Hallmark Reignites Holiday Spirit with Nashville Countdown to Christmas

Hallmark Channel is at it again, reminding everyone that nobody does Christmas quite like they do. As the brand that practically owns the holiday season, Hallmark keeps finding new ways to spread its signature magic across the country.

This year, the beloved network kicked off its Countdown to Christmas with a Nashville takeover, blending music, movies, and a whole lot of merriment into one fan-filled weekend. From a star-studded red carpet at the Grand Ole Opry to meet-and-greets with Hallmark favorites like Lacey Chabert, the event felt like a fresh chapter in Hallmark’s ongoing push to bring its world of warmth directly to fans.

Chief Communications Officer Annie Howell shared how this year’s festivities reflect Hallmark’s *One Hallmark* vision—unifying cards, media, and retail for a seamless celebration of connection, creativity, and community. It’s ambitious, but honestly, who doesn’t appreciate a little more holiday spirit?

The Magic Begins in Music City

For most people, the holidays don’t really start until after Thanksgiving. But Hallmark Channel? They kick off Christmas long before the turkey’s even cold.

The network’s annual Countdown to Christmas marathon launches in October now, giving fans nearly two months of cozy movie nights and festive cheer. This year, Hallmark decided to do something different—turning Nashville, the home of country music, into the heart of its holiday kickoff.

The big moment was the premiere of A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, a Hallmark Original debuting November 29. The film captures the season’s spirit and tips its hat to the iconic Opry stage, a place that’s seen countless music legends.

To honor that bond, Hallmark transformed the city into a wonderland of lights, music, and cocoa-fueled fun. Fans enjoyed line dancing in Opry Plaza, a live stage show, and a red carpet event with 24 Hallmark stars and musicians from the movie and beyond.

A Whistle Stop Becomes a Jingle Stop

With 2024 being a major election year, Hallmark put a clever twist on the classic whistle stop tour, rebranding it as the Jingle Stop Tour. This multi-city celebration featured fan interactions, hot cocoa bars, and festive pop-ups.

Nashville was the flagship stop—and it was buzzing. Over 2,500 fans joined the free festivities, a clear sign that Hallmark’s brand of holiday happiness goes way beyond the TV screen.

Howell said this year’s event aimed to reach mid-size markets with strong fan communities, tie into the latest film, deepen the One Hallmark brand, give back through charitable efforts, and generate media buzz. From visiting the local Children’s Hospital to volunteering at The Store—a charity founded by Brad and Kimberly Williams Paisley—Hallmark’s Nashville celebration was about more than entertainment. It was about spreading real goodwill.

Bringing Fans Closer to the Hallmark World

At the heart of Hallmark’s success is its knack for creating emotional connections. Fans aren’t just watching movies; they’re participating in a lifestyle built around joy, kindness, and a sense of community.

That’s why the Nashville event included meet-and-greets at Hallmark Gold Crown stores, letting fans interact with their favorite stars and experience the brand up close. One of the biggest draws was actress and producer Lacey Chabert, who introduced her new Lacey Chabert Collection—a line of holiday products you can only get at Hallmark stores.

Fans lined up early—some decked out in their holiday best—to meet Chabert and grab autographed items from her collection. The products, from wrapping paper to tableware and home décor, reflect the kind of timeless elegance and warmth Chabert brings to every Hallmark role.

The collection even pops up in her unscripted series, *Celebrations with Lacey Chabert*, now streaming on Hallmark+. This blend of retail, media, and fan engagement is a big part of Hallmark’s unified brand game plan.

The Power of One Hallmark

Hallmark’s One Hallmark initiative marks a shift toward uniting its divisions—Hallmark Cards, Hallmark Media, and Hallmark Gold Crown stores—into one identity. The idea is to give fans a consistent experience, whether they’re watching a movie, shopping for cards, or hitting up a live event.

Nashville’s Countdown to Christmas launch really brought that vision to life. Everything, from the décor to the programming tie-ins, was designed to immerse fans in Hallmark’s world of positivity and connection.

Howell pointed out that this approach lets Hallmark bring its brand right to fans’ doors. Whether it’s a pop-up in a local store or a huge event like the Nashville takeover, the company is finding new ways to make fans feel like part of the story.

Beyond Nashville: The Celebration Continues

Hallmark’s holiday festivities didn’t stop in Tennessee. The company has a full slate of fan experiences lined up through the end of the year, each one keeping the Christmas spirit alive well into January.

One of the biggest highlights? The sold-out Hallmark Christmas Cruise, which sailed from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico, with over 4,500 fans on board. The cruise offered exclusive access to Hallmark stars, themed parties, and plenty of chances to celebrate the season at sea.

For those who missed out, Hallmark’s already taking signups for its 2026 cruise. That’s how passionate the fan base has become. But if cruising isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty of magic to experience on land.

This November, Hallmark is hosting its Hallmark Christmas Experience at company headquarters in Kansas City. Expect tree lightings, sing-alongs, creative workshops, and meet-and-greets with the stars who bring Hallmark’s stories to life.

Touchdowns, Tailgates, and Tinsel

Hallmark’s heading north to Buffalo for the premiere of its tentpole movie, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, produced with the NFL and Skydance Sports. The event includes a VIP screening, a fan rally, and a festive stroll with Hallmark stars, Buffalo Bills players, and even Billy Buffalo himself.

By mixing sports, music, and community, Hallmark’s redefining what it means to be a lifestyle brand. It’s not just about watching a movie—it’s about living that Hallmark spirit, in every season, every city, and every shared moment of joy. Isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

Keeping the Magic Alive

After more than a decade on top of the holiday entertainment world, Hallmark doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon. The Nashville celebration made it clear—the company’s recipe still works: authentic stories, real connection, and plenty of ways for fans to get involved.

By bringing together its media, retail, and live events under the One Hallmark umbrella, the brand keeps evolving but never really loses its core vibe. That’s probably why people keep coming back year after year.

From laid-back movie nights to huge public gatherings, Hallmark’s giving fans more chances than ever to soak in that Christmas magic. As Howell said, the goal is pretty straightforward: spark joy and help people connect.

And honestly, with all those happy faces in Nashville—not to mention the millions watching at home—it’s hard to argue with the results.

So, whether you’re sipping cocoa on your couch or joining a line dance at the Opry Plaza, one thing’s obvious: Hallmark isn’t just crossing off days on the calendar. It’s finding ways to make every single one feel special.