If you have ever driven east down Lake Street in Wilmette, you’ve probably passed the famous church from Home Alone.  In fact, this entire  1990 John Hughes film was shot in Wilmette and Winetka.

The Christmas classic centers around young Kevin McCallister, played by Maculay Caulking, who is the youngest  five children and feels forgotten amid his dozens of cousins, aunts and uncles preparing to leave for Christmas vacation to France.  After wishing that his family would disappear, Kevin wakes up to find that they really have!

While the rest of the family flies to France, Kevin stays home alone for the week living many of the junk-food-eating, bad-TV-watching fantasies of kids everywhere.  When two doltish burglars threaten the house, Kevin realizes that it’s up to him to protect his home. The elaborate schemes Kevin plans to defend his house and thwart the robbers is nothing but pure genius that will leave you smiling all the way to grandma’s house.

Other stars include Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and John Candy.

With humorous and touching moments, family drama and the good-old-fashioned Holiday spirit, Home Alone is perfect for a night of laughs and hot cocoa. If you’re also looking for winter activities, tour around Wilmette and see if you can spot some of the sites from the movie!