The Christmas Chronicles is an American holiday comedy produced by 1492 Pictures and Netflix, directed by Clay Kaytis. The movie stars Kurt Russell as a modern, adventurous Santa Claus, along with Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, and Lamorne Morris.
The movie is about two siblings, Kate and Teddy Pierce, who accidentally crash Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. The kids sneak into his sleigh to try to catch him on camera, but instead they end up on a crazy, unforgettable adventure with Santa Claus himself. The three of them have to work together to save Christmas before morning. They see reindeer, flying elves, and car chases along the way, and they even end up in jail. The movie is a great choice for the whole family because it has a lot of funny, action-packed, and festive moments.
On Netfilming, we’ll explore The Christmas Chronicles filming locations and give you an inside look at where the festive magic was captured.
The Christmas Chronicles Filming Locations
The Christmas Chronicles is set in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Chicago, Illinois, but most of the filming happened in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with a few other spots sprinkled in. Toronto’s versatile cityscape and snowy charm made it the perfect stand-in for the movie’s festive vibe. Below, we break down the key filming locations and share what the filmmakers said about them.
Leslieville, Toronto (Kate and Teddy’s Home)
The house scenes in the movie were filmed in the quiet neighborhood of Leslieville in Toronto. The actual house is located at 18 Coady Avenue.
“We wanted a cozy, real neighborhood vibe. Toronto’s Leslieville gave us exactly that,” said director Clay Kaytis.
Trivia: Leslieville has also appeared in shows like The Umbrella Academy and Orphan Black.
Pinewood Toronto Studios (North Pole and Interior Sets)
Much of the North Pole, jail scenes, and sleigh interiors were filmed at Pinewood Toronto Studios (located at 225 Commissioners St, Toronto, ON M4M 0A1, Canada), one of the city’s most advanced soundstage complexes.
“Building Santa’s workshop from scratch was a dream come true. Pinewood gave us the space to go wild with imagination,” shared producer Chris Columbus.
Trivia: Pinewood Studios is also known for hosting big-budget films like It and The Shape of Water.
Old Unilever Soap Factory, Toronto (Sleigh Crash Scene)
The dramatic sleigh crash sequence was shot at the now-demolished Unilever building, located near Gardiner Expressway & Don Valley Parkway.
“It was the perfect industrial zone for a high-stakes landing. We brought in snow, lighting, and even fire effects,” said Kaytis.
Trivia: This site has been used in other productions, including Suicide Squad.
Bay Adelaide Centre / The PATH (Reindeer Chase Scene)
When Santa’s reindeer run through the city, those scenes were filmed at Bay Adelaide Centre and the connected PATH network, downtown Toronto’s underground walkway.
“Filming in the PATH was logistically tricky, but it gave the chase a unique urban twist,” explained location manager Trevor Rutherford.
Trivia: The PATH is also featured in films like Resident Evil: Retribution.
St. James’s Gate Pub, Etobicoke (Nick’s Place)
The bar where the kids and Santa meet a bartender was filmed at St. James’s Gate pub on Dundas Street West in Etobicoke.
Trivia: This pub is a favorite for local shoots and has appeared in Canadian dramas and indie films.
Cathedral Church of St. James (Final Scene)
The final heartfelt scene near the church was filmed at the Cathedral Church of St. James, a historical landmark in Toronto.
“There’s something magical about this location, especially when lit up with Christmas décor,” said set designer Jon Hutman.
When Did the Filming of The Christmas Chronicles Take Place?
Filming for The Christmas Chronicles began in January 2018 and wrapped up by April 2018. The production team worked through Toronto’s chilly weather to create a perfect winter backdrop.
Production Timeline
| Phase | Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-Production Start | October 2017 |
| Filming Began | January 2018 |
| Filming Wrapped | April 2018 |
| Post-Production | May–August 2018 |
| Official Release | November 22, 2018 |
The Christmas Chronicles Behind The Scenes
Making The Christmas Chronicles was a fun holiday project that got everyone in the holiday spirit. Filming in Toronto in the winter brought real snow to the set, which made the scenes feel real. Making The Christmas Chronicles was a fun holiday project that got everyone in the holiday spirit. Filming in Toronto in the winter brought real snow to the set, which made the scenes feel real. The team built an entire North Pole workshop from scratch inside Pinewood Studios, using thousands of props and tonnes of artificial snow.
Kurt Russell, who played Santa Claus, was deeply involved in shaping the character.
“I wanted to bring charm and adventure to Santa—less jolly, more heroic,” said Russell in a behind-the-scenes interview with Netflix.
The sleigh crash scene in Hamilton required intricate stunt work, with over 50 crew members coordinating the chaos. Director Clay Kaytis focused on blending humor with heart, saying, “We aimed for a Christmas movie that feels fresh but timeless.”
Producer Chris Columbus added,
“The energy on set was magical. Even off camera, Kurt stayed in character. Kids on set were star-struck!”
The cast got closer during breaks for hot chocolate during cold night shoots, which added to the family feel. To make the holiday magic come to life on screen, they used a mix of real-life sets and computer-generated imagery (CGI) to make things like Santa’s magical sack.
The Christmas Chronicles Cast Details
- Kurt Russell as Santa Claus
- Darby Camp as Kate Pierce
- Judah Lewis as Teddy Pierce
- Lamorne Morris as Officer Mikey Jameson
- Martin Roach as Officer Dave Poveda
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Claire Pierce
- Goldie Hawn (cameo) as Mrs. Claus
Where to Watch The Christmas Chronicles
Looking to enjoy the holiday cheer of The Christmas Chronicles? Here’s the best way to stream it:
- Netflix – This festive film is available to stream exclusively on Netflix worldwide. You can watch in HD or 4K (depending on your plan) with multiple audio options.
- Netflix (Standard with Ads) – A lower-cost streaming option also includes the film, still in HD quality
Unfortunately, The Christmas Chronicles is not currently available on free or ad-supported platforms.
The Christmas Chronicles Official Trailer
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