The killer clown Pennywise spooky merchandise at Walton Street’s We Made It shop. Credit: Port Hope Tourism
Pennywise’s Home Away from Derry: Why Port Hope Is Every Horror Fan’s Dream Stop
The quiet streets of Port Hope, Ontario, might look like a picture of small-town charm. But step closer, and you’ll see a different kind of welcome — red balloons floating in shop windows, a chilling nod to Stephen King’s It.
This town of 16,000 has become an unlikely global attraction for fans of Pennywise, the terrifying clown who first haunted readers in King’s 1986 novel and later terrified millions on screen.
From Port Hope to Derry
Port Hope’s transformation began when the producers of the 2017 film It chose it to stand in for Derry, Maine — the fictional town cursed by Pennywise. The film became a worldwide hit, earning over $700 million, followed by It Chapter Two in 2019, which grossed nearly half a billion.
Now, the story continues with It: Welcome to Derry, a prequel series premiering on HBO. Set in 1962, it explores Pennywise’s earlier horrors and introduces Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon, the grandparents of Mike Hanlon from the original story. Once again, Port Hope’s picturesque streets and 19th-century architecture take center stage.
In the new miniseries “It: Welcome to Derry,” Port Hope, Ont., stands in for the fictional Derry, Maine. HBO
A Town Perfect for the Haunting
With its brick facades, tree-lined avenues, and the Ganaraska River standing in for Derry’s Kenduskeag Stream, Port Hope feels like a slice of New England history. It’s little wonder the producers keep returning.
Mayor Olena Hankivsky says the connection between Port Hope and It has been nothing but positive. “Everyone here is proud to see their town on screen,” she said. “It brings people together — and it brings the world here.”
Big Screen, Bigger Impact
The film industry’s presence has also given Port Hope a strong economic boost. According to the Motion Picture Association, It Chapter Two generated more than $56 million for Ontario through construction, catering, and location costs.
For the new series, the town council estimates the local spend at over $1.5 million — not including the money spent by cast and crew during filming. Across Canada, foreign film production reached nearly $6.9 billion last year, and Port Hope has proudly claimed its piece of that success.
Port Hope was transformed into 1960s small-town Maine for “It: Welcome to Derry.” Torstar
Horror Tourism at Its Best
Tourists now arrive from across the world to visit Port Hope’s eerie alter ego. Fans explore sites like the bandshell where Pennywise reappears in It Chapter Two, the Town Hall (which plays Derry’s Public Library), and the historic Capitol Theatre — a chilling location featured in the new series.
Local businesses have embraced the spooky fame. At Furby House Books, co-owner Chris Jiggins, who even has a cameo in It: Welcome to Derry, greets visitors eager to talk horror. “We’ve had people from Colorado, even Italy,” he said. “They come to see Derry for real.”
The store offers handmade “Derry” buttons, Pennywise-themed merchandise, and red balloon keepsakes — souvenirs that connect fans to the story’s haunting atmosphere.
A Town That Plays Along
Just down the street, vintage shop On 2nd Thought sells customized clothing stitched with the iconic red balloon symbol. Local pubs, including the Thirsty Goose and Hotel Carlyle, serve “It”-inspired drinks, while the Ganaraska Brewing Company pours a Float Cream Ale — a clever nod to the film’s haunting line, “You’ll float too.”
Jessica Dodd, owner of the Beamish Pub, wears an “It”-inspired shirt. Port Hope Tourism
Queenies owner and city councillor Adam Pearson with Queenies’ Esmee on Walton Street, across from the Capitol Theatre. Port Hope Tourism
To help visitors find every eerie corner, Port Hope Tourism created an interactive walking map of filming locations. One popular stop, the Schuuz shoe store, was transformed into Derry’s Quality Meats for the shoot — so convincingly that some tourists tried to buy meat there.
At Queenies Bake Shop, owner and councillor Adam Pearson recalled the surreal filming days. “Bill Skarsgård used our café as a dressing room,” he laughed. “We even played music on the piano with Jessica Chastain between takes.”
A Halloween Haven
Today, Port Hope is leaning into its spooky side with a “Spooky Season” campaign, including Halloween events and a red-carpet screening of It: Welcome to Derry at the Capitol Theatre on October 29.
Mayor Hankivsky confirmed that if future prequels return, Port Hope will be ready. “This town loves storytelling,” she said. “And we love being part of the magic that makes people believe — and shiver.”
Not everyone feels the fear, though. One local bartender at the Hotel Carlyle shrugged while mixing the pub’s signature “It” cocktail. “I’ve never seen the movies,” he said. “Clowns just don’t scare me.”
The Capitol Theatre in Port Hope doubled as the movie theatre in “It: Welcome to Derry.” HBO
Still, for thousands of fans visiting Port Hope, the legend of Pennywise — and the town that brought Derry to life — remains thrillingly real.
