Cullman Earns Top 25 Spot in Hallmark Christmas Town Contest

Cullman, Alabama, just landed in the national spotlight as one of the 25 finalists in Hallmark Channel’s 2026 Merriest Christmas Town contest.

This North Alabama community is the only contender from the state still in the running. Its glowing downtown displays, beloved German Christmas market, and massive seasonal visitor appeal are up against holiday hotspots from all over the country.

For fans of Hallmark-style small-town magic, Cullman might be one of this year’s most surprising contenders.

Cullman Is Officially Chasing Hallmark Christmas Glory

There’s something especially irresistible about a town that doesn’t just decorate for Christmas but seems to live inside a holiday movie all season long.

That’s the atmosphere Cullman has created, and Hallmark Channel has definitely noticed. The city is now part of the network’s nationwide search for America’s Merriest Christmas Town, joining 24 other festive destinations that have turned holiday traditions into major attractions.

As a Top 25 finalist, Cullman has already earned a distinction that’ll make Alabama residents proud.

It’s the only Alabama community left on Hallmark’s list, which feels meaningful considering the competition includes famous Christmas destinations in places like Washington, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Texas.

What Makes This Small Alabama City Feel Like a Holiday Film Set

Cullman’s appeal comes from the whole community pulling together for the holidays.

During the season, the historic downtown turns into a gathering spot filled with decorated storefronts, glowing rooftops, a huge Christmas tree, special events, and lots of shopping opportunities.

The atmosphere isn’t limited to one street corner or single attraction. It’s a citywide effort that makes visitors feel like they’ve stepped right into a classic Christmas postcard.

Hallmark pointed out Cullman’s unique seasonal character, especially the way the city honors its founding families through the Cullman Christkindlmarkt.

This event adds a European touch to Alabama’s holiday scene and gives Cullman something different from the countless other towns competing for Christmas travelers.

The Christkindlmarkt Is the Heart of the Holiday Experience

The Cullman Christkindlmarkt is arguably the sparkling centerpiece of Christmas in Cullman.

Set in and around Depot Park in the historic district, the month-long event takes a traditional German Christmas market and brings it to present-day Alabama. It’s festive, family-friendly, and rooted in a custom that goes back centuries.

Traditionally held during the four weeks of Advent, a Christkindlmarkt is named for the Christkind, or Christ Child, a figure in German tradition associated with bringing Christmas gifts.

Early German markets started as places to buy winter necessities. Over time, they became treasured local celebrations packed with food, shopping, lights, music, and all the excitement of the season.

A German Tradition With a Cullman Twist

Cullman has turned that old inspiration into a destination event that feels both authentic and easy to enjoy. Visitors can check out pop-up shops, see the holiday lights, soak up the downtown vibe, and make a night of discovering the city’s seasonal offerings.

It’s the sort of event that gives people a reason to get off the interstate, spend time in a local downtown, and maybe even start a new holiday tradition.

The market also reflects Cullman’s German heritage in a way that feels genuine, not forced. That cultural connection helps Cullman stand out in a crowded landscape of holiday festivals.

Sure, plenty of cities can hang lights and put on a parade. Fewer can blend historic identity, local pride, and modern Christmas entertainment quite like this.

• Historic downtown decorations that turn the city center into a seasonal destination
• The Cullman Christkindlmarkt with German-inspired holiday traditions and shopping
• Depot Park festivities in the heart of the historic district
• Sportsman Lake’s annual Tour of Lights for another major local holiday attraction
• Community-wide participation from local leaders, businesses, families, and visitors

More Than 415,000 Visitors Prove This Is No Secret

If Cullman’s Christmas reputation sounds like a local success story, the visitor numbers tell you it’s much bigger than that. The city’s Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism department estimates that more than 415,000 visitors experienced Christmas in Cullman last year.

That’s an extraordinary number for a community of this size. It’s a sign that word has spread way beyond county lines.

Those visitors come from all over the U.S., many drawn by the lights, the Christkindlmarkt, and the chance to experience a Christmas destination that feels less commercial than a big theme park but still offers plenty to do.

The event’s popularity also gives local businesses a boost, creating the kind of holiday economic impact that community leaders hope will keep growing over time.

Why Hallmark Recognition Matters So Much

For a city like Cullman, making Hallmark Channel’s shortlist is more than just a fun seasonal brag.

Hallmark has spent decades shaping the image of idealized small-town Christmases with its movies and specials. Getting recognized by that brand puts Cullman in front of an audience that’s actively looking for cozy getaways, twinkling lights, charming shops, and festive community traditions.

Mayor Woody Jacobs praised the recognition as a reflection of the people who make the celebration happen. He focused on the collective effort, from volunteers and city workers to local businesses and families who come back year after year.

Cullman County Commission Chair Jeff Clemons also pointed out how the festivities reach beyond the city, drawing guests into the county and supporting area businesses.

Cullman Faces Christmas Competition From Across America

The Top 25 list is packed with places that sound like they were named for a Hallmark movie. Cullman is up against destinations like Leavenworth, Washington; Cape May, New Jersey; Eureka Springs, Arkansas; Boerne, Texas; North Conway, New Hampshire; and Winter Garden, Florida.

Each finalist has its own seasonal personality, but Cullman is one of just a few in the Deep South.

That regional distinction could work in Cullman’s favor. When most people imagine a classic Christmas getaway, they picture snowy villages in the Northeast or Pacific Northwest.

Cullman offers a different spin on holiday magic, showing that a Southern city can deliver the lights, traditions, charm, and community warmth you’d expect from the Hallmark universe.

The Final Result Depends on Online Voters

Getting into the Top 25 was just the first step. The winner will be picked through online voting, so Cullman’s biggest advantage might be the same community spirit that built Christmas in Cullman in the first place.

City Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism executive director Nathan Anderson is encouraging residents and supporters to vote, share the contest, and tell the city’s holiday story nationwide.

If you’ve ever visited the Christkindlmarkt, driven through the Sportsman Lake Tour of Lights, or just spent an evening downtown under the decorations, the campaign probably feels personal.

This isn’t just a contest about pretty holiday displays. It’s about which community best captures the feeling people want from Christmas: connection, tradition, local pride, and a little old-fashioned wonder.

How to Vote for Cullman in the Merriest Christmas Town Contest

If you want to help Cullman win, you can vote through Hallmark Channel’s official Merriest Christmas Town contest website. The contest page lists all the finalists, and Cullman has its own entry page for voters who’d like to support Alabama’s last contender.

Cullman’s Top 25 placement says a lot. It’s clear that this Alabama town knows how to throw a Christmas celebration with national charm.

Maybe it’s just one more online voting surge away from being one of Hallmark’s most buzzed-about holiday destinations. Who knows—could this be the year Cullman finally takes the crown?