Great American Media’s 2024 holiday TV movie ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS WISH, directed by Brian Herzlinger and co-written by Megan Henry Herzlinger, brings a festive and magical story to life with a deeply personal twist. The film stars Mario Lopez as Brian, the mayor of a quaint town named Long Grove, where his childhood Christmas wish list unexpectedly begins coming true. Alongside him are his real-life wife Courtney Lopez, who plays Nina Meyers, and their son Dominic Lopez.
This heartwarming tale unfolds as Brian rediscovers the power of belief and holiday spirit. With wishes coming to life—including a magical dance sequence, the appearance of a dream car, and the return of a childhood crush—Brian also faces a challenge to preserve his town’s charm against a looming business development.
But beyond the narrative, what truly sets this movie apart is its authentic backdrop. let’s take a look, where is the movie filmed.
WHERE WAS ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS WISH FILMED?
The movie was shot in late March and April 2024 in Long Grove, Illinois, a small village located about 35 miles northwest of Chicago. Despite being filmed in spring, the production team transformed the town into a snowy, festive setting to reflect the holiday season. Snow machines, garlands, and Christmas lights recreated the winter magic necessary for the story.
FILMING LOCATIONS IN LONG GROVE
1. The Historic Long Grove Covered Bridge
One of the most iconic visuals in the movie features Mario and Courtney Lopez filming near the Long Grove Covered Bridge, a local landmark known for its picturesque design. Built in 1906, the bridge adds vintage charm and is often decorated seasonally by the town. It became a central backdrop for several key scenes in the movie. The bridge is not only central to the town’s history but also frequently visited during local festivals, making it a meaningful choice for showcasing community spirit in the film.
2. Sock Monkey Museum
Another unique and delightful location used in the film is Long Grove’s Sock Monkey Museum. Known for its quirky displays and fun educational experience, the museum brings in a cozy and family-friendly vibe. It’s an unexpected gem that perfectly complements the movie’s whimsical storyline about childhood dreams and holiday wishes coming true.
3. Vintage Charm Homestead
The film also shot scenes inside Vintage Charm Homestead, a boutique home decor and arts store in Long Grove. With its festive seasonal layout, cozy lighting, and small-town feel, it captures the essence of a holiday village square. The shop’s real-life charm translated beautifully onto the screen, helping to build the magical atmosphere essential to the film.
4. Long Grove Hardware Store
A staple of the town, the Long Grove Hardware Store was used for multiple scenes as well. Its small-town feel and authentic storefront enhanced the sense of place and brought realism to the story’s setting. The producers utilized the store’s original layout, adding Christmas lights and props for added cheer.
5. Downtown Long Grove
Downtown Long Grove, known for its old-fashioned shops, cobblestone paths, and holiday decor, provided an ideal setting for the Christmas-themed scenes. It’s likely that many of the film’s outdoor shots were captured here.
The Lopez family stayed in the area for three weeks during filming, creating not just a movie, but lifelong memories. Courtney Lopez shared that the experience was very special and praised the beauty of the town and the kindness of the locals.
WHY ILLINOIS IS BECOMING A HOLIDAY MOVIE HUB
Over the past few years, Illinois—particularly the suburbs around Chicago—has quietly become a popular spot for holiday movie productions. Between 2018 and 2023, more than a dozen holiday films were partially or fully shot in the Chicago area. The Illinois Film Office notes that towns like Long Grove and Libertyville offer a naturally festive environment, complete with quaint streets, traditional architecture, and enthusiastic local support.
Assistant Deputy Director Louis Ferrara of the Illinois Film Office highlighted how these towns decorate for the holidays as early as November, making them ideal settings. “These villages exist in this manner every year,” he said, which gives filmmakers a ready-made backdrop for their stories.
Although snow is never guaranteed, the climate provides a reasonable chance during winter. And when it’s not snowy, filmmakers make it work with artificial snow and special effects.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR FILMMAKERS
Illinois also offers a competitive 30% tax credit for production spending and local labor, thanks to the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Act. This program, combined with a strong local crew base and rental infrastructure, makes the state an attractive filming destination—especially for lower-budget holiday films.
FUN FACT FROM BEHIND THE SCENES
During filming, the Lopez family was welcomed with open arms by the local residents, and the village itself became part of the story — not just a backdrop. In an interview, Mario Lopez called the project “a love letter to the town of Long Grove,” praising the warmth and hospitality of the people. He described the experience of filming in the town as magical, noting that they witnessed all four seasons during production — adding to the authenticity and charm of the holiday feel.
One notable prop in the movie is the vintage red Corvette convertible, which Brian receives as his dream car. Though the film describes it as a 1957 model, the actual car used has four headlights (two on each side), making it more likely a 1959 or 1960 Corvette. Car enthusiasts quickly picked up on this visual detail, noting the distinction.
OFFICAL TRAILER
For more news and updates on filming locations, stay tuned to netfilming.com.
