“A Christmas Story” is one of most beloved Christmas movies that families watch each year as a holiday tradition. I am a little ashamed to admit that I saw the movie for the first time in 2023. After visiting the house while in Cleveland over the holidays, I finally took the time to watch the film and both the house tour and the film are now highly recommended Christmas activities to all family and friends.
If you’re looking for some Christmas nostalgia this holiday season, you’ll definitely want to check out the iconic house from “A Christmas Story”, the famous Christmas comedy filmed in 1983. Located at 3159 W 11th Street in Downtown, Cleveland, “A Christmas Story” house has been restored to its former glory and sees thousands of visitors year round from all over the world.
In 2022, the future of “A Christmas Story” House was up in the air, as the current owner at the time, Brian Jones, was considering selling the property. This led Clevelanders and fans of the film overwhelmed with concern of what would happen to the beloved house. Many thought the home may be shut down permanently. Luckily, the CEO of the company that already owned the house, Joshua Dickerson, stepped up and purchased it to carry on its place in our collective culture. Now, better than ever, “A Christmas Story” House is open again.
On the property is “A Christmas Story” House, The Bumpus House next door, and A Christmas Story Museum and Gift Shop just across the street. The decor and rooms have been set up and decorated just like how they appeared in the movie. Visitors can interact with props seen in the movie like a bar of soap on the bathroom sink, touch the leg lamp in the window, or hide under the sink in the kitchen. Guests are welcome to book a stay in the house.
Per their website: Overnight guests have use of “A Christmas Story” House’s private third floor loft for the entirety of their stay and use of the whole house from an hour after closing until 9 am the following day. The house can accommodate up to 6 guests per night. The loft area is equipped with a bedroom, living room, full kitchen and full bath. Sleeping arrangements include a queen bed, queen sleeper sofa and Ralphie and Randy’s twin beds. The rate for bookings begins at $395 per night and varies with the season.
The Bumpus House next door was the fictional home of Ralphie’s neighbors. In the movie, the Bumpuses harassed Ralphie’s Old Man and their smelly hounds stole the Christmas turkey. Visitors can also book a stay at The Bumpus House. The home is decorated with 1940’s decor and the Bumpuses hillbilly flare.
The details for your stay are as featured on their website: The “Hound Dog Haven” suite on the first floor can accommodate up to 4 guests per night and the “Stolen Turkey” suite, which encompasses the second and third floors, can accommodate up to 6 guests per night. Guests can also rent the entire house. Rates start at $195 per night and vary with the season. The first-floor suite is handicap accessible with ramp access and accessible features inside.
The Christmas Story House Museum features original memorabilia, props, and costumes. Items such as Randy’s snowsuit, Ralphie’s Red Ryder BB gun, the leg lamp, and the family’s car are all available for viewing along with dozens of others items. The museum also houses a collection of hundreds of behind the scenes photos from the filming of the movie.
The gift shop, located right next door, holds tons of fun gifts, including your own pink bunny suit, a Red Ryder BB gun, leg lamp replicas, ornaments, plushies, and more. Just about every gift you can think of that is A Christmas Story related can most definitely be found here. All proceeds from gift shop and overnight purchases go directly to supporting and maintaining all the Christmas Story buildings on the property.
The house, museum, and gift shop are open all year from Sunday through Thursday, 10am to 7pm and Friday and Saturday, 10am to 9pm. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. Admission is affordable at $18 for adults, $16 for those that are 60+, $13 for children 3 to 12 years old, and free for children under 3. Tickets include your tour of the Christmas Story House and access to the gift shop and museum. Tickets can also be used for up to one year.
As the holiday season approaches, the lines to buy tickets and enter the house will get longer and wait times can be lengthy, so make sure you bundle up or purchase your Fast Pass tickets in the gift shop for $50 to skip the line. Fast Pass tickets are only available on select days. Free onsite parking is offered, with two parking lots directly next to the Christmas Story House and the museum.
On- street parking is also available. In the meantime, you can visit “A Christmas Story” House website. Here you can shop online straight from the onsite gift shop, find details for booking a stay, buy tickets, and even see a live feed of the property. There is even a section to purchase your very own Cameo from Zack Ward aka Scut Farkus, Ralphie’s bully. We hope you’re able to make a visit to “A Christmas Story” House and enjoy all of its wonderful, and funny, Christmas memories.
Words by Emily Cigan @emily.cigan and Amy Harris @thetraveladdictig