The cult classic Home Alone can undoubtedly be considered one of the ultimate Christmas films, together with its sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. It is one of those movies that people return to year after year, ready to be instantly swept up in the magic and spirit of the festive season.
This year, 35 years after its original release, Home Alone will once again light up cinema screens across Italy. Showing from 4 to 10 December 2025, it will make its return in a newly restored 4K version, offering audiences a chance to experience the film like never before.
From the snow-covered driveways of the McCallister family home to the vast airport terminal, and the iconic church, let’s explore the real-life locations that helped turn this film into a timeless Christmas favourite.
“Home Alone”: what the film is really about
Written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone is a classic family comedy set in Chicago.
When the McCallisters head to Paris for the holidays, they accidentally leave behind their youngest son, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin). At first, Kevin revels in the unexpected freedom, but his excitement quickly fades when he finds himself up against two hapless burglars, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), determined to rob the house. Armed with creativity, wit and an impressive array of homemade traps, Kevin bravely defends his home, turning a family oversight into a heart-warming adventure filled with courage, imagination and festive spirit.
Where was Home Alone filmed?
Since its release in 1990, the film has steadily gained cultural and nostalgic value. Beyond the unforgettable characters and their amusing mishaps, much of its enduring charm lies in the iconic locations, which have become legendary in their own right.
So, let’s explore the key places that helped Home Alone become a timeless Christmas classic:
McCallister House
Without a doubt, Kevin McCallister’s house is the central setting of the film, the heart of the storyline and the stage for all the ingenious booby traps the young protagonist sets up to fend off the two burglars. These scenes were filmed in a real house in Winnetka, Illinois, located about 15 miles north of downtown Chicago.
The now-iconic McCallister residence, at 671 Lincoln Avenue, with its quintessential American suburban charm, classic interiors, vintage chandeliers and grand staircase, has become something of a pilgrimage spot for fans of the film.
How to visit it? From Chicago, take the Metra commuter train from the Ogilvie Transportation Center. Once in Winnetka, it only takes a short walk or quick drive along Lincoln Avenue to reach the famous address that “Home Alone” helped immortalise.
The airport
Now to the memorable airport scenes. Filming took place at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest hubs in the world. When the film was released, the airport was undergoing renovation, with new art installations and sculptures providing the backdrop to the iconic running scenes of the characters. Among these is “SkyWhale” by British artist Kenneth Snelson, an impressive piece depicting whales suspended among clouds, which can still be seen today in the main corridors.
What many might not know is that even the arrival scenes (supposedly set in Paris) were actually filmed at O’Hare rather than a French airport.
Getting to Chicago O’Hare International Airport is straightforward: it is well connected by buses, trains and taxis, and is approximately a 45-minute drive from downtown Chicago.
The Pharmacy
One of the most memorable scenes in Home Alone is the moment when Kevin walks into a pharmacy to buy a toothbrush. This iconic sequence was filmed at Hubbard Woods Pharmacy, located at the junction of Gage Street and Green Bay Road, just one stop north of Winnetka. The scene offers a lovely glimpse of the original building, showcasing its distinctive 1950s charm.
Today, although the historic pharmacy closed in 2015, a different shop occupies the building, which has preserved much of its original architectural appeal. The façade remains intact and instantly recognisable to fans of the film.
Anyone wishing to visit the filming location can simply take a Metra Commuter Rail train from downtown Chicago to Winnetka station, then walk for around eight minutes towards Gage Street and Green Bay Road.
The Church
We end with one of the film’s most touching moments: the church scene. This sequence was filmed inside Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park, Illinois, a beautiful sanctuary built in 1898 and inspired by St Paul’s in Knightsbridge, London. Designed by architect John Sutcliffe, the church is renowned for its stained-glass windows and its warm, atmospheric interior, a perfect setting for a moment of reflection and reconciliation between Kevin and Marley.
Grace Episcopal Church is located at 924 Lake Street, Oak Park, around 20 minutes from central Chicago. It is easily accessible via the Green Line of the Chicago ‘L’: start at Washington/Wabash, and once you arrive at the Oak Park stop, it’s just a short walk.
Today, it remains a place full of charm, drawing visitors and film enthusiasts eager to relive one of the most emotional scenes of this Christmas classic in its authentic setting.
Article translated by Agnese Giardini
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