Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town Contest: Meet the 25 Finalists

Hallmark is searching for the place that captures the most irresistible holiday-movie magic, and the competition has officially narrowed to 25 picture-perfect towns across America. From storybook main streets and sparkling storefronts to beloved parades, community traditions, and generous hometown spirit, these finalists are competing for a title that could put their local charm on the national stage.

The biggest twist? The winning destination may also get the chance to become a filming location for a future Hallmark movie, giving fans one very big reason to cast their votes before the deadline.

Hallmark Has Found 25 Towns That Look Ready for Their Close-Up

For anyone who spends the holiday season dreaming of snow-dusted streets, cozy local shops, twinkling lights, and a chance encounter with a charming stranger at a Christmas tree farm, this contest is basically a real-life Hallmark movie waiting to happen. Hallmark invited fans to nominate towns that bring the network’s signature sense of warmth, wonder, and togetherness to life during the holidays.

After nominations poured in, the field was narrowed to 25 finalists. Each community was selected because it represents the kind of festive atmosphere that makes viewers want to pack a suitcase, grab a mug of cocoa, and move into a downtown apartment above an independent bookstore.

These Finalists Are Bringing Serious Holiday Energy

The lineup spans the country, proving that heartwarming Christmas spirit isn’t limited to one region, climate, or style of celebration. Some contenders are famous for historic architecture and old-fashioned downtown charm, while others are known for scenic settings, lively community events, and traditions that pull residents together year after year.

• Ashland, Oregon
• Bemidji, Minnesota
• Berlin, Maryland
• Boerne, Texas
• Cape May, New Jersey
• Carlinville, Illinois
• Carolina Beach, North Carolina
• Chatham, Massachusetts
• Collierville, Tennessee
• Conway, South Carolina
• Corning, New York
• Cullman, Alabama
• Eureka Springs, Arkansas
• Hanover, Pennsylvania
• Leavenworth, Washington
• Lewisburg, West Virginia
• Marlborough, Connecticut
• Neenah, Wisconsin
• North Conway, New Hampshire
• Papillion, Nebraska
• Parkville, Missouri
• Placerville, California
• Portsmouth, Ohio
• Versailles, Kentucky
• Winter Garden, Florida

It’s a fascinating mix of classic Christmas destinations and potential under-the-radar gems. Leavenworth, for example, has long been associated with an elaborate Bavarian-style holiday atmosphere, while towns such as Cape May, Berlin, and Eureka Springs offer the kind of historic visual appeal that could instantly make a holiday film feel more magical.

Fans Can Vote Every Day, but There Is an Important Catch

Hallmark fans can visit the Merriest Christmas Town Contest website and vote for their favorite finalist once each day. Voting is free, though participants will need to provide an email address as part of the process.

That means passionate residents, former locals, holiday travelers, and Hallmark superfans have an opportunity to keep supporting their favorite town throughout the voting period.

The deadline arrives at 11:59 p.m. ET on September 4, 2026. Anyone hoping to give their hometown an extra boost shouldn’t wait until the final evening, especially because daily voting can add up quickly during a close contest.

The Popular Vote Is Important, but It Will Not Decide Everything

Here’s where the competition gets even more interesting. Fan voting will be considered, but it won’t be the only factor used to select the ultimate winner. A panel of judges will make the final decision, meaning this isn’t simply a race to see which community can generate the most online votes.

The judges will assess each finalist based on several hallmarks of a memorable Christmas community:

• Community Spirit
• Holiday Traditions
• Neighborhood Charm
• Goodwill

That judging criteria makes perfect sense for a Hallmark-centered contest. The network’s best holiday stories are never only about decorations or postcard-worthy scenery. They’re about neighbors showing up for one another, local traditions being passed down, and people finding connection during the busiest time of the year.

So while a beautifully lit town square certainly helps, the communities with the strongest chance may be the ones that can demonstrate a genuine culture of service, celebration, and hometown pride. In other words, it takes more than a gorgeous gazebo to win this one.

The Prize Could Turn a Small Town Into a Hallmark Movie Destination

Winning the title of Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town would be a major bragging right for any community. For local businesses, tourism offices, and residents who spend months preparing for holiday festivities, national recognition could bring a surge of interest from visitors eager to experience the magic for themselves.

But the potential filming opportunity is the prize that could truly change everything. The winning town will have the chance to serve as a filming location for a future Hallmark movie. That possibility transforms the contest from a cheerful seasonal honor into a potentially huge entertainment moment.

Imagine Seeing Your Favorite Main Street in a Holiday Romance

There’s something undeniably exciting about the possibility of a real town becoming the setting for a Hallmark story. A local bakery could become the go-to spot for a fictional big-city executive rediscovering the meaning of Christmas.

A charming inn could host a family reunion, a town tree lighting, or a last-minute romantic revelation. That little shop on the corner could suddenly become the place where the heroine finds the perfect handmade ornament and an unexpected new beginning.

Beyond the fantasy, a filming location can provide meaningful attention for a community. Visitors often seek out places they’ve seen on screen, and holiday movies have a particular ability to turn filming sites into annual travel traditions.

A town that lands a Hallmark production could become a destination for fans who want to recreate the cozy, festive feeling they watched unfold on television.

The Winner Will Be Revealed Just in Time for the Holiday Season

Hallmark plans to announce the winner at the end of October, a fitting moment as the holiday entertainment season begins to take over television schedules, town squares, and shopping lists everywhere. By then, one of the 25 finalists will have earned the coveted distinction of being the network’s merriest Christmas town.

Until then, the contest offers a fun reminder of why Hallmark holiday movies remain such a reliable seasonal tradition. They celebrate the idea that magic can be found in familiar places: a decorated storefront, a volunteer-run parade, a community choir, or a street full of neighbors gathered under glowing lights.

Now Is the Time to Back the Town That Feels Like Home

Whether your favorite finalist is your hometown, a beloved vacation spot, or simply the place that looks most likely to inspire an instant holiday road trip, voting gives fans a chance to join the story. The judges will have the final word, but public support could still help one town stand out from the festive crowd.

With daily votes available through September 4, 2026, the race is far from over. One of these 25 communities is about to earn a title worthy of a giant red bow. It may even become the backdrop for the next can’t-miss Hallmark holiday romance.