Christmas movie season is arriving early, and Hallmark is giving fans plenty of reasons to celebrate. The network’s 2026 Countdown to Christmas lineup features 34 original holiday movies, bringing back familiar stars, introducing festive new stories, and expanding its popular seasonal programming. From Lacey Chabert’s Disney World adventure to the return of Mistletoe Murders, there’s a lot to look forward to. Here are seven details fans will want to know before the holiday premieres begin.
Hallmark Is Releasing a Record-Breaking 34 Original Christmas Movies
Christmas movie season is arriving earlier than ever for Hallmark fans, with the network preparing its biggest Countdown to Christmas lineup yet. The 2026 event marks the 17th annual edition of the holiday programming tradition and features 34 original Christmas movies, 10 more than the previous year’s lineup. The schedule begins on October 16 and brings a steady stream of festive stories centered on romance, family relationships, community traditions, and unexpected holiday adventures. Hallmark is also welcoming familiar faces alongside performers making their first appearances on the network. The expanded lineup gives viewers more opportunities to enjoy the cozy romances and feel-good stories that have become a defining part of the channel’s Christmas programming. Alongside the new films, the schedule includes the return of Mistletoe Murders for its third season, giving fans of holiday mysteries something to look forward to as well. With premieres spread across the season, viewers can plan their festive movie nights well before Christmas Day arrives.
Countdown to Christmas Begins on October 16
For viewers who like to start their Christmas celebrations early, Hallmark’s October premiere date offers plenty of time to settle into the holiday spirit. The network’s 2026 Countdown to Christmas officially begins on Friday, October 16, with the premiere of ’Tis the Season for Setups, starring Amanda Schull, Victor Webster, and Barbara Niven. New original movies are scheduled throughout the season, with regular premieres on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time. The schedule also includes special programming and the return of Mistletoe Murders, whose third season premieres on November 5. Hallmark’s holiday programming extends beyond individual movie premieres, creating a continuous seasonal viewing experience with Christmas films available around the clock. The early start allows the network to spread its new releases across several weeks rather than concentrating them in December. For fans, that means more chances to discover new stories, revisit familiar holiday themes, and make movie nights part of their seasonal traditions.
Lacey Chabert Returns for a Disney World Christmas Adventure
Few Hallmark stars are as closely associated with the network’s Christmas movies as Lacey Chabert, and her 2026 holiday appearance takes her into the colorful world of Walt Disney World. In Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, Chabert stars alongside Travis Van Winkle in a festive story filmed at the Florida resort. The movie is scheduled to premiere on Saturday, November 28, at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time. The Disney setting gives the production access to a destination already known for its elaborate seasonal decorations, themed attractions, and holiday celebrations. The collaboration also reflects the long-standing relationship between Hallmark and Disney, bringing together two entertainment brands with strong connections to family-friendly holiday experiences. While the film retains the romance and festive atmosphere audiences expect from Hallmark, its setting offers a different backdrop from the small towns and snow-covered streets featured in many traditional Christmas movies. For fans of Chabert, the movie provides another opportunity to see her lead a holiday story, this time surrounded by the sights and seasonal atmosphere of one of America’s best-known theme park destinations.
Holiday Touchdown Returns With a Chicago Bears Story
Football and Christmas traditions come together in Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story, the third movie in Hallmark’s collaboration with the NFL. The film stars Lyndsy Fonseca as Avery Clark, an ambitious freelance reporter who returns to Chicago for Christmas, and Robert Buckley as Matt, a Chicago firefighter and devoted Bears fan. Avery expects a quiet holiday but instead finds herself covering the story of Darlene Donnelly, played by Marsha Mason, a beloved Chicago Bears supporter preparing to attend her 500th game. Matt helps Avery understand the team’s traditions and the community surrounding it, and their shared experiences gradually develop into a romance. The film also features appearances by Chicago Bears figures, including head coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams, and several former players. Production took place entirely in and around Chicago, allowing the movie to showcase recognizable locations and local football culture. The film premieres on October 17 at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time, making it one of the earliest major releases in Hallmark’s Christmas lineup. Its combination of sports, family connections, and romance gives the franchise a distinctly Chicago flavor.
A Grand Biltmore Christmas Brings Back the Beloved Estate
Historic architecture and Christmas storytelling meet again in A Grand Biltmore Christmas, the second Hallmark movie set at North Carolina’s famous Biltmore Estate. The film stars Holland Roden, Niall Matter, Andie MacDowell, and Jonathan Frakes, and is scheduled to premiere on December 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time. The story begins around Christmas Eve in 1895, when 13-year-old Elizabeth and her family visit Biltmore House during its early years. Elizabeth encounters Michael, a boy who has been caught trespassing on the property, and helps him avoid trouble by claiming to know him. The two form an unexpected connection, but Michael soon disappears under mysterious circumstances. The historical setting gives the movie an opportunity to draw on the estate’s grand interiors, architecture, and long association with elaborate holiday displays. Biltmore House, located in Asheville, North Carolina, is a real historic mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt II and opened in 1895. By combining the property’s history with a fictional Christmas story, Hallmark offers fans another period-inspired holiday romance with a recognizable real-world setting.
The Nights Before Christmas Stars Tyler Hynes and Laci J Mailey
Christmas traditions often revolve around familiar rituals, but The Nights Before Christmas promises to put a fresh spin on the holiday season through a story led by two popular television performers. Tyler Hynes and Laci J Mailey star in the original Hallmark holiday movie, which was highlighted in the network’s July 2026 announcements. Hallmark has confirmed the principal cast and promoted an early look at the production, although its initial announcement offered limited details about the storyline. The title hints at a story shaped by the anticipation and preparations leading up to Christmas, a period that provides plenty of room for romance, family connections, and seasonal surprises. Hynes has built a strong following among Hallmark viewers through his appearances in holiday movies, while Mailey is known for roles in television dramas and other scripted productions. Their pairing gives the film a familiar lead actor alongside a co-star who brings her own screen experience to the project. The movie is part of Hallmark’s expanded 2026 lineup, offering fans another original story to add to their seasonal watchlists.
Mistletoe Murders Returns for a Third Season
Not every holiday favorite needs a romantic ending to make Christmas viewing worthwhile. Mistletoe Murders returns for its third season on November 5, bringing more mysteries to Hallmark’s festive schedule. Sarah Drew stars as Emily Lane, the friendly owner of a Christmas-themed shop in the fictional tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove. Beneath her cheerful public image, Emily has a complicated past that gradually becomes part of the show’s larger mystery. Peter Mooney returns as Detective Sam Wilner, who works with Emily to investigate local murders while trying to understand the secrets she keeps. Hallmark has confirmed that the new season will feature three new Christmas mysteries, with Emily’s past and present increasingly colliding. Catherine Bell and Holly Robinson Peete are also set to appear as guest stars. The third season follows a second season that ended on a cliffhanger, leaving the relationship between Emily and Sam, as well as questions surrounding Emily’s history, unresolved. Its return gives viewers a different kind of holiday entertainment, blending seasonal decorations and small-town charm with suspense and detective work. Fans can also catch up on the first two seasons through Hallmark+, making it easier to revisit the clues before the new episodes arrive.
