Meet Hallmark Stars at 2025 Christmas Parties and Events

Hallmark fans, brace yourselves—the most wonderful time of the year is sneaking up early in 2025! The network that basically invented cozy holiday magic is doubling down with a packed schedule of festive fun, star-studded gatherings, and sneak peeks you won’t find anywhere else.

From Nashville’s glittering kickoff parties to Kansas City’s immersive weekends and a sold-out Christmas cruise, Hallmark’s out to prove that nobody does holiday cheer quite like they do. Whether you’re a die-hard Hallmarkie or just looking for an excuse to sip cocoa and belt out some carols, this year’s Countdown to Christmas celebrations are shaping up to be bigger, brighter, and honestly, a little more magical than ever before.

The Nashville Kickoff: Where Country Meets Christmas Magic

While most folks are still picking out Halloween costumes, Hallmark’s already decking the halls. The fun kicks off in mid-October 2025 with two huge parties in Nashville, setting the stage for the network’s 16th annual Countdown to Christmas.

If you make your way to Music City, you’ll get to mingle with some of Hallmark’s biggest names and snag a taste of the season before the first movie even drops. Not a bad way to get ahead of the holiday rush, right?

Hallmark Holiday Takeover at Opry Plaza

On October 15, the Opry Plaza is transforming into a winter wonderland for the Hallmark Holiday Takeover, running from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. This free event lets fans bask in twinkling lights, snap festive photos, and maybe even meet Hallmark stars like Jonathan Bennett, Nikki DeLoach, and Lacey Chabert.

It’s a pretty perfect kickoff for a season packed with sparkle and sentimentality. Nashville’s got a special Hallmark connection this year—the city’s also the backdrop for one of the channel’s most anticipated films, A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, featuring a lineup of country music’s biggest names.

Countdown to Christmas Launch Party at Category 10

The excitement rolls on October 16, when downtown Nashville hosts the Countdown to Christmas Launch Party at Category 10 from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. This exclusive bash promises fans an early look at the upcoming holiday programming.

Expect a night of Country Christmas line dancing, live music from special guests, and plenty of heartwarming surprises. The full guest list’s still under wraps, but fans are hoping stars from A Grand Ole Opry Christmas—maybe even country legend Brad Paisley—might drop by. Nashville’s Southern charm and Hallmark’s holiday heart? That’s a combo worth experiencing.

Hallmark’s Kansas City Christmas Experience Returns

After Nashville, the holiday spirit heads north to Hallmark’s hometown. For the second year running, the Hallmark Christmas Experience takes over Kansas City’s Crown Center, just steps from the company’s headquarters.

Running across four weekends from November 28 through December 21, 2025, this event’s quickly turning into a must-visit for fans from all over. It’s getting bigger, too—last year, nearly 80,000 fans showed up for the inaugural event.

Four Weekends of Festive Fun

Every weekend features Hallmark favorites in panels, meet-and-greets, and photo ops. Fans can dive into holiday spirit with themed activities, a bustling Christmas market, and exclusive merch.

This year’s expanded schedule means even more chances to connect with stars, swap stories, and maybe catch a glimpse of what’s coming next for Hallmark’s ever-growing holiday universe.

Why Kansas City Is the Heart of Hallmark

Kansas City isn’t just Hallmark’s corporate HQ—it’s really the heartbeat of the brand’s creativity. The Christmas Experience pulls fans right into the world where the magic’s made.

From interactive installations to behind-the-scenes panels, visitors get to see how simple holiday stories become beloved traditions. It’s part convention, part festival, and honestly, all heart. Ever dreamed of stepping into a Hallmark movie? This is about as close as it gets.

Christmas Con 2025: The Ultimate Holiday Fan Gathering

Come December, the party shifts east to Edison, New Jersey, for Christmas Con 2025. From December 12–14, this annual convention is a dream for anyone who’s ever fallen for a Hallmark holiday romance.

Just 30 miles from New York City, over 25 celebrities will gather for three days of meet-and-greets, photo ops, movie screenings, and special events. It’s a holiday fan’s paradise, really.

Stars Galore and Festive Fandom

This year’s lineup reads like a Hallmark Hall of Fame. You’ll see Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, Paul Campbell, Kimberley Sustad, plus favorites like Nikki DeLoach, Brennan Elliott, Wes Brown, Victor Webster, Will Kemp, B.J. Britt, Jessy Schram, Marcus Rosner, and Crystal Lowe.

The organizers promise a weekend of holiday joy, laughter, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments. It’s not every day you get to hang out with this many Hallmark stars in one place.

What Makes Christmas Con So Special

Christmas Con isn’t just about meet-and-greets—it’s a full-on celebration of holiday storytelling. Attendees can dive into themed parties, trivia contests, and interactive workshops exploring how Hallmark crafts its signature blend of romance and nostalgia.

For a lot of fans, it’s a place to connect with others who get the love for cozy sweaters, small-town charm, and happily-ever-afters. Hallmark movies aren’t just entertainment—they’re a lifestyle, and this convention proves it.

The Sold-Out Hallmark Christmas Cruise

Think Hallmark’s holiday celebrations are limited to land? Nope. In November 2025, over 3,000 lucky fans will set sail on the sold-out Hallmark Christmas Cruise, a five-day trip from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico.

From November 6–10, passengers will enjoy exclusive events, themed activities, and lots of one-on-one time with 18 Hallmark stars. It’s the kind of trip that makes you wish you’d booked sooner.

Onboard with the Stars

Hosted by Jonathan Bennett and Nikki DeLoach, the cruise is basically a floating winter wonderland—tree-decorating contests, holiday movie marathons, and festive dinners under the stars included.

Tickets vanished fast, but fans can still follow along on social media, where stars are expected to share behind-the-scenes peeks at all the fun. It’s warm, inclusive, and just brimming with joy—pretty much the Hallmark spirit in a nutshell.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Cruise

Didn’t snag a spot this time? Don’t stress—Hallmark’s already announced the 2026 cruise, setting sail in October. Details are mostly secret for now, but anticipation’s definitely building.

If the 2025 cruise is any clue, cabins will disappear faster than you can say mistletoe and magic. Keep an eye out for early registration if you don’t want to miss the boat—literally.

Why Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas Keeps Growing

After 16 years, Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas isn’t just a seasonal TV event anymore. It’s kind of a cultural phenomenon at this point.

What started as a handful of made-for-TV movies has become a movement that spans cities, conventions, and even the open sea. The network keeps finding new ways to bring fans together, blending nostalgia with fresh ideas and proving that the holiday spirit’s alive and well.

The Magic Behind the Movies

Hallmark’s secret? Consistency. Fans know what they’ll get: heartwarming stories, charming towns, and characters rediscovering the meaning of Christmas.

But there’s always something new, too—fresh faces, diverse storylines, and more live events every year. It’s a formula that just works, and honestly, that’s why millions keep tuning in, year after year.

How Fans Can Join the Celebration

Maybe you’re eyeing a Nashville party. Or maybe Kansas City’s calling your name for a weekend getaway.

Some folks will just follow the cruise excitement from home, and honestly, that’s a vibe too. Hallmark’s social channels are worth a glance for updates, ticket drops, and the occasional behind-the-scenes gem.

Can’t forget the essentials—stock up on cocoa, cookies, and those blankets that somehow make everything better. When Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas kicks off, it just feels like the world gets a little cozier, doesn’t it?

So, yeah, mark your calendars, Hallmarkies. From Nashville to New Jersey, Kansas City to the Caribbean—it’s looking like the 2025 holiday season might just outdo itself.