You’ll find Candy Cane Lane on one of Universal’s most recognizable streets

Starring Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Nick Offerman, and many more recognizable faces along the way, Candy Cane Lane tells the story of the Carver family, as they compete in a yearly holiday house decorating contest to win one hundred thousand dollars. 

After losing his job just a few days before Christmas, Chris (Murphy) puts job hunting on the back burner in service of creating a festive masterpiece on his front lawn.

And yes, in case you’re wondering, we felt those Deck The Halls vibes too!

Enlisting the help of his youngest child Holly (sibling of Joy and Nick… get it?), he stumbles across Kringles, a magical Christmas shop where Pepper the elf sells him a ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, Christmas tree.

When it and the ornaments from each of the twelve days unexpectedly come to life and flee the tree on the night of the competition, Chris and his family must find the five golden rings in time or Pepper, who it turns out was exiled from Santa’s workshop, will turn him into a singing ceramic Christmas ornament. 

Is it a classic Christmas tale? Not exactly. Is it a little offbeat? Sure.

But did we have fun with the movie and love seeing all of the houses alight and twinkling ahead of the big day? You bet we did!

Now, we know you’re wondering if Candy Cane Lane is a real place, whether you can visit, and if they actually shut down a whole street to film the movie there.

Well, you can have yourself a merry little Christmas because we’ve done the research for you and can answer all of these questions and more – happy holidays!

Is Candy Cane Lane a real place?

Yes, Candy Cane Lane is a very real place located on East Acacia Avenue in El Segundo, California. Every year since 1949, with an understandable one-year hiatus in 2020, the street comes alive in a spectacle of Christmas lights and festive displays made by the residents.

With nightly shows from December 9th – 23rd, and visits every other evening from Santa himself, it’s a sight to behold and definitely one for the bucket list!

Unlike in the movie, there is no competition between neighbors.

Instead, the displays serve to bring the residents and the community together in celebration of the season.

Did they film Candy Cane Lane on the actual Candy Cane Lane?

Whilst it might look just like the real thing, scenes outside the Carver house were actually all shot on a stage.

Where? None other than Colonial Street at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Setting the backdrop for many of our favorite films and television series over the years, if you’re thinking it looks familiar it probably does!

Other productions filmed on Universal Studio’s Colonial Street

Arguably the most recognizable show shot here was Desperate Housewives.

Since the street was as much a character as the residents themselves, we wouldn’t be surprised if some…