Griswold House Christmas Vacation: Ultimate Movie Location Guide & Fun Facts

Do you love the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? Many people do. It is a classic holiday film. The story follows the Griswold family. They want the perfect Christmas at home. But everything goes wrong in funny ways. The heart of the movie is their house. It is covered in Christmas lights. This guide will explore the famous Griswold house. We will look at where it is. We will share fun facts about the movie. You will learn how to plan your own trip. Get ready for a fun and detailed look at this movie landmark.

The Story of the Griswold Family Christmas

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation came out in 1989. It is the third movie in the Vacation series. Chevy Chase plays Clark Griswold. Beverly D'Angelo plays his wife, Ellen. They have two kids, Audrey and Rusty. Clark wants a good, old-fashioned family Christmas. He works very hard to decorate the house. He puts up 25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights. But the lights will not turn on. This is just the start of his problems.

Family members come to visit. They cause more trouble. Clark's boss gives him a bad Christmas bonus. Clark gets very angry. The movie is full of silly and chaotic moments. People love it because it shows a not-so-perfect holiday. It feels real to many families. The house is a key part of the story. It represents Clark's dream. It also shows all the things that go wrong. The movie was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. The script was written by John Hughes. It is based on his short story.

Why This Movie Became a Classic

The movie was not a huge hit right away. But it became popular on TV and home video. Now, it is a must-watch every December. Families quote lines from the film. They laugh at Clark's disasters. The humor is about everyday family stress. This makes it timeless. The Griswold house is an icon. It shows the extreme effort people make for the holidays. The bright, over-the-top lights are a symbol of Christmas spirit. They also show how things can get out of control.

The Real Griswold House: Location and Facts

Many fans ask: Where is the Griswold house? Is it a real place? The answer is interesting. The outside of the house is real. It is located in a suburb of Chicago. The filming used a real house for the exterior shots. The inside scenes were filmed on a soundstage in Hollywood. This is common in movies. Let's look at the real exterior house.

The Actual House Address and Neighborhood

The famous house is in the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California. It is not in the Midwest. The ranch is a backlot with fake streets and house fronts. The Griswold house is one of these fronts. It is known as the "Columbus Street" set. The address used in the movie is fictional. It is 1859 View Ridge Drive, in a made-up Chicago suburb. You can see the house facade if you take a Warner Bros. Studio Tour. But you cannot go inside. It is just the front wall of a building.

For the movie, they decorated this fake house with thousands of lights. They also added fake snow. The neighborhood looked perfect for a Christmas card. In reality, the set is in sunny California. The crew had to use artificial snow. They used a material called soap foam. It looked like real snow on camera. The house has a classic American style. It looks like a cozy family home. This made it perfect for the movie.

Can You Visit the Griswold House?

Yes, but with limits. The Warner Bros. Ranch is not always open to the public. The best way to see it is on an official studio tour. These tours happen at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank. You need to book a ticket in advance. The tour guides will show you famous filming locations. The Griswold house is often a highlight during the holiday season. Sometimes, they even put up lights for photos. Check the studio's website for tour details and holiday events.

If you cannot go to Burbank, do not worry. You can see the house style in many American suburbs. The design is a classic Colonial Revival. Many homes built in the 1980s look similar. You can drive through neighborhoods in Illinois or Ohio. You might find a house that reminds you of the Griswolds. Some fans even decorate their own homes like the movie. They use lots of lights and plastic reindeer. This is a fun way to celebrate the film.

Behind the Scenes: Making the Movie Magic

Making Christmas Vacation was a big job. The crew worked hard to create the holiday look. They filmed in the summer. The temperature was very hot. The actors wore winter clothes. They had to pretend it was cold and snowy. Let's look at some fun behind-the-scenes facts.

The Famous Christmas Lights Scene

The scene where Clark puts up the lights is iconic. Chevy Chase's character is on the roof. He falls off many times. The lights finally work in a magical moment. How did they film this? The lights were real. The crew used over 25,000 bulbs for the house. They were all connected to one plug. In reality, this would blow a fuse. But for the movie, it created a beautiful display. The actor Chevy Chase did some of his own stunts. But a stunt double did the dangerous falls.

The light switch moment used special effects. They filmed the house dark. Then they filmed it with all lights on. They edited the scenes together. They also added a sound effect of a choir. This made the moment feel grand and funny. The lights were so bright they lit up the whole studio lot. According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), the light display cost over $200,000 to create. That was a lot of money in 1989.

The Interior Set Design

The inside of the Griswold house was built on a soundstage. The set designers made it look lived-in and cozy. They added many Christmas decorations. There was a big tree in the living room. The furniture was typical for a middle-class family in the 1980s. The kitchen was always messy. This showed the chaos of the holidays. The set had to be strong. Actors ran through it during chaotic scenes. The food used in the dinner scene was real. But it sat under hot lights for hours. The actors said it did not smell good by the end of the day.

Planning Your Own Griswold-Style Christmas Vacation

You do not need to go to Hollywood to enjoy the Griswold spirit. You can create a fun, festive holiday at home. Here are some practical tips. They are inspired by the movie. But they will help you avoid Clark's disasters.

Step-by-Step Guide to Extreme Decorating

Do you want to decorate your house like Clark Griswold? Follow this safe guide.

1. Plan Your Design. Draw a picture of your house. Decide where you want lights. Do not try to do everything in one day.
2. Check Your Lights. Before you put them up, test all strands. Replace any broken bulbs. Use LED lights. They use less power and are cooler.
3. Safety First. Use a sturdy ladder. Have someone hold it for you. Do not go on the roof if it is wet or icy. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
4. Use Timers. Plug your lights into a timer. They will turn on and off automatically. This saves energy. It also prevents overload.
5. Add Fun Elements. Think about plastic reindeer, a Santa sleigh, or giant candy canes. Place them in your yard. Make sure they are secure so they don't blow away.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 14,000 people go to the emergency room each year for holiday decorating injuries. Be careful. Do not be like Clark.

Hosting Family Without the Chaos

Family visits can be stressful. Here is how to keep things merry.

• Set Clear Expectations. Tell guests your schedule. When will meals be? What activities are planned? This reduces surprises.
• Prepare the Guest Room. Make it comfortable. Have extra blankets and towels. A small welcome basket with snacks is a nice touch.
• Plan Simple Meals. You do not need a giant turkey. Consider a potluck. Ask everyone to bring one dish. This shares the work.
• Have Activities Ready. Board games, Christmas movies, and cookie decorating are fun. They give people something to do. This prevents boredom and arguments.
• Take Breaks. It is okay to go for a short walk alone. A little quiet time helps you enjoy the visit more.

Fun Facts and Statistics About Christmas Vacation

Let's look at some interesting data about the movie and holiday trends.

Movie Popularity and Impact

Christmas Vacation has a huge fan base. A 2022 poll by YouGov found it is the 4th most popular Christmas movie in America. About 29% of people said it was their favorite. The movie also influences how people decorate. A survey by the American Christmas Tree Association says 1 in 3 people think about movie scenes when they decorate. The Griswold house is a top inspiration.

The film made about $71 million at the box office. That is a good result. But its real success came later. TV networks play it many times each December. This introduced it to new generations. Sales of DVD and digital copies stay strong every holiday season. The movie's quotes are famous. "Save the neck for me, Clark!" and "The blessing!" are often repeated.

Christmas Light Trends

Clark Griswold's love for lights started a trend. More people began using outdoor lights. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that holiday lighting uses about 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. That is a lot of power. But new technology helps. LED lights use up to 90% less energy than old incandescent bulbs. Many cities now have Christmas light competitions. Some homes use computer programs to sync lights to music. This is the modern version of Clark's dream.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to common questions about the Griswold house and movie.

1. Is the Griswold house a real home you can buy?

No. The exterior is a permanent film set on the Warner Bros. Ranch. It is not a real, livable house. It is just a facade with no rooms behind it.

2. Where was the interior of the house filmed?

All interior scenes were shot on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. The rooms were built just for the movie.

3. How many Christmas lights were used on the house?

The production used over 25,000 individual light bulbs. They were all standard incandescent Christmas lights available at the time.

4. What is the name of the dog in the movie?

The Griswold family dog is named Snots. He is the Aunt Bethany's dog that she brings to the house. He causes some messy problems.

5. Are there any real houses decorated like the Griswold house?

Yes! Many fans decorate their homes with extreme light displays. Some even use the same style. You can find videos of these homes on YouTube every Christmas.

6. Did they use real snow in the movie?

No. The movie was filmed in California during summer. They used artificial snow made from foam and plastic. It looked real on camera.

7. What other movies used the same house facade?

The Warner Bros. Ranch street has been used in many films and TV shows. It was also used in Gremlins and the TV show Pretty Little Liars.

Real-World Examples and Fan Tributes

The love for this movie is real. Fans show their appreciation in creative ways.

Griswold-Themed Holiday Parties

Some people host Christmas Vacation viewing parties. They serve foods from the movie. This includes turkey, ham, and Jell-O molds. They play games like "find the Jelly of the Month Club card." Guests wear ugly Christmas sweaters. They watch the movie together and say the lines out loud. It is a fun tradition for friend groups.

Home Decorating Contests

Many towns have Christmas light contests. Some families enter with a Griswold theme. They cover their house in multicolored lights. They put a statue of Clark on the roof. They might even have a fake RV parked in the driveway. These displays attract many visitors. They bring joy to the neighborhood. It is a great way to share the movie's humor.

Virtual Tours and Online Communities

You can find many resources online. The website Atlas Obscura has articles about movie locations. Fan forums discuss every detail of the film. On YouTube, you can take virtual tours of the Warner Bros. backlot. These let you see the house from your computer. Social media groups share photos of their decorations. They use hashtags like #GriswoldChristmas.

Conclusion: The Lasting Joy of the Griswold House

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is more than a movie. It is a holiday tradition. The Griswold house is a symbol of Christmas spirit. It shows the beauty and chaos of the season. Clark Griswold tries so hard to make things perfect. He fails in funny ways. But in the end, his family is together. That is what matters.

You can visit the movie house in Burbank. Or you can create your own festive home. Remember the movie's message. The holidays are about family, laughter, and love. Things will not be perfect. That is okay. Embrace the messy moments. They make the best stories. Turn on some Christmas lights. Watch the movie with your loved ones. Enjoy the simple joy of the season. Just maybe check your lights before you plug in 25,000 of them. Happy holidays, and don't forget the Jelly of the Month Club. It is the gift that keeps on giving.

Want to read about other famous movie locations? Check out our guide to film tourism destinations.