Hallmark is once again getting an early start on Christmas, and for millions of holiday movie fans, the wait is almost over. Hallmark Channel’s 2026 Countdown to Christmas officially begins Friday, October 16, launching another marathon of holiday romance, family stories, small-town celebrations and, naturally, plenty of Christmas magic. New movies will premiere Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT throughout the season, with many also streaming the following day on Hallmark+.
The opening weekend wastes no time delivering some familiar Hallmark ingredients. The festivities begin October 16 with ’Tis the Season for Setups, starring Amanda Schull, Victor Webster and Barbara Niven. The following night comes Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story, the third installment in Hallmark’s popular NFL collaboration. Set in Chicago, the movie stars Lyndsy Fonseca and Robert Buckley and features appearances from Chicago Bears players, coaches, alumni and other familiar faces.
Hallmark is also taking its Christmas magic to some rather recognizable destinations this year. On November 28, Lacey Chabert and Travis Van Winkle star in Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, filmed at Walt Disney World in Florida. Then on December 5, Hallmark returns to one of its most distinctive holiday locations with A Grand Biltmore Christmas, starring Holland Roden, Niall Matter, Andie MacDowell and Jonathan Frakes. The movie follows the success of 2023’s A Biltmore Christmas and once again makes the spectacular Biltmore Estate part of the story.
There is plenty more tucked into the 2026 lineup, including Mr. & Mrs. Christmas, What If Christmas, Who’s Coming for Christmas?, Our Holiday Playbook, The Most Wonderful Secret and Miles to Christmas. Hallmark is also bringing back Mistletoe Murders for a third season, continuing the mystery series about a Christmas-themed shop owner who finds herself investigating local murders. And if you are already thinking about Christmas Eve, the December 20 movie Save the Date for Christmas stars Jonathan Bennett and Italia Ricci in a story involving longtime friends, a last-minute Christmas wedding and an unexpected reconsideration of romance.
So, yes, Christmas is officially creeping onto the calendar again. With new movies arriving throughout October, November and December, Hallmark’s 2026 Countdown to Christmas promises another season filled with snowy towns, decorated trees, second chances, family traditions and people discovering that their happily-ever-after was closer than they realized. In other words, the holiday movie season has once again arrived before the Thanksgiving turkey has even had a chance to thaw.
