Whether a movie is set in Chicago or filmed entirely in this great city, Chicago is a magical background for Christmas. We found 15 great films that show Chicago is the place to film for Christmas. So, grab a cozy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa, and take a moment to be proud of your city while enjoying these nostalgic Chicago Christmas movies.
Christmas movies set or filmed in Chicago:
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): Clark Griswold is determined to give his family and extended family the most perfect Christmas anyone could imagine in a snowy suburb of Chicago. Although the film is set in Chicago, It was filmed in Burbank, California and Breckenridge, Colorado.
Home Alone (1990): Filmed mainly in the suburbs of Chicago, the McCallister family’s residence is located in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka. One of the most difficult scenes to shoot was the family’s run through O’Hare International Airport to catch their flight.
While You Were Sleeping (1995): Starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman, this romantic comedy is set in Chicago during the Christmas season. The film captures the charm of the city during the holidays.
Jingle All the Way (1996): Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this family comedy set in Minneapolis but filmed in part in Chicago. The city scenes contribute to the festive atmosphere of the film.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004): Based on John Grisham’s novel Skipping Christmas, this comedy is set in a fictional suburb of Chicago, but only partially filmed in Chicago. It features Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as a couple attempting to skip Christmas festivities.
Mean Girls (2004): The school scenes were filmed at Lincoln Park High School in Chicago and some scenes were filmed at a lake front park in Lincoln Park, Chicago. Although the movie was not filmed in the wealthy north suburbs of Chicago, several real places in the area are mentioned. These include: Old Orchard Mall in Skokie, Illinois, Walker Brothers Pancake House, and Northwestern University.
Surving Christmas (2004): Although the movie is set in Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, most of the filming took place in California. Some scenes were filmed in the Far Northwest Chicago neighborhood of Edgebrook. The Valco home is located at 6748 North Ionia Ave, Chicago.
Fred Claus (2007): This comedy features Vince Vaughn as the brother of Santa Claus (played by Paul Giamatti). While the North Pole is a significant setting, the film also includes scenes set in Chicago.
Office Christmas Party (2016): The film is set in Chicago. Principal photography on the film began late March 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. In early April, filming took place in Chicago, Illinois, and after that production moved to Hiram, Georgia.
A Bad Moms Christmas (2017): A Bad Moms Christmas is set in Chicago, but mostly filmed in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018): In an attempt to catch Santa on camera on Christmas eve, two siblings climb into Santa’s sleigh causing him to crash land on Lakeshore Drive in Chicago. Filmed in Toronto, using only ariel shots of Chicago.
Christmas With Felicity (2021): Directed by Chicago’s own, Jack C. Newell, the story is set primarily in the fictitious Wisconsin town of Aspen Grove. The majority of the film was shot on location in Long Grove. Additional photography took place in Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Glenview, and Palatine.
Christmas Again (2021): This Disney Channel Original was directed by Andy Fickman. Filming took place throughout the city.
Reporting for Christmas (2023): Another win for Chicago-based director Jack C. Newell. The film is primarily set in the fictitious town of Brunswick, Iowa, but most of the movie was shot on location in Historic Downtown Long Grove, Illinois. Reporting for Christmas has entered the Hulu Top 10 for the 2023 Christmas Season.
One Chicago (TV series): While not a movie, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med often feature Christmas-themed episodes set in Chicago.
We hope you enjoy this year’s Chicago Christmas movie collection. These movies capture the holiday spirit against the backdrop of Chicago’s iconic skyline and festive atmosphere.
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