Christmas filming locations you can visit to get in the festive spirit

New research has revealed the iconic Christmas movie locations where fans can actually go and visit.

Photography experts at ParrotPrint.com have found filming locations from nine classic Christmas movies where visitors can wander around and explore.

Fans can see the iconic house where Mark expresses his love to Juliet in Love Actually and travel on the very train which inspired The Polar Express.

Each year people from all over the world snuggle up with a hot chocolate and blankets and put on their favourite Christmas film to get into the festive spirit.

Christmas movie lovers are now able to travel to their favourite filming locations to step inside the world of their favourite seasonal films.

Matt Dahan from ParrotPrint said: “Watching a Christmas film is the perfect way to get into the festive spirit come winter time. Everyone has their favourite movie which they will watch every single year without fail so we thought we’d look into where some of these movies were filmed.

“You can take a trip on the very train to the Michigan Christmas Village which inspired The Polar Express, and go ice skating underneath the beautiful Rockefeller Christmas tree where Buddy and Jovie have their first kiss in Elf.

“You can also visit some iconic homes of Christmas movie characters – like the McCallisters house in Illinois from Home Alone and Ralphie Parker’s home in A Christmas Story – which has also been turned into a museum dedicated to the film.

“Take a trip to visit some of these classic festive filming locations to get you in the festive mood this Christmastime.”

ParrotPrint’s iconic Christmas filming locations to get in the festive feels:

1. Shere, Surrey – The Holiday
Fans of this Christmas classic will want to take a trip to visit Iris’ sweet cottage, but unfortunately her cosy home was a set built for filming. However, visitors can explore the chocolate-box village where Amada spends the festive season. Shere in Surrey is an idyllic and traditional English countryside setting; visitors can spend the day peacefully strolling around, visit the quaint tearooms and admire the gorgeous landscape the village and surrounding areas have to offer.

2. St. Lukes Mews, Notting Hill – Love Actually
A staple showing on TVs across the country come Christmastime, fans of Love Actually can visit the iconic scene where Mark expresses his love to Juliet on her doorstep with a series of handwritten signs. The pretty street is St. Lukes Mews in Notting Hill, London – and the pink home – number 27 – has become a tourist hotspot for lovers of this Christmas classic.

3. 671 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, Illinois – Home Alone 2
The home of the McCallisters is a very impressive red-brick home that attracts fans from all over the world. This gorgeous village in Illinois is bound to get anyone in the Christmas spirit as the neighbourhood is decorated with lots of lights for the festive season, just like in the Home Alone films.

4. The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center, NYC – Elf
Elf is a Christmas favourite for a reason – the fun movie will get anyone in the spirit. The majority of filming took place over New York City, featuring the iconic scenery from the Empire State Building to Macy’s department store – all of which can be visited on a dreamy trip to the Big Apple. But one of the most festive things to do is go skating on the ice rink at the Rockefeller Centre, where Buddy and Jovie go on a Christmassy date and share their first kiss on the ice.

5. 3159 W 11th St, Cleveland, Ohio – A Christmas Story
The exterior and some interior rooms were used for filming this Christmas comedy film and there is now a tourist attraction for fans of A Christmas Story. The museum has some iconic props used in the film as well as behind-the-scenes photos and a gift shop. Open to the public all year round, the iconic home of Ralphie Parker is a must-stop for Christmas fans.

6. Oakville, Canada – The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause is a Christmas staple for many and was filmed all around Oakville – Ontario’s largest town. The home of Scott Calvin is located at 17 Chisholm Street, with other character’s homes being shot in Oakville too, as well as some Christmassy street shots too. Oakville hosts an annual Santa Claus parade, which is a great way to get in the spirit whilst also exploring some of the iconic locations from the film.

7. Coventry Cathedral – Nativity!
The cathedral ruins in Coventry destroyed from WWII was the feature of the Nativity performance in this Christmas favourite film. Coventry Cathedral hosts lots of different festivities, services and musical performances perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit like the children in Nativity! other sites in the area, such as Warwick Castle, feature in the Nativity! series.

8. Fox Plaza Tower, LA – Die Hard
Die Hard has been contested as a Christmas film since its release in 1988. This classic is set on Christmas Eve and is a staple watch for many of us over the festive season. Fans of Die Hard can visit the 493 metre skyscraper to see the site where John McClane defeats the terrorists and makes his iconic jump off the roof.

9. Owosso, Michigan – The Polar Express
Fans of The Polar Express can experience this Christmas classic film for themselves, by travelling on the very train which inspired the animated version. Starting in Owosso, Michigan, the steam train North Pole Express journey travels a four hour round trip to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas. Travellers can take a trip back in time to experience Christmas in the 1940s and 50s, take part in activities, rides and visit the gift shop and meet Santa.