Hallmark's kicks off 'Countdown to Christmas' with 'movie merriment'

Let the countdown to Christmas begin! Hallmark is rolling out its biggest "Countdown to Christmas" with a "supersized lineup" of 34 original films which will air every Friday, Saturday and Sunday over 10 weeks for the "merriest holiday ever." “We’re thrilled to offer viewers exciting new movies that

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Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

Hallmark is rolling out its biggest "Countdown to Christmas" with a "supersized lineup" of 34 original films which will air every Friday, Saturday and Sunday over 10 weeks for the "merriest holiday ever."

“We’re thrilled to offer viewers exciting new movies that feature the heartfelt and inspiring storytelling synonymous with a Hallmark Christmas movie,” Hallmark Media president Darren Abbott said in a statement.

When does Hallmark's 'Countdown to Christmas' begin?

The 17th edition of Hallmark's "movie merriment" kicks off Friday, Oct. 16, and continues 24/7 in the days leading to Christmas "and beyond."

Hallmark said its slate of films is "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."

It added the lineup for 2026 "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."

Robert Buckley and Lyndsy Fonseca in

Hallmark's 'Countdown to Christmas' movies

Hallmark's flagship program will commence with "’Tis the Season for Setups," premiering Friday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story," the third installment in Hallmark Channel’s partnership with the NFL and Skydance Sports will drop followed by "Mr. & Mrs. Christmas" on Sunday, Oct. 18. Christmas Kisses Movie Marathon will also take place Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET/PT with "One December Night," "The Christmas Contest," "Return to Christmas Creek" and "A Christmas Together with You."

Other movies in the roster include:

Oct. 23: "Winter Wonderlanes"
Oct. 24: "Forgotten Holiday"
Oct. 25: "What If Christmas"
Oct. 30: "Who’s Coming for Christmas?"
Oct. 31: Adopting St. Nick"
Nov. 1: A Danish Christmas"
Nov. 6: Merry Memories"
Nov. 7: Holiday Unplugged"
Nov. 8: A Season of Promises"
Nov. 13: My Christmas Cowboy"
Nov. 14: The Nights Before Christmas"
Nov. 15: Mistletoe and Mimosas"
Nov. 20: Our Holiday Playbook"
Nov. 21: Christmas in Blue Dog Valley"
Nov. 22: Double Booked for the Holidays"
Nov. 26: Christmas Delivered"
Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. ET/PT: "The Christmas Eve Feast"
Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT: "Return to Santa"
Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. ET/PT: "The Most Wonderful Secret"
Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT: "Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True"
Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. ET/PT: Eight Nights for Love"
Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT: "Miles to Christmas"
Dec. 4: "The Snowflake Effect"
Dec. 5: "A Grand Biltmore Christmas"
Dec. 6: "An Angel in My Stocking"
Dec. 11: "Christmas in Canterbury"
Dec. 12: "Snow Globe Town"
Dec. 13: "Noelle Nomads"
Dec. 18: "Hearts All Aglow"
Dec. 19: "Barking All the Way"
Dec. 20: "Save the Date for Christmas"

All new movies are expected to drop on the weekends leading to Christmas except during "Merry Thanksgiving Week: which will have a double feature from Friday to Sunday with premieres at 6 p.m. ET/PT and 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Twins Abigail and Charlie spend Christmas in Wales to run a bookstore and get swept into holiday romances with two Hay-on-Wye locals, a charming barista and a dashing lord.