Conway, SC Competes for Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town

A South Carolina town that most beachgoers just breeze past on their way to Myrtle Beach is suddenly getting a huge burst of holiday attention. Conway, a historic Horry County community about 15 miles inland, has landed on Hallmark Channel’s shortlist for America’s merriest Christmas town—one of just 25 finalists.

And honestly, the prize is more than just bragging rights. The winner could actually become a filming location for a future Hallmark movie.

With its glowing downtown lights, Waccamaw River views, Riverwalk, and an all-in holiday spirit, Conway’s making a real case for itself. Maybe it’s time Christmas movie fans put this place on their must-visit list.

Conway Is Chasing a Hallmark Movie Dream

Hallmark Channel wants people across the country to help pick the town that best captures that warm, nostalgic, small-town vibe their movies are famous for. Out of 25 communities picked from all over the U.S., Conway is the only one representing South Carolina.

It’s in pretty festive company, too. Public voting started August 14 and runs until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on September 4.

If you’re a U.S. resident, you can vote once a day on the Hallmark Channel website. That gives Conway fans plenty of chances to boost their hometown’s shot at the title.

Voting Is Only Part of the Equation

The online vote matters, but it’s not the only thing Hallmark will consider. After voting wraps up, judges will weigh each town’s community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm, and goodwill.

A pretty downtown helps, but the winner has to show it’s got real heart behind the sparkle. That’s where Conway thinks it stands out.

City administrator Adam Emrick calls Conway a place that celebrates more than just Christmas—it’s earned the nickname The Holiday Capital of South Carolina. Still, Christmas is when the town’s personality really pops.

Why This Coastal Carolina Town Feels Ready for Its Close-Up

Conway’s got the kind of natural setting production designers wish they could bottle. The historic downtown is lined with ancient oaks and sits right by the scenic Waccamaw River.

It’s easy to picture a snow-dusted romance here, even if South Carolina winters aren’t exactly known for flurries. The city’s Hallmark application really leans into that setting, pitching Conway as a classic small town where you can stroll, browse local shops, and settle in at cozy restaurants or cafes.

There’s no single oversized attraction. Instead, it’s the walkable downtown, riverfront views, and a community determined to make the season feel special that win people over.

The Lights Are a Major Part of the Magic

When the holidays hit, Conway goes all out with lights and decorations. You’ll find illuminated wreaths on the bridge heading into town, glowing ornaments around the water tower, and strings of lights everywhere—on handrails, trees, and trunks.

It’s not just lights, either. Visitors run into angel figures on lawns, a huge ornament, and an old-fashioned truck decked out with a wreath.

Throw in food trucks and funnel cakes, and suddenly it’s not just a drive-through display—it’s a whole evening out.

• Downtown light displays that turn familiar streets into a seasonal attraction
• Riverwalk scenery that’s naturally cinematic
• Local shops and restaurants for that cozy, small-town vibe
• Food trucks and festival treats—funnel cakes, anyone?
• Community participation that makes the decorations feel personal, not cookie-cutter

There Is Already a Conway Connection to Christmas Movies

Here’s a twist: Conway already shares its name with a Hallmark Christmas movie. The 2013 film Christmas in Conway, starring Mary-Louise Parker and Andy Garcia, is a real Hallmark title.

But it was actually filmed in Wilmington, not Conway, South Carolina. That alone makes this competition feel like a bit of unfinished business.

Conway didn’t host that earlier production, but now it’s got a shot at bringing a Hallmark film crew to town for real.

Conway Has Appeared on Screen Before

This isn’t Conway’s first time in a holiday movie, either. The city popped up in the 2020 film Christmas in Carolina, with scenes shot along the Riverwalk.

Columbia was featured too, but Conway’s riverfront gave the movie a distinctly South Carolina flavor. For folks who love spotting real locations in Christmas films, that little cameo shows why Conway could work as a full-scale Hallmark setting.

Water, historic buildings, tree-lined streets, holiday decor—it’s got the look people expect from a Christmas romance.

The Real Secret Ingredient Is the Community

Pretty lights can only do so much. What really makes a Hallmark town is the feeling that everyone knows each other, neighbors show up, and even a stranger can feel like part of the celebration.

Conway’s leaders say that sense of connection is the heart of their campaign. Residents, business owners, and community leaders all pitch in to make it more than just a decorated backdrop.

Honestly, it’s the way people work together that might be Conway’s best qualification. They’ve built a place where locals and visitors both feel like they belong.

Social Media Reactions Are Adding to the Buzz

Conway posted a video of its holiday displays on Facebook, and it got over 100 responses from locals and visitors. Folks called it magical, beautiful, and delightful—one even compared it to a modern-day Mayberry and called it an elf’s delight.

That kind of affection is exactly what Hallmark wants. A winning town needs genuine emotional pull, not just slick marketing. Conway’s fans seem eager to show their holiday traditions come from real pride in their hometown.

Conway Faces Some Seriously Festive Competition

This won’t be a cakewalk. The field is packed with famous Christmas destinations and postcard-perfect towns—Leavenworth, Washington; Cape May, New Jersey; Eureka Springs, Arkansas; Winter Garden, Florida; and North Conway, New Hampshire, just to name a few.

Every contender brings its own regional traditions, architecture, and holiday vibe. Still, Conway’s location might be part of its charm.

Most people picture Christmas movies in snowy mountains or New England villages, but Conway offers something different. It’s a Southern river town with oak trees, glowing lights, local flavor, and an easy connection to Myrtle Beach.

What a Win Could Mean for Conway

If Conway gets picked, the town could become a Hallmark movie filming spot. That’s a big deal—think national attention for local shops and maybe a nice surge of curious tourists.

There’s also just something magical about seeing your own streets on TV, all dressed up for a holiday romance.

Right now, Conway’s got a shot to show that Hallmark Christmas stories don’t have to be set in some made-up place. Why not here? Sometimes, the story winds right through Horry County, over a bridge strung with lights, past that glowing water tower, and into a downtown that already feels like a movie waiting to happen.