lake City / Farmington / Station Park
How to get the “Christmas Land” experience: When the heir to a Christmas tree farm (Christmas Land) decides to sell the farm, the town has something to say about it. The film was shot in Pioneer Village, which is a replica of a Wild West town within Farmington's Lagoon Park.
While the village closes for the winter season, the cast and crew decked its Main Street with fake snow and holiday decorations just for the film. You can visit Pioneer Village in the summer, but for the full "Christmas Land" experience, you may have to use a little bit of imagination.
4. Edward Scissorhands
/granite-web-prod/af/f1/aff1a17c6a0d4288b3cb4636fde90c9a.png)
Location: Lutz, Florida
Where to stay: Emerald Greens Condo Resort
How to get the “Edward Scissorhands” experience: "Edward Scissorhands" may not be a traditional Christmas movie, but it certainly has strong holiday overtones, seeing as the entire plot is centered around a grandmother telling her grandchild the reason why it snows on Christmas.
To create the town in which this Tim Burton classic is set, the filmmakers transformed the Tampa suburb of Lutz into a colorful wonderland by painting all the houses in pastels. Today, you can get the full experience by visiting the actual house in the film, which has been transformed into a free museum called Scissorland.
3. Christmas Cookies
/granite-web-prod/3d/b3/3db3ec499fab4a5fa65afed9f3851d53.png)
Location: Squamish, British Columbia
Where to stay: Squamish Adventure Inn
How to get the “Christmas Cookies” experience: Just north of Vancouver, the town of Squamish served as the backdrop for this charming Hallmark Christmas movie. The movie is set in a fictional town (called Cookie Jar), whose main employer is the cookie factory, Aunt Sally's Christmas Cookie Company.
The film was shot in April, so snow had to be trucked in to sell the winter effect, but visitors can still get the "Christmas Cookie" experience when they walk down the streets of this charming Canadian small town.
2. Christmas Everlasting
/granite-web-prod/c1/b9/c1b9530e771b485fae6ddd0129b3a477.png)
Location: Mansfield, Georgia
Where to stay: The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast
How to get the “Christmas Everlasting” experience: This Hallmark Movie from 2018 tells the story of Lucy, a big-time lawyer who comes home for the holidays after experiencing a death in the family. The movie was shot in Mansfield, a small town in the Appalachian Mountains with a population of less than 500 people.
You can get the "Christmas Everlasting" experience with a walk over the town's covered bridge or a tour past the historic church, which were both featured in the film.
1. Christmas at Graceland
/granite-web-prod/89/32/89328720ae1b47aaa925288809549bfc.png)
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Where to stay: River Inn of Harbor Town
How to get the “Christmas at Graceland” experience: Memphis is magical at Christmas, but it doesn't get more magical than a visit to Graceland. As the name suggests from the film, the plot is centered around the former home of Elvis Presley.
All decked out in Christmas decorations, the tourist attraction really gets into the spirit for the holidays. Other ways to soak up the Christmas energy in Memphis is to stroll down the decorated Beale Street, or explore one of the many celebrations that are held in the city during the holidays.