Conway, SC Competes for Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town 2026

A South Carolina city is hoping its holiday sparkle can deliver one of the most festive prizes in entertainment: a chance to become the backdrop for a future Hallmark Channel movie.

Conway, the Horry County seat near Myrtle Beach, has been picked as one of 25 cities in the running for the network’s merriest Christmas town title.

The contest isn’t just about putting up decorations. It’s a nationwide search for that warm, storybook setting Hallmark fans love—think community traditions, glowing lights, charming streets, and enough seasonal cheer to make even the most skeptical person believe in holiday romance.

Conway Is Chasing a Hallmark Movie Moment

For a city with riverfront scenery and historic character, this competition means more than just bragging rights.

If Conway wins, a Hallmark production crew could show up, putting local businesses and that unmistakable Lowcountry vibe in front of a national audience.

Anyone in the U.S. can help decide the winner. Residents can vote once per day on the Hallmark Channel website during the voting period, which started Aug. 14 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 4.

With daily voting, it’s not just about a one-time push—steady support from locals and Hallmark fans could really tip the scales for Conway.

What Conway Has That Hallmark Loves

Hallmark movies thrive on places that seem built for twinkling lights, quirky meet-cutes, and last-minute confessions under a decorated town square.

Conway already checks a lot of those boxes. Its downtown is historic, the streets are lined with old oaks, and the Waccamaw River runs right through it. It’s cinematic without even trying.

City administrator Adam Emrick says Conway’s passion for holiday events is one of its best assets. The city has even claimed the title of The Holiday Capital of South Carolina, and when December rolls around, you can see why.

It’s not just a shopping season here. Conway turns Christmas into a full-on community experience.

• Historic downtown streets with a classic small-town vibe
• Oak trees that bring Southern charm to every holiday photo
• The Waccamaw River and Riverwalk for a unique waterfront backdrop
• Community traditions and eye-catching decorations
• A visual style that’s basically begging to be in a holiday movie

The Decorations Are Already Movie-Ready

If you’re wondering how Conway would look in a Hallmark movie, you don’t have to imagine much. Past holiday seasons have turned the city into a festive wonderland—lighted wreaths greet visitors at the bridge, the water tower glows with cascading lights, and angel figures pop up all over front yards.

There’s a giant illuminated ornament, food trucks downtown, and neighbors gathering to soak it all in. The scene almost writes itself.

That kind of holiday effort is what makes Conway’s campaign stand out. A Hallmark movie needs a place that looks cozy on screen, but it also needs real local spirit.

Conway isn’t just piecing together a movie set. Its decorations and traditions are how the city actually celebrates with locals and visitors every year.

A Waterfront Christmas Has Major Screen Appeal

One of Conway’s biggest draws is its spot on the Waccamaw River. Most Christmas movies lean on snowy towns or mountain cabins, but Conway offers a Southern holiday setting where historic buildings and river views steal the show.

That could give any future movie a look that stands out from the usual winter village formula.

The city’s already appeared on camera. Scenes from the 2020 film Christmas in Carolina used the Riverwalk area. Does that guarantee another production? Not really. But it does prove that Conway can deliver the kind of charm and warmth filmmakers want when they’re scouting for the perfect holiday backdrop.

How the Hallmark Competition Works

The public vote is just the start. After voting wraps up, a panel will judge the cities on more than just popularity.

They’ll look at community spirit, traditions, neighborhood charm, and goodwill. Basically, a city needs more than pretty lights to win—it has to show that Christmas is woven into the local culture.

That could work in Conway’s favor. The city isn’t just showing off its looks; it’s proving that holidays here are a true community affair.

The mix of downtown events, recognizable decorations, and gathering spaces might just capture the kind of energy Hallmark fans expect from their favorite movies.

The Deadline Matters for Conway Supporters

If you want to help Conway, remember: it’s one vote per day, per U.S. resident. The voting window closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 4. In a contest with 25 cities, showing up every day could matter a lot more than a big early rush.

Just head to the Hallmark Channel website and cast your daily vote before time runs out. It’s a small action, but the payoff could be huge—a national spotlight, more tourism, and maybe Conway starring in a future holiday romance watched by millions.

Why a Hallmark Production Could Be a Big Win

Landing a Hallmark movie can create a real connection between a community and viewers who fall for its scenery. Fans often visit filming locations after a movie airs, turning streets, shops, and landmarks into travel destinations.

For Conway, that kind of exposure could introduce new folks to its downtown, restaurants, Riverwalk, and holiday events.

There’s also something a little magical about it. A Hallmark production could capture Conway’s Christmas spirit on screen, letting locals see their hometown become part of a feel-good story.

For a city that already goes all in on the holidays, being featured in a movie wouldn’t just be a publicity stunt. It’d feel like the next natural step in Conway’s holiday story.

Can Conway Become the Holiday Movie Town Everyone Talks About?

It all comes down to the voting and what the judges decide in the end. Conway’s got a pretty compelling story on its side, though.

The town’s historic charm and hometown vibe are hard to miss. Christmas displays are already a tradition here, and that waterfront backdrop? It gives the whole place a twist you don’t see in most holiday movies.

But honestly, the best part is the way Conway rallies around celebrating together. There’s a real sense of community, not just for show.

Some of the most magical holiday scenes aren’t made in Hollywood. They happen in small towns like Conway, where the lights, the neighbors, and the little traditions turn regular streets into something that feels almost cinematic.

Maybe Hallmark will notice what locals have always felt—this South Carolina spot just oozes Christmas spirit. If you ask me, that’s hard to fake.