Hallmark Christmas Movies 2026: Premiere Schedule and Printable Checklist

Hallmark is starting Christmas early in 2026. Its Countdown to Christmas lineup begins Friday, October 16, with 34 new movie premieres and a third season of Mistletoe Murders. The first wave includes a matchmaking scheme at a ski lodge, a romance tied to the Chicago Bears, and a holiday dinner that may need a miracle to fill every seat. Here’s when the festivities begin, which stories stand out, and how to keep up without cable.

Hallmark’s 2026 Christmas Schedule Starts in October

New movies are scheduled to premiere on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, generally at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific unless otherwise noted. Hallmark also has a Thanksgiving premiere planned for Thursday, November 26, followed by double features that weekend.

The 34 new movie premieres run through December 21. Hallmark won’t stop showing Christmas movies before Christmas, though: new releases and older favorites are expected to rerun throughout the season. This year, all the original Christmas premieres are on Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas lineup, rather than in separate premiere lineups on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries or Hallmark+.

Why You May Want to Check the Schedule Twice

Holiday schedules can change as the season progresses, including movie titles and premiere dates. If you’re planning watch parties weeks in advance, treat a printable checklist as a handy guide, then check for updates closer to airtime. That’s especially worth doing around Thanksgiving, when the usual Friday-to-Sunday pattern expands.

The First Weekend Goes Big on Family and Second Chances

Hallmark opens with three different takes on finding a place to belong. One family heads to a ski resort, another finds common ground through football, and a single dad tries to make a new town feel like home before Christmas.

October 16–18: Ski-Lodge Sparks, Bears Fandom and a Christmas Market

On Friday, October 16, Amanda Schull plays Lexi, an organized single mother hired to plan a ski resort’s holiday party. She clashes with ski instructor Ridge, played by Victor Webster, but the two join forces after spotting a possible romance between her mother, played by Barbara Niven, and his father.

Their matchmaking outings keep turning into foursomes, raising the possibility that the would-be matchmakers are missing a connection of their own.

Saturday, October 17, brings a Chicago Bears-centered story starring Lyndsy Fonseca and Robert Buckley. Fonseca’s Avery is a freelance reporter assigned to profile Darlene, a devoted fan nearing her 500th Bears game. Buckley plays Darlene’s grandson Matt, a firefighter who introduces Avery to the team’s traditions and the city. Marsha Mason plays Darlene, and the movie features appearances from Bears figures including Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson.

On Sunday, October 18, Brendan Penny plays Taylor, a single dad and holiday display expert who moves to Pineway with his children. His work reviving the town’s Christmas market pairs him with Sophie, a practical accountant played by Pascale Hutton.

As they grow closer, Taylor faces a tougher challenge at home: accepting that his teenage daughter’s favorite traditions may be changing.

The Rest of October Mixes Romance With Holiday Magic

The next premieres move from a beloved bowling alley to an alternate reality. They also give several characters a familiar Hallmark dilemma: pursue the life they planned, or make room for the people right in front of them.

October 23–25: A Former Flame, Lost Memories and Another Life

Ashley Newbrough stars on Friday, October 23, as Audrey, who returns home to learn that her late grandfather’s bowling alley is being sold. She revives its youth tournament for one last festive season and teams up with Jason, a local reporter and her former boyfriend, played by Franco Lo Presti.

The question is whether their rekindled feelings will give Audrey a reason to stay.

On Saturday, October 24, Janel Parrish’s Kathryn panics when Rob, played by Daniel Lissing, proposes before Christmas. After an accident leaves him unable to remember their relationship or his love of the holiday, she helps him retrace their romance. As he remembers more, Kathryn must confront why she ran from his proposal.

Sunday, October 25, takes a magical turn. Lori Loughlin plays Erin, who regrets setting aside her fashion-design ambitions while supporting her heart-surgeon husband, Adam, played by Tom Cavanagh. A heart-shaped ornament sends her into a reality where she achieved fashion fame, but the life she once wanted proves lonelier than expected.

October 30–November 1: An Open Table, a Santa Lookalike and Copenhagen

Rhiannon Fish’s Julie hopes to host eight people for Christmas Eve dinner in the Friday, October 30, premiere. She has the table but not yet the guest list. A friendship with her neighbor Mark, played by Jake Foy, looks promising until bad weather threatens their plans.

On Saturday, October 31, Amy Groening plays Maren, a single mother whose daughter befriends a Santa lookalike through a retirement community’s Christmas Companions program. Helping keep the program on track brings Maren closer to Reid, the community’s traveling operations director, played by Michael Rady.

Sunday, November 1, sends Emilie Ullerup and Corey Sevier to Copenhagen. Ullerup’s Marie wants to help save her family’s inn, so when she mistakes guest Ryan for a travel writer, she arranges an elaborate Christmas tour. The misunderstanding complicates her plans, even as a real connection develops between them.

Mistletoe Murders Returns Alongside the Movies

The mystery series is Hallmark’s other major holiday premiere. Its third season begins Thursday, November 5, with six episodes scheduled to air on Thursdays.

Emily and Sam Have Three New Mysteries to Solve

Sarah Drew returns as Emily Lane, who again teams up with Detective Sam Wilner, played by Peter Mooney. They’ll investigate three new Christmas mysteries while Emily’s past collides with her present. Catherine Bell and Holly Robinson Peete are set to guest star.

Anyone who needs a refresher can stream the first two seasons on Hallmark+.

How to Watch Without Cable

If you’d rather watch premieres live, you’ll need a service that carries Hallmark Channel. The schedule guide highlights Frndly TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Sling TV, DIRECTV, and Philo as options, though it’s worth checking channels, packages, and prices before subscribing.

Hallmark+ Is an Option If You Can Wait a Day

The new movies are expected to arrive on Hallmark+ the day after their Hallmark Channel premieres. The guide lists Hallmark+ at $7.99 per month, with Frndly TV plans starting at $6.99 per month. It also notes that Hallmark’s Peacock streaming deal ended in 2024, so the 2026 premieres aren’t expected to appear there.

If you’re tracking every premiere, The Suburban Mom offers a free printable checklist through an email signup. Its author warns that the site does not ask for a credit card for the free version; a download prompt requesting payment details may be a third-party ad. There’s also another checklist version for sale in the author’s Etsy shop. However you keep score, mark October 16 on the calendar: Hallmark’s Christmas season is nearly here.