Joy lives here: Hallmark Channel announces annual 'Countdown to Christmas'

Mark your Hallmark movie checklist and check it twice, because ‘Countdown to Christmas’ gifts viewers holiday filled with everything nice!

√ Evergreen, #1 yuletide viewing destination set to ‘sleigh’ its 17th season

√ Led by 3 movie events, viewers will be treated to supersized lineup of 34 original premieres debuting across 10 weeks, every Friday, Saturday & Sunday night, for merriest holiday ever

√ Season 3 of ‘Mistletoe Murders’ makes Thursdays thrilling starting Nov. 5

√ Full schedule for ‘Countdown to Christmas’ available HERE 

Hallmark Channel press release & images

Before the final snowflake fell during last year’s “Countdown to Christmas,” Hallmark Channel’s holiday elves were already in their workshop planning the 17th annual lineup for 2026. It boasts 10 more original movie premieres than 2025 – making the total count of 34 original movies the most ever to premiere during Hallmark Channel’s yearly event.

Brimming with heartfelt stories of romance, family and community ties, yuletide adventures, whimsy and – of course – the special kind of holiday joy that’s uniquely Hallmark, this year’s movie merriment kicks off on Friday, Oct. 16, and continues 24/7 as the days to Christmas count down – and beyond!

This year’s stellar season is decked out with fan-favorite Hallmark stars, famous-but-new faces to the network who have their own special shine, and three tentpole movies premiering throughout the event that make 2026 the merriest and most ambitious yet.

"Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story" (Courtesy of Hallmark)

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“We’re thrilled to offer viewers exciting new movies that feature the heartfelt and inspiring storytelling synonymous with a Hallmark Christmas movie,” said Darren Abbott, president of Hallmark Media, and Hallmark chief brand officer. “The worlds and cultures of the NFL, Walt Disney World Resort and Biltmore present special opportunities for us to bring fans unique tales of romance, family and community that are sure to be highlights of this holiday season.”

Hallmark Media Head of Programming Michelle Vicary said, “As we celebrated Hallmark Channel’s 25th birthday last month, I can’t help but reflect on the way ‘Countdown to Christmas’ has evolved since its first year. We’ve progressed from a schedule of daily Christmas movie marathons and four original movies to our robust 24/7 holiday programming across 10 weeks, featuring 34 original movie premieres, and one original series, with our hit ‘Mistletoe Murders,’ now it its third season. We have our wonderful fans to thank for this longevity and are so grateful to them for joining us on this journey.”

"Mistletoe and Mismosas" (Courtesy of Hallmark)

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Trailblazing partnerships create Christmas to remember

“Countdown to Christmas” opening weekend kicks off with “Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story,” the third installment in Hallmark Channel’s powerhouse partnership with the NFL and Skydance Sports. No flag on this play – there’s no better way to usher in the October start of the network’s holiday viewing season than with a heartfelt and romantic Christmas story set in the world of the NFL.

Hallmark and The Walt Disney Company have enjoyed a successful relationship dating back to 1931 thanks to the friendship between Hallmark founder J.C. Hall and Walt Disney himself, which led to the company becoming one of the very first licensors of Mickey Mouse.

This year, the two legendary brands teamed up to create “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True,” which filmed at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The movie’s magic extends beyond the screen with an expansive product line featuring greeting cards, ornaments, gift wrap, apparel, home goods, accessories and more, unified by a custom holiday toile design. Additionally, a limited-time pop-up store at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort will open in early October and bring together original content, exclusive products and an in-person experience for fans.

Viewers fell in love with the 2023 “Countdown to Christmas” hit movie “A Biltmore Christmas,” whose romantic, time-travel story unfolded at Biltmore House. The partnership continues this year with “A Grand Biltmore Christmas,” which once again was filmed at “America’s Largest Home” and its grounds, set partly in the Gilded Age for an all-new, unforgettable romance. Bring a little Biltmore magic home with the charming Halmark product collection inspired by the movie. Shop the collection at Biltmore Estate Shops and Biltmoreshop.com this holiday season.

"My Christmas Cowboy" (Courtesy of Hallmark)

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Viewership dominance & unparalleled fandom

In 2025, Hallmark Channel once again proved its title as the leading destination for holiday programming as the network was crowned the No. 1 most-watched entertainment cable network during December and all of Q4 among key demographics. Thanks to the enduring popularity of “Countdown to Christmas,” Hallmark Channel was the No. 1 most-watched network during holiday among P2+, households, women 18+ and persons 18+. In December 2025, Hallmark Channel was the No. 1 most-watched network in total day with P2+, households, women 18+ and persons 18+. For 12 years running, the network has reigned as the No. 1 most-watched among women 18+ in Q4. (Source: Nielsen L+SD program-based data, big data + panel; networks that share feed are weight averaged based on duration. Dates: 12/1/25-12/28/25 vs. 11/25/24-12/29/24)

" 'Tis the Season for Setups" (Courtesy of Hallmark)

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Streaming all the way

For viewers who don’t want to wait until the start of “Countdown to Christmas” to get their merry on, the good news is they don’t have to – Hallmark+ offers year-round holiday cheer for fans who can’t get their fill of fa-la-la-la-la. With a library of more than 450 original holiday movies totaling nearly 700 hours and the live channel Non-Stop Christmas, plus every 2026 “Countdown to Christmas” original movie premiere and all “Mistletoe Murders” S3 episodes available to stream the next day, Hallmark+ members can enjoy the sights, sounds and feelings of the season whenever and wherever they want. Now in its third year, Hallmark+ continues to build momentum with double-digit year-over-year subscriber growth.

"What If Christmas" (Courtesy of Hallmark)

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Hallmark Channel ‘Jingle Stop’ 3-city tour

For the third annual “Jingle Stop Tour,” Hallmark stars are getting their merry on when they hit the holiday road and visit three different towns bringing movie premieres, surprise-and-delight moments, and meet-and-greets with fan favorites at Gold Crown Stores in Chicago, Orlando and Asheville (North Carolina), throughout the “Countdown to Christmas” programming event.

"Winter Wonderlanes" (Courtesy of Hallmark)

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‘Hallmark Christmas Cruise’ & ‘Hallmark Christmas Experience’

Due to popular demand, fans have the opportunity to enjoy everything they love about Hallmark in real life, on land, as well as on sea. Hallmark’s unparalleled fandom continues to rule the high seas with the fourth consecutive sold-out “Hallmark Christmas Cruise” in just three years. The 2026 sailing takes place Oct. 23-27, from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay, aboard the mesmerizing Norwegian Joy. To follow along this year’s journey, fans can follow Hallmark Channel on social media or visit hallmarkchristmascruise.com.

Meanwhile, the ultimate destination for holiday celebration on land returns this season to the home of Hallmark’s headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, delivering even more joy, wonder, and cherished memories every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Hallmark superfans can get a sneak peek behind the curtain and catch their beloved Hallmark stars and artists in action while they deck the halls with spirited games and competitions, heartfelt and humorous panel discussions, renowned creative workshops, anticipated holiday movie screenings, photos opps, and much more. Guests can visit the event website to choose their own adventure and purchase tickets at experiencehallmarkchristmas.com.

The fun in Kansas City will continue on-screen, when co-hosts Jonathan Bennett and Melissa Peterman take viewers behind the scenes in “The Hallmark Christmas Experience: A Hometown Holiday Christmas Special,” returning for a second year.