Do They Play Holiday Road in Christmas Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of the classic Christmas movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you might have noticed a particular song that plays throughout the film. That song is “Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham, and it’s a catchy tune that perfectly captures the wacky and chaotic spirit of the Griswold family’s holiday shenanigans.

But does “Holiday Road” actually play during “Christmas Vacation?” The answer is yes and no. Let’s break it down.

First, let’s establish what “Holiday Road” is. It’s a song written and performed by Lindsey Buckingham, who is best known as the guitarist and vocalist for Fleetwood Mac. The song was originally released in 1983 as part of the soundtrack for the movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” which starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a bumbling family man who takes his wife and kids on a disastrous cross-country road trip.

“Holiday Road” became something of an anthem for Clark Griswold, as it played over the opening credits of “Vacation” and was later used in other installments of the series. So it makes sense that when “Christmas Vacation” was released in 1989, fans expected to hear “Holiday Road” once again.

However, “Christmas Vacation” does not feature “Holiday Road” in its entirety. Instead, the song appears briefly during a scene where Clark is daydreaming about his perfect family Christmas. As he imagines himself driving around town to pick up his relatives in his brand-new car (a recurring theme throughout the movie), we hear a snippet of “Holiday Road” playing on the car radio.

So while “Holiday Road” isn’t prominently featured in “Christmas Vacation,” it does make a fun cameo appearance that adds to the overall charm of the film. And if you’re really craving some Lindsey Buckingham goodness while watching the Griswold family’s misadventures, you can always cue up the “Vacation” soundtrack and enjoy “Holiday Road” in all its glory.

In conclusion, while “Holiday Road” isn’t a major part of the “Christmas Vacation” soundtrack, it does make a brief appearance and adds to the nostalgic fun of watching this beloved holiday classic. So next time you watch the movie, keep your ears open for that familiar guitar riff and let yourself get caught up in the spirit of the season.