Is Collierville one of the USA's top Christmas towns?
Yes, according to the Hallmark Channel, which has chosen the Memphis suburb as one of 25 finalists in its search for the "Merriest Christmas Town of 2026."
The contest, which runs through Sept. 4, is a promotion for the network's extremely popular "Countdown to Christmas," an annual slate of close to 40 original holiday-themed movies that unwraps before even Halloween (this year's ho-ho-ho'ing begins Oct. 17). The winning town will "receive the opportunity to serve as a filming location for a Hallmark movie," according to contest organizers. That's hardly a guarantee but it beats a lump of coal.
vision
The "Merriest Christmas Town" candidates range alphabetically from Oregon's Ashland (which Hallmark declares a "walkable" town "aglow with historic red lanterns"), to Florida's Winter Garden ("one of the most anticipated traditions is the annual golf cart parade"). Geographically, just about every part of the country is notable for Christmas spirit sparkle, from Placerville, California, to Boerne, Texas, to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to Cape May, New Jersey, and beyond.
"Anyone who has ever visited Collierville during the holidays knows that our town doesn’t just look like a holiday movie set, our community truly lives the spirit of the season," said Ashley Carver, Collierville Tourism Director, in a press release. "Being the only town in the Mid-South selected is an incredible honor, but we need everyone across the region to rally behind us. This is our chance to turn that festive magic into a starring role on screens nationwide."
If Collierville does find Hallmark Channel stardom, it will be following in the snowy footsteps of its larger neighbor, Memphis. The Bluff City (or, more specifically, the home mansion of its most famous resident) was the focus of three Hallmark movies: "Christmas at Graceland" (2018); "Wedding at Graceland" (2019); and "Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays" (2019).
But, in fact, Collierville is no newcomer to the spotlight: The town made a cameo appearance in "Wedding at Graceland," when its historic square was used as a backdrop for scenes shot in April 2019.
Founded in 1836, just 17 years after Memphis was established, Collierville — with a population of 51,324, according to the Census Bureau — is "widely known for its signature holiday celebrations," Carver said. With text prepared by town publicists, the Collierville page on the Hallmark website states: "If you stepped onto the historic Collierville Town Square during the holidays, you'd swear you walked straight onto a Hallmark movie set.
"Our Town Square transforms into a festive wonderland illuminated by over a quarter-million twinkling lights," the entry continues. "For four consecutive weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Town Square becomes a bustling hub of nostalgic joy. Families can take horse-drawn carriage rides along the historic streets while strolling Dickens Carolers, dressed in beautiful period attire, fill the air with classic holiday harmonies. Inside the Depot Visitors Center, children marvel at intricate model train displays, while outside, others drop letters into Santa's Mailbox or visit the children's craft market supporting peer entrepreneurs."
During the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, "the entire community gathers around the Town Square Park gazebo as the Mayor and Board of Aldermen personally pour free hot chocolate for neighbors."
Carver said Collierville’s “quaint” atmosphere is part of the town’s appeal. “One of the first things that visitors tell us, they say, ‘It feels like a Hallmark movie,’” she said. “I hope this contest can inspire visitors to come here, but I think it’s just as important that it might remind the residents of Collierville and people in the Mid-South to remember we have built something really special here with our Christmas program.”
To vote, visit merriestchristmastownscontest.hallmarkchannel.com, or go to the link on the official Collierville website, at colliervilletn.gov. Any person 18 or older can cast one vote per day.
John Beifuss is an entertainment writer at The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at john.beifuss@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Hallmark Channel names Collierville a Merriest Christmas Town finalist
