Previewing the 2023 Hallmark Christmas Movie Lineup 

Break out the eggnog, kids, because Hallmark Media is coming for you in a month. The annual Countdown to Christmas (Hallmark Channel) and Miracles of Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) programming, plus Hallmark Movie Now premieres and sneak peek windows, start October 20th, with premieres airing Thursday through Sunday every weekend! And impressively, even with the tandem WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes still rolling on, the networks are matching last season’s titles with 40 new premieres. 

There’s a little bit of everything for everyone — coming home, starting over, competitive holidays, time travel, maybe Santas and angels, a castle or two, European travelogues, a royal spin, a ripped from the feel-good headlines tale, a couple of sequels, and a lot of sweets — get your bingo cards ready! The slate also expands its representation, with storylines and performers spanning the neurodiverse and those with physical disabilities.

The who’s who of returning Hallmark talent includes several of our favorites, and a couple of twofers as Lacey Chabert and Marcus Rosner headline two titles each. Also keep an eye out for the fan-favorite Easter egg pop up appearances from Hallmark regulars, some giving a little wink-nod to previous roles.

As we’ve mentioned previously, the strikes preclude us interviewing talent, but if they are resolved before the end of the year, we’ll be right back at it.

Here’s a rundown of what’s coming your way. All premieres air at 8 pm ET/PT, except where noted for Thanksgiving weekend. The streaming premieres on Hallmark Movies Now drop at 3:01 am ET/12:01 am PT.

Friday, October 20 

Checkin’ It Twice (Hallmark Channel) 

A journeyman hockey player (Kevin McGarry) falls for a real estate agent (Kim Matula) in a career crisis when he’s traded to her hometown and moves into the cottage in her hockey loving family’s backyard.

Saturday, October 21

Where Are You, Christmas? (Hallmark Channel)

When Addy (Lyndsy Fonseca) wishes for a year without Christmas, she wakes up in a world of black and white. She must work together with the town mechanic (Michael Rady) to restore Christmas.

Sunday, October 22

Under the Christmas Sky (Hallmark Channel)

Kat (Jessica Parker Kennedy) is an esteemed astrophysicist, who is scheduled for her first trip into space next year until an accident grounds her. While on leave, coming to terms with the reality that her dream of being an astronaut is over, she volunteers at the local planetarium.

There, she is paired up with by-the-book David (Ryan Paevey) to work on an exhibit opening right before Christmas. Will the stars align to bring these two together at the holidays?

Thursday, October 26

Ms. Christmas Comes to Town (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

A shopping channel host known as Ms. Christmas (Barbara Niven) receives a terminal diagnosis, which inspires a multi-city excursion set to spread Christmas cheer before her farewell broadcast. Erica Durance and Brennan Elliott also star.

Friday, October 27

Christmas by Design (Hallmark Channel)

A fashion designer (Rebecca Dalton) gets accepted into a Christmas challenge to create a new holiday-themed collection and not only finds the inspiration for her next line but decides to redesign her approach to what’s most important in life. Jonathan Keltz also stars.

Saturday, October 28

Mystic Christmas (Hallmark Channel)

Juniper (Jessy Schram) travels to Mystic, Connecticut during the holidays to work at the rehabilitation center and aquarium. She reconnects with Sawyer (Chandler Massey), the owner of the pizza shop. Patti Murin and William R. Moses (from the OG Mystic Pizza) also star.

Sunday, October 29 

Joyeux Noel (Hallmark Channel)

When a romantic painting of a Christmas market captures the imagination of copy editor Lea (Jaicy Elliot), she is sent to France with pragmatic reporter Mark (Brant Daugherty) to uncover the mystery behind the artist.

Thursday, November 2

My Christmas Guide (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

After losing his eyesight, a college professor (Ben Mehl) adopts a seeing eye dog from a guide dog trainer (Amber Marshall). As they all begin to spend time together, his confidence returns and his heart begins to open.

Friday, November 3

Flipping for Christmas (Hallmark Channel)

It’s almost Christmas when busy realtor Abigail (Ashley Newbrough) agrees to help her sister with the simple flip of a recently inherited home. Unfortunately, co-beneficiary Bo (Marcus Rosner) has other plans in mind.

Saturday, November 4

Never Been Chris’d (Hallmark Channel)

Home for the holidays, BFFs Naomi (Janel Parrish) and Liz (Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes) reconnect with high school crush Chris Silver (Tyler Hynes). A complex love triangle forms, forcing them to take stock of their lives and find the value of friendship.

Sunday, November 5

The Santa Summit (Hallmark Channel)

It’s time for the annual Santa Summit, in which revelers put on Santa suits and hop around designated locations in town to eat, drink, and be merry. Three best friends decide to go together: Jordin (Hunter King), a recently dumped art teacher looking to cut loose; Ava, a shy woman hoping to run into her crush; and Stella, a Christmas cynic with no interest in the Santa Summit whatsoever.

At the start of the night, Jordin meets and bonds with Liam (Benjamin Hollingsworth), but doesn’t get his name before getting separated and lost in a sea of Santas. As the night progresses and hijinks ensue, amidst the chaos, celebration, and a sea of Santas, they all find what they’re looking for: Christmas spirit, potential romance, and a strengthened bond of friendship.

Thursday, November 9

Mystery on Mistletoe Lane (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

New to town, Heidi Wicks (Erica Cerra) and her kids discover a Christmas mystery in their historic home. Local handyman and historian David (Victor Webster) helps along the way, finding his own surprising connection.

Friday, November 10

Everything Christmas (Hallmark Channel)

Lori Jo’s (Cindy Busby) love for Christmas takes her on a road trip to Yuletide Springs with her roommate Tori (Katherine Barrell), where Christmas is celebrated year-round, to participate in a longstanding town tradition to honor her late grandmother.

Along the way, the friends meet Carl (Corey Sevier) and Jason (Matt Wells), and the foursome make stops during their journey to enjoy more small-town Christmas attractions. But when a series of events puts a damper on their plans, a little Christmas magic may put this trip back on the right path.

Saturday, November 11

Christmas Island (Hallmark Channel)

When a snowstorm diverts Kate’s (Rachel Skarsten) first private flight en route to Switzerland to Christmas Island, she must team up with an air traffic controller (Andrew Walker) to secure her dream job as the family’s pilot.

Sunday, November 12 

A Heidelberg Holiday (Hallmark Channel)

Heidi Heidelberg (Ginna Claire Mason) receives the dream opportunity to sell her beautiful, handmade glass ornaments at the prestigious Heidelberg Christmas Market in Germany. While there, she meets Lukas (Frédéric Brossier), a local artisan who helps her reconnect with her lost heritage.

Thursday, November 16

A World Record Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

Charlie (Aias Dalman) is an autistic boy determined to set a Guinness World Record by stacking 1400 Jenga blocks. His mother Marissa (Nikki DeLoach) and stepfather Eric (Lucas Bryant) encourage him to reach for his dream and they all celebrate when he gets the good news that he’ll have get his chance on Christmas Eve.

In the spirit of the holiday, they organize a fundraiser giving the townspeople an opportunity to donate and decorate a Jenga block, with the proceeds going to benefit kids with autism. Charlie’s journey to setting the Jenga world record gives them all the chance to learn more not just about themselves, but about what family really means. The Hallmark Movies Now early premiere starts November 9.

Friday, November 17

Navigating Christmas (Hallmark Channel)

Recently divorced Melanie (Chelsea Hobbs) and her son Jason visit a remote island for Christmas, only to find themselves running a real working lighthouse where she connects with the curt but cute owner (Stephen Huszar).

Saturday, November 18

A Merry Scottish Christmas (Hallmark Channel)

When estranged siblings, Lindsay (Lacey Chabert) and Brad (Scott Wolf) Morgan travel to Scotland at Christmas to reunite with their mother Jo, a big family secret is revealed.

Sunday, November 19

Holiday Hotline (Hallmark Channel)

After leaving London, Abby (Emily Tennant) connects with an anonymous caller while working at a cooking hotline. The caller is single dad John (Niall Matter) who Abby unknowingly has become smitten with in real life.

Wednesday, November 22

A Season for Family (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

Maddy’s (Stacey Farber) adopted son Wesley (Benjamin Jacobson) has just one Christmas wish — to meet his brother Cody (Azriel Dalman), who was adopted into a different family. Cody’s father Paul (Brendan Penny) is a widower who is not ready to have this conversation with his son, so he turns down a meeting. However, circumstances bring the two brothers unknowingly together and they become fast friends, while sparks fly between Maddy and Paul.

Thursday, November 23 (Thanksgiving)

Catch Me If You Claus (8 pm ET/PT) (Hallmark Channel)

Avery Quinn (Italia Ricci) is an aspiring news anchor who’s finally getting her big break on her station’s Christmas morning newscast. But that’s put in jeopardy when she captures an intruder in her home wearing a red suit claiming to be Chris (Luke Macfarlane), Santa’s son, who is on his first mission. A night of adventure ensues as they find themselves being pursued by the police as well as some shady characters. Along the way, they connect over living in the shadow of their parents and inspire each other to go after their dreams.

Friday, November 24

Letters to Santa (6 pm ET/PT) (Hallmark Channel)

When young siblings receive a magic pen from Santa that appears to be granting wishes, they request a Christmas gift they want more than anything – for their separated parents (Katie Leclerc and Rafael de la Fuente) to reunite.

Holiday Road (8 pm ET/PT) (Hallmark Channel)

(Inspired by last year’s real-life feel-good story.) 

When bad weather leaves each of them stranded at the airport for the holidays, a tech entrepreneur (Warren Christie), a travel writer (Sara Canning), a devoted mother (Enid-Raye Adams) and her son (Kiefer O’Reilly), a stubborn senior (Trevor Lerner), an enigmatic woman with a hint of mystery (Brittany Willacy), a couple (Sharon Crandall, Ryan Mah) traveling from Beijing, and a social media influencer (Princess Davis) all agree to rent a shared van to embark on a road trip to Denver. When their unexpected journey brings them into uncharted territory, they navigate a series of misadventures together and form a deeper bond that just might change the trajectories of each of their lives. 

Saturday, November 25

Christmas in Notting Hill (6 pm ET/PT) (Hallmark Channel)

Famous soccer star, Graham Savoy (William Moseley), has always been too busy for love, but when he comes home to Notting Hill for Christmas, he changes his mind after meeting Georgia (Sarah Ramos) – a visiting American and the one person who has no idea who he is.

Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up (8 pm ET/PT) (Hallmark Channel)

Lacey Chabert and Wes Brown get the band back together for this sequel to last year’s Haul Out the Holly. As the holidays approach, Emily (Chabert) and Jared (Brown) are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together again, this time as a couple. Emily, now embracing Evergreen Lane’s uniquely festive spirit, is ready to work with Jared, Ned (Stephen Tobolowsky), Mary Louise (Ellen Travolta) and Pamela (Melissa Peterman) to make this year’s Christmas celebrations the best yet – even if being the HOA president’s girlfriend doesn’t stop those dreaded decorating citations.

When a house on the block goes up for sale, it causes quite a stir with residents. When the soon-to-be neighbors (Seth Morris and Jennifer Aspen) turn out to be holiday royalty, it looks like this year’s competition is about to heat up. This Christmas, Evergreen Lane is going to sleigh!

Sunday, November 26

Our Christmas Mural (6 pm ET/PT) (Hallmark Channel)

Olivia (Alex Paxton-Beesley) is a single mom who returns home for Christmas. Her mom secretly enters her into a mural contest; she wins but partners with teacher Will (Dan Jeannotte) to create a Christmas masterpiece.

A Biltmore Christmas (8 pm ET/PT) (Hallmark Channel)

Lucy Hardgrove (Bethany Lenz) is a screenwriter who lands the job of a lifetime when she’s hired to pen the script for a remake of the beloved, holiday movie classic, His Merry Wife!, which was filmed in 1947 at beautiful, historic Biltmore House. When the head of the studio isn’t satisfied with the ending Lucy wrote because it deviates from the original’s feel-good conclusion, he sends Lucy to Biltmore Estate for research and inspiration. While there, she unwittingly discovers the ability to travel to the 1947 set of His Merry Wife! through the help of an hourglass. While on set, she and Jack Huston (Kristoffer Polaha), one of the film’s stars, spend time together and become close. But her sudden appearance has set off a chain of events that put the production in jeopardy. Before she can return to the present, Lucy must make things right or threaten to alter the future forever. Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardo also star.

Monday, November 27

Three Wise Men and a Baby Extended Cut (Hallmark Movies Now)

Last year’s juggernaut features extended sequences that were previously only shared at Romadrama. All our coverage is here.

Thursday, November 30

Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

The latest installment in the series finds Carly (Shenae Grimes-Beech) facing her first Christmas without her mother and looking to avoid loneliness. She heads to a quaint town to lead the church choir at Christmas and meets Matthew (Chris Carmack), a man back in town after serving in the army. As she gets to know Matthew, the choir and townspeople, she stumbles across clues that suggest she may have been brought here for a life changing reason. The journey will teach Carly about true love, learning to trust, and that forgiveness is needed to finally heal. Grace Leer also stars. The Hallmark Movies Now premiere drops on November 16.

Friday, December 1

My Norwegian Holiday (Hallmark Channel)

JJ (Rhiannon Fish), grieving the loss of her grandmother and seeking dissertation inspiration, stumbles upon an unexpected holiday destiny. Meeting Henrik (David Elsendoorn), a Norwegian from Bergen, their connection deepens when he discovers she has a troll figurine from his hometown. To explore the troll’s history and her grandmother’s ties, JJ agrees to join Henrik on a journey to Norway. In Bergen, they’re drawn into Henrik’s family Christmas and wedding traditions, with his sister’s wedding the day before Christmas Eve. JJ embarks on a holiday adventure, uncovering the troll’s origins and finding her own path to healing, love and family.

Saturday, December 2

A Not So Royal Christmas (Hallmark Channel)

Tabloid journalist Charlotte (Brooke D’Orsay) attempts to land an interview with a reclusive Count. In response, the royal family has a groundskeeper (Will Kemp) pose as the Count since the real one fled years ago.

Sunday, December 3

Christmas with a Kiss (working title) (Hallmark Channel)

A Mahogany Presentation

A woman (Mishael Morgan) returns home to help with her family’s Christmas Carnival and romance ignites. A photojournalist (Ronnie Rowe Jr. ) curates a surprise reunion. Jaime M. Callica also stars.

Thursday, December 7

To All a Good Night (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

A small-town photographer (Kimberley Sustad) saves the life of a mysterious man (Mark Ghanimé), who may just be in town to buy her family’s parkland – which is also the location of the annual Christmas celebration.

Rescuing Christmas (Hallmark Movies Now)

In a world where Santa (T. Mychael Rambo) is real and wants to drum up some holiday spirit, two of Santa’s elves, Chuck (Patrick Thomas O’Brien) and Debbie (Bailey Stender), devise a plan to grant one human on Earth three wishes to kickstart the holidays. Unfortunately, that human is Erin (Rachael Leigh Cook), who has lost all affection for the season. Even a blind date set up by her sister, with the affable and charming Sam (Sam Page), won’t change her mind about Christmas. But when she makes the mistake of wishing Christmas would just disappear, Erin wakes up to a world where the holiday never existed! Horrified, she realizes that she’s taken away everyone’s joy, so she enlists Sam to help her reinvent the festivities from scratch. In the process, Erin learns just how much this holiday and its traditions have meant to everyone around her — and how much Sam has come to mean to her.

Friday, December 8

Magic in Mistletoe (Hallmark Channel)

Harrington (Paul Campbell) is the author of a popular book series but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse. As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival celebrating his books, he’s joined by April (Lyndie Greenwood), a publicist for the major publishing house he works with. April is there for damage control after Harrington’s recent comments on social media have ruffled some feathers. But as she gets to know him better, hope springs that April can unlock Harrington’s guarded heart and help him rediscover the spirit of the holiday.

Saturday, December 9

Christmas on Cherry Lane (Hallmark Channel)

A young couple (John Brotherton and Erin Cahill) preparing to welcome their first child; an empty-nester and her fiancé (Catherine Bell and James Denton) ready to start a new chapter; and a couple (Jonathan Bennett and Vincent Rodriguez III) who unexpectedly have the chance to expand their family on Christmas Eve celebrate the holiday as they navigate these turning points in their lives.

Sunday, December 10

Round and Round (Hallmark Channel)

Rachel’s (Vic Michaelis) stuck in a time loop, reliving the night of her parents’ Hanukkah party. Can Zach (Bryan Greenberg), the nice boy Grandma’s trying to set her up with, help her make it to tomorrow? Rick Hoffman also stars.

Thursday, December 14

Heaven Down Here (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

Inspired by Mickey Guyton’s song of the same name, Heaven Down Here tells the story of four disparate people who find themselves stranded in a local diner on Christmas Eve when a snowstorm hits the town. Imami (Krystal Joy Brown) is a widowed mother of two who’s having trouble making ends meet and reluctantly agrees to work the Christmas Eve shift, where she clashes with her boss Dan (Richard Harmon), who doesn’t exactly embody the Christmas spirit.

Felix (Juan Riedinger) is a local pastor desperately trying to secure food for parishioners while his faith is challenged by his alienation by his son. Clara (Tina Lifford) is a hospice nurse with an obstinate patient (Phylicia Rashad) and whose daughter is moving away, causing her to question her place in this world. Throughout the evening, these four bicker, bond and unwittingly provide each other with the answer to their respective prayers.

An Ice Palace Romance (Hallmark Movies Now)

A journalist (Celeste Desjardins) faces old fears when she returns to her hometown ice rink to cover a story. With the help of the owner (Marcus Rosner) and his young daughter, she begins to reevaluate her life’s purpose.

Friday, December 15

The Secret Gift of Christmas (Hallmark Channel)

Bonnie (Meghan Ory) is a personal shopper who helps her new, widowed client Patrick (Christopher Russell) reconnect with his young daughter. Though Bonnie and Patrick’s ideas of shopping couldn’t be more different, she is determined to get Patrick and his daughter everything on their wish list.

Saturday, December 16

Sealed with a List (Hallmark Channel)

This holiday season, festive Carley (Katie Findlay) sets out to conquer her list of abandoned resolutions from last year. Aided by coworker Wyatt (Evan Roderick), she finds love and the confidence to chase her dreams.

Sunday, December 17

Friends & Family Christmas (Hallmark Channel)

Daniella (Humberly Gonzalez) has recently moved to New York to pursue an art career and decides to stay in town to share the holidays with her circle of artist friends, instead of going home to see her sweet, if overbearing parents. Amelia (Ali Liebert) is a talented entertainment lawyer trying to stay focused on her work after a broken engagement. When Daniella and Amelia are set up by their parents, they agree to pretend that they are dating, to appease them for the holidays. However, as they spend time in each other’s worlds, they soon build a connection that is deeper than either of them could have hoped for.

Thursday, December 21

Miracle in Bethlehem, PA (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries – A New DaySpring Movie)

Successful and fiercely independent, Mary Ann Brubeck (Laura Vandervoort) adopts a baby girl to raise on her own just before Christmas. Due to weather, she and the baby get stuck in Bethlehem, PA for the holidays. When there is no room at the inn, her only option is to stay with the innkeeper’s brother, Joe (Benjamin Ayres), a quintessential bachelor who lives in a house that he treats like a barn. As Mary Ann learns the value of community by spending time with Joe’s family and participating in the local church’s Christmas events, Joe starts getting his act together with new motivation…and the two begin to see each other in a new light.

A Holiday Spectacular Extended Cut

In 1958, Maggie (Ginna Claire Mason) is an heiress from Philadelphia who puts her high-society wedding plans on hold in order to sneak up to New York City and make her secret dream come true: dancing live on stage in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.

Here are the seasonal trailers!

Photos and video courtesy of Hallmark Media.