The perennial holiday favourite splits its world neatly across the border: Ralphie’s beloved house is a real home in Cleveland, Ohio – now a museum you can actually stay in – while much of the town and the interiors were shot in Toronto. One leg lamp, two countries.
Where was A Christmas Story filmed?
A Christmas Story was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio (Ralphie’s house and downtown) and in Toronto and Ontario, Canada (many street scenes and interiors).
Every A Christmas Story location, explained
Ralphie’s house – Cleveland
The iconic house, with its leg-lamp window, is a real home in the Tremont neighbourhood of Cleveland – now the A Christmas Story House museum.
Downtown Cleveland – Higbee’s
The department-store scenes used the real Higbee’s in downtown Cleveland, home to the Santa slide and the window displays.
Toronto – the Chop Suey Palace and streets
Many street scenes and the Chinese-restaurant finale were shot in Toronto, including the Chop Suey Palace on Gerrard Street East.
Ontario schools
Ralphie’s schoolyard and classroom scenes used schools in Ontario towns such as St. Catharines and Lindsay.
Planning a visit
The A Christmas Story House in Cleveland is fully restored, open for tours – and you can even book an overnight stay. Downtown Cleveland and Toronto‘s Gerrard Street add the rest of the film’s world.
