Jonathan Bennett Leads Hallmark Christmas Experience 2026 Lineup

Hallmark fans, it’s time to start untangling those Christmas lights—seriously, the big news is out. The Hallmark Christmas Experience is officially coming back to Kansas City for its third year, and this time it’s aiming for even more magic, lights, and over-the-top holiday spirit.

This year, Jonathan Bennett is leading the charge across all four weekends. The lineup? It’s basically a Hallmark holiday movie marathon come to life, with stars you’ve probably wished you could meet in person.

Jonathan Bennett Is the Holiday MVP

If there’s one face that screams Hallmark Christmas, it’s Jonathan Bennett. He’s not just showing up—he’s hosting all four weekends of the 2026 Hallmark Christmas Experience.

That means whether you’re there for one weekend or all of them, you’ll see him at the center of everything. He’ll be guiding folks through the Stars on Stage panels, introducing the Saturday Night Showcases, and popping up at meet-and-greets where you can probably count on a selfie or two.

And for anyone who’s been hoping Tyler Hynes would make an appearance, good news—he’s confirmed for two weekends. That’s just the icing on the gingerbread house, honestly.

Four Weekends of Pure Christmas Magic

The Hallmark Christmas Experience spreads out over four weekends in Kansas City—Hallmark’s hometown since 1910. Every weekend brings a different vibe and a fresh lineup, so if you want to catch your favorite, you might need to plan ahead.

Weekend One: A 25-Year Celebration

Weekend one runs November 27-29 and kicks off with a Saturday Night Showcase called From First Kiss to Forever: 25 Years of Hallmark Magic. Expect a big dose of nostalgia and a peek behind the scenes at Lacey Chabert and Scott Michael Foster’s upcoming film, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True.

Here’s who’s showing up that first weekend:

• Jonathan Bennett hosting
• Andrew Walker
• B.J. Britt
• Brooke D’Orsay
• Erin Cahill
• Hunter King
• Lacey Chabert
• Melissa Peterman
• Nikki DeLoach
• Scott Michael Foster
• Taylor Cole
• Tyler Hynes

Honestly, it’s a Hallmark fan’s dream come true.

Weekend Two: A Gilded Age Affair

December 4-6 is all about elegance with Welcome to Biltmore: A Gilded Age Affair. If you loved A Grand Biltmore Christmas, seeing Holland Roden and Niall Matter in person should be a treat.

The rest of the weekend two lineup looks like this:

• Jonathan Bennett hosting
• Alison Sweeney
• Brendan Penny
• Emilie Ullerup
• Heather Hemmens
• Holland Roden
• Kristoffer Polaha
• Niall Matter
• Nikki DeLoach
• Rachel Boston
• Tamera Mowry-Housley
• Tyler Hynes
• Wes Brown

It’s a mix of Hallmark legends and romantic leads, so expect plenty of sparkle and heart.

Weekend Three: Hope Valley Takes Over

December 11-13 is for the When Calls the Heart and Hope Valley: 1874 crowd. Christmas in Hope Valley takes over, turning the whole event into a frontier-style holiday celebration.

Here’s who’s on the list for weekend three:

• Benjamin Ayres
• Ben Rosenbaum
• Bethany Joy Lenz
• Chris McNally
• Erin Krakow
• Jack Wagner
• Jill Hennessy
• Kavan Smith
• Kevin McGarry
• Lachlan Quarmby
• Lori Loughlin
• Pascale Hutton
• Viv Leacock

If you’re a Heartie, you probably won’t want to miss this one.

Weekend Four: Jingle Bell Jam Finale

The last weekend, December 18-20, wraps things up with Jingle Bell Jam. It’s a big send-off, packed with crowd-pleasers:

• Jonathan Bennett hosting
• Ashley Williams
• Autumn Reeser
• Catherine Bell
• Holly Robinson Peete
• James Denton
• Kimberley Sustad
• Lyndsy Fonseca
• Paul Campbell
• Robert Buckley
• Victor Webster
• Will Kemp

Honestly, it’s a stacked lineup for the grand finale.

What Makes the Hallmark Christmas Experience So Special

This isn’t your average fan convention. Crown Center Square in Kansas City turns into a winter wonderland, complete with a Christmas market, themed dining, creative workshops, and panels that actually feel up-close and personal.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Stars on Stage panels for behind-the-scenes stories
• Meet and greets with Hallmark stars
• Workshops led by Hallmark’s artists and writers
• Special dining events to boost the holiday vibes
• A sprawling Christmas market for all your festive shopping needs

The whole thing somehow blends small-town coziness with a dash of Hollywood sparkle. That’s the Hallmark difference, right?

The New Ticket Package That Changes Everything

This year, there’s a brand-new option for superfans. Alongside the returning Be Merry and Find Magic packages, Hallmark is rolling out its most immersive choice yet: Make Memories.

Here’s what’s included in the premium package:

• Reserved seating for all Stars on Stage and Saturday Night Showcases
• Exclusive meet-and-greet breakfast with Hallmark stars
• Your own onsite service desk
• Access to a private Make Memories lounge
• An inside look at Hallmark’s history and creative process

If you’re a die-hard fan, it’s basically the VIP sleigh ride you’ve been waiting for.

When Tickets Go on Sale

Pre-sale for ticket packages starts May 14. General public sales open May 18, and early bird pricing is available through June 15.

If you’re thinking about waiting, you might want to reconsider. With Jonathan Bennett hosting every weekend and this kind of lineup, tickets are probably going to disappear fast.

Why 2026 Could Be the Biggest Year Yet

The Hallmark Christmas Experience has been growing since it first started. But honestly, 2026 just feels different.

They’re rolling out expanded programming and deeper show integrations. Plus, the new Make Memories package shows Hallmark’s really leaning into connecting with fans.

Franchises like When Calls the Heart are taking center stage. There are anniversary celebrations honoring 25 years of Hallmark magic too.

The A-list roster covers pretty much every corner of the network’s holiday universe. This year’s event feels less like a convention—more like stepping right into a Hallmark movie, if you ask me.

Jonathan Bennett’s at the heart of it all, guiding fans through four weekends packed with romance, nostalgia, and Christmas spirit. If you’ve ever curled up with cocoa and let a Hallmark movie work its magic, Kansas City just might be the place to be in 2026.