The place to be on Groundhog Day, Feb.2, 2026, is Woodstock, IL. The county seat of McHenry County, Illinois, it is 51 miles northwest of Chicago. So why Woodstock?
The town was immortalized in “filmdom” when Harold Ramis found it while looking for a town nearer his north suburban Chicago home to shoot Groundhog Day scenes rather than the PA area where the actual ceremony takes place.
A couple of background scenes were filmed in PA but most of the movie, filmed in 1993, was shot in Woodstock, IL
Directed by Ramis from a screenplay by Danny Rubin and Ramis, the action reportedly takes place in Punxsutawney, Pa. about 80 miles from Pittsburgh. But when Ramis saw the town, he is quoted on Woodstock’s site as saying “This is what Punxsutawney should look like.”
A fun “romcom” featuring Bill Murray, Andie Macdowell and Chris Elliott, the movie takes viewers through Murray’s character changes as he is stuck in a town he doesn’t think he likes due to a snow storm.
To re-live the movie, see where it was shot and enjoy some of its action, go to Woodstock.
For the town’s events visit Woodstock, IL Groundhog Days – Every Day is Groundhog Day in Woodstock
For more about Groundhog Day visit Groundhog Day 2026: What and When is Groundhog Day? | The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Jodie Jacobs
ccording to The Old Farmer’s Almanac long-range weather forecast, February 2, 2026, will bring snow showers to Punxsutawney, PA, home of the most famous groundhog