Where Was the Christmas Tree Scene Filmed in Christmas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

Are you a big fan of the classic Christmas comedy movie “Christmas Vacation”? If so, you may have wondered where the iconic scene featuring the Griswold family’s Christmas tree was filmed. In this article, we’ll explore the location of this memorable scene.

The Scene

In “Christmas Vacation,” there is a scene where Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, takes his family to a forest to find the perfect Christmas tree. After much searching and chaos, they eventually find their tree and bring it back home to decorate.

The Location

The scene was actually filmed at two different locations. The first part of the scene, where the Griswolds are driving through a snowy forest in search of their tree, was filmed in Breckenridge, Colorado. This town is known for its beautiful winter scenery and is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding.

However, when it came time to film the scene where they actually cut down their tree, a different location was used. This part of the scene was filmed in California at Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank. This location was chosen because it had trees that looked similar to those found in Colorado but were easier to work with for filming purposes.

Conclusion

So there you have it – while the Griswold family’s search for the perfect Christmas tree took place in Colorado on screen, the actual cutting down of the tree occurred on a studio lot in California.

If you’re ever in Breckenridge or Burbank, be sure to take a moment to appreciate these locations and relive this classic scene from “Christmas Vacation.”