You know it’s the holiday season when it’s time to unwrap the "A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit, on display at Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. If you have never been to this spectacular display, then you don’t yet know what you’re missing! This exhibit is free to view and is open from November 12 - December 30, 2022.
This annual exhibit is centered on the popular movie - I am sure you have seen once, twice, or more than 20 times - “A Christmas Story.” The six Macy’s window displays showcase the fictional town of Hohman which is really, low and behold, the author (and movie narrator) Jean Shepherd’s hometown, Hammond, Indiana!
2022 is an exciting year for us because everything is BACK! For the past couple of years, we've had to take special precautions, but the exhibit, special events and Santa photos have all returned to their original form!
Santa is once again sitting on top of Santa's Mountain in the exhibit hall for photos. Climb the stairs to tell Santa what you want for Christmas, get your photo, then slide down the big red slide. You can see Santa's hours and schedule a time here. Walk-ins are available if Santa has an opening.
You can also bring your dogs and cats back on by to get their photos with Santa on Wag Your Tail Wednesdays - November 30, December 14 and December 21, 2022.
Locals' favorite events are also back - the Oh Fuuudge Relay Race is December 10, 2022, and Mommy's Little Piggy Contest is December 17, 2022. In the relay race, teams "change a tire" and run through an obstacle course while holding a hubcap full of lug nuts steady. For the Little Piggy contest, participants race to finish the most mashed potatoes in the least amount of time.
Other special events include Holiday for Heroes, exclusively for our first responders (police, fire, EMS, Hoosier Helpers, and retired or active military) on December 15, 2022. Families can explore the exhibit, visit with Santa, and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. There's also All Is Calm on December 13, 2022. Santa will be available for photos on this sensory-friendly and accessible day for kids and adults of all ages. Schedule for Santa photos at Holiday for Heroes here and All is Calm here.
No house is complete without its very own leg lamp to display! Pick one up (desk or regular sized) and more themed items at the gift shop. Browse through our South Shore Line posters and locally made items for the perfect gift for the holidays.
Make sure to stop at the photo booth in the exhibit hall before you leave. Pose for your picture, then you can share your visit online with family and friends.
Our traveling window display
One of our window displays, the Parker’s Living Room scene, has traveled around the region on display at local businesses. This year its home is in downtown Crown Point in a window next to Square Roots restaurant. If you go take a peek, see if you can also find our tree with a familiar lamp on top amongst the business-decorated trees surrounding the courthouse.
Visit AChristmasStoryComesHome.com for more details. The Indiana Welcome Center is conveniently located off of I-80/94 & Kennedy Avenue South in Hammond; about 20 minutes from Chicago and two hours from Indianapolis.
