73_10 Amazing Locations Where National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Was Filmed

9 Amazing Locations Where “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Was Filmed

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Introduction

Where was National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation filmed? This question comes to mind for fans of the holiday comedy classic. Released in 1989, the movie continues to be a favorite during the festive season. From the iconic Griswold family home to the snow-filled winter scenes, many people are curious about where this beloved movie was shot. Let’s take a closer look at the amazing locations that helped create the magical feel of this hilarious Christmas movie.

Filming Locations for “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

Although the movie is set in suburban Chicago, most of it was actually filmed elsewhere. Several key locations were used to create the iconic backdrop for the Griswold family’s holiday misadventures.

#1: Los Angeles, California

1 Los Angeles, California
1 Los Angeles, California

One of the main filming locations for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was Los Angeles, California. Even though the movie portrays snowy winter scenes, most of the filming took place in sunny Los Angeles. The Griswold family home, where much of the action happens, is located on the backlot of Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank. The house can still be seen today, although it has been slightly modified for other productions.

Many interior shots, including the scenes inside the Griswold home, were filmed on sound stages in Los Angeles. Despite the warm weather in California, filmmakers managed to recreate a perfect winter wonderland with artificial snow.

Explore National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Station Wagon and Griswold Family Tree: With sound! (RP Minis) Paperback on Amazon

#2: Breckenridge, Colorado

2 Breckenridge, Colorado
2 Breckenridge, Colorado

Some of the most picturesque winter scenes in the movie were filmed in Breckenridge, Colorado. This small town is located in the Rocky Mountains and is known for its beautiful snowy landscapes. The opening scene, where Clark Griswold drives with his family to find the perfect Christmas tree, was filmed in this charming mountain town.

Breckenridge provided the perfect snowy backdrop for these outdoor scenes. The snow-covered trees and mountains added an authentic wintery feel to the movie.

#3: Silverthorne, Colorado

3 Silverthorne, Colorado
3 Silverthorne, Colorado

Another key filming location is Silverthorne, Colorado. Located just a short drive from Breckenridge, Silverthorne served as the location for the famous tree-cutting scene. The Griswold family drives into the mountains to find a Christmas tree, and this picturesque area was the ideal spot for the scene.

Silverthorne is known for its scenic beauty and snow-covered landscapes, making it a perfect choice for a holiday movie. Visitors to Colorado can still explore these areas today and relive the movie’s most iconic moments.

#4: Warner Bros. Ranch, Burbank

4 Warner Bros. Ranch, Burbank
4 Warner Bros. Ranch, Burbank

The Griswold family home is an iconic part of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It is located on the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California. This famous backlot has been used in many other films and TV shows. While the house has undergone changes over the years, it still remains recognizable to fans of the movie.

If you’re wondering where the other houses in the Griswold’s neighborhood are, they’re also part of the Warner Bros. Ranch. Many of the exterior shots were filmed here, making it a central location for the movie.

Explore National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Light-Up House: With sound! (RP Minis) Paperback on Amazon

#5: Snow Was Created Using Artificial Methods

5 Snow Was Created Using Artificial Methods
5 Snow Was Created Using Artificial Methods

Although the movie shows plenty of snow-covered scenes, not all of it was real. In fact, much of the snow was created using artificial methods. The production team used a combination of fake snow, snow blankets, and other special effects to give the scenes a wintery feel, especially in locations where snow wasn’t naturally available, like Los Angeles.

#6: Chicago Setting Without Chicago Filming

6 Chicago Setting Without Chicago Filming
6 Chicago Setting Without Chicago Filming

Despite the movie being set in suburban Chicago, none of the filming took place there. Instead, the filmmakers used the backlot in Los Angeles and snowy scenes in Colorado to recreate the feel of a Midwestern winter.

Explore National Lampoon’s Vacation Unauthorized Quiz Book Paperback on Amazon

#7: Iconic Christmas Tree Scene in Breckenridge

7 Iconic Christmas Tree Scene in Breckenridge
7 Iconic Christmas Tree Scene in Breckenridge

The opening scene, where the Griswold family searches for the perfect Christmas tree, was filmed in the snow-covered woods of Breckenridge, Colorado. The town is a popular ski destination and provided the perfect backdrop for this memorable scene.

You can learn more about Breckenridge’s film history here.

#8: The Movie Set Still Exists

8 The Movie Set Still Exists
8 The Movie Set Still Exists

The Griswold house and the neighborhood can still be found on the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California. The homes used for exterior shots are part of a permanent backlot used for various films and TV shows.

#9: The Movie Wasn’t a Huge Hit at First

9 The Movie Wasn’t a Huge Hit at First
9 The Movie Wasn’t a Huge Hit at First

When National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was first released in 1989, it wasn’t considered a huge box office success. However, over the years, the movie has gained a massive following, and today, it’s a holiday classic that many families watch every Christmas season.

Explore National Lampoon S Christmas Vacation Clark Photo: Daily Planner Journal: Notebook Planner,To Do List, Daily Organizer (6″ x9″) Paperback on Amazon

FAQs

Where is the Griswold house from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”?

The Griswold house is located on the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California. It is part of a famous backlot used for various film and TV productions.

Where was the tree-cutting scene filmed?

The tree-cutting scene was filmed in Silverthorne, Colorado, a small town known for its beautiful winter landscapes.

Was any part of the movie filmed in Chicago?

No, although the movie is set in suburban Chicago, none of it was filmed in Chicago. Most of the filming took place in Los Angeles and Colorado.

Why was Los Angeles chosen as a filming location?

Los Angeles was chosen for its accessibility and because it is home to Warner Bros. Ranch, where many of the exterior shots were filmed. Interior scenes were filmed on sound stages in the city.

Can I visit the Griswold house today?

Yes, the Griswold house still exists at Warner Bros. Ranch, although it has been modified for other productions. It is not open to the public but can be seen during studio tours.

Conclusion

The filming locations for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation play a significant role in bringing the holiday cheer to life. From the cozy Griswold house on the Warner Bros. Ranch to the snowy mountains of Colorado, each setting adds to the charm of this beloved Christmas movie. While it may have been filmed far from Chicago, the movie perfectly captures the spirit of the holidays with its festive scenes and hilarious moments.

For more insights into the filming locations and other behind-the-scenes details, check out these resources:

  1. Warner Bros. Ranch: wbstudiotour.com/warner-bros-ranch
  2. Breckenridge Film History: gobreck.com/blog/film-history-of-breckenridge/
  3. Colorado Filming Locations: colorado.com/articles/movies-filmed-colorado

The next time you watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you’ll know exactly where some of its most iconic scenes were filmed.

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