If you’re a fan of Christmas movies, chances are you’ve seen the classic comedy “Christmas Vacation” starring Chevy Chase. The film has become a holiday staple for many families, and one of the most memorable aspects of the movie is the Griswold family’s home. But where exactly is the house used in “Christmas Vacation” located?
The Home’s History
The Griswold family’s home in “Christmas Vacation” is located in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The house was originally built in 1957 and was designed by architect Robert S. Klemmer. It is a two-story, four-bedroom home that has since become an iconic location for fans of the movie.
The Filming Location
The house used in “Christmas Vacation” for external shots can be found at 5134 Christenson Avenue in the city of Los Angeles, California. Despite being set in Chicago, most of the filming actually took place on a movie set in Burbank, California.
Exterior Shots
The exterior shots of the Griswold family’s home were filmed over several weeks at 5134 Christenson Avenue. The filmmakers chose this location because it closely resembled the home described in John Hughes’ screenplay.
To create an authentic winter setting for filming, the production team covered the entire street with fake snow and decorated the home with Christmas lights and decorations.
Interior Sets
While most of the exterior shots were filmed on location at 5134 Christenson Avenue, almost all of the interior scenes were filmed on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.
The interior sets were meticulously designed to match Klemmer’s original blueprints for the house. This allowed for seamless transitions between exterior shots and interior scenes throughout the film.
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The Living Room
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The Kitchen
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The Attic
The living room set was designed to match the interior of the real house as closely as possible. The set included the iconic staircase and railing, as well as the large window overlooking the front lawn.
The kitchen set was also designed to match Klemmer’s blueprints and included a large island, double ovens, and a built-in range.
One of the most memorable scenes in “Christmas Vacation” takes place in the attic of the Griswold family’s home. The attic set was built on a soundstage and included all of the props used in the scene, including Clark’s old home movies and his collection of Christmas lights.
Conclusion
While many fans of “Christmas Vacation” may have assumed that the Griswold family’s home was located in Chicago, it is actually located in Los Angeles. The exterior shots were filmed at 5134 Christenson Avenue, while most of the interior scenes were filmed on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Despite being located on opposite sides of the country, these locations were carefully chosen to create a seamless and authentic setting for this beloved holiday classic.