Hallmark Unveils Two-Month, 34-Movie ‘Countdown to Christmas’ Lineup for 2026

Odds are a giant inflatable Santa is looming near the entrance of a nearby big box hardware store as you read this. So Hallmark starting its annual “Countdown to Christmas” programming two-plus months out from the actual day is almost restrained.

The cable and streaming outlet announced its full lineup — 34 original movies, plus three new episodes of the Mistletoe Murders series — for the season on Thursday. The slate includes what Hallmark is calling three movie events: Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story (Oct. 17), the company’s third collaboration with the NFL; Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True (Nov. 28), which filmed on location at Disney World; and A Grand Biltmore Christmas (Dec. 5), a follow-up to 2023’s A Biltmore Christmas filmed at the famed estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Related Stories TV 'Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story' Will Help Kick Off Hallmark's Christmas Movie Slate TV Darren Abbott Replaces John Matts as Hallmark Media President After Less Than a Year

“We’re thrilled to offer viewers exciting new movies that feature the heartfelt and inspiring storytelling synonymous with a Hallmark Christmas movie,” said Darren Abbott, president of Hallmark Media and Hallmark’s chief brand officer. “The worlds and cultures of the NFL, Walt Disney World Resort and Biltmore present special opportunities for us to bring fans unique tales of romance, family and community that are sure to be highlights of this holiday season.”

This year’s slate features Hallmark regulars Lacey Chabert , Lyndsy Fonseca , Tamera Mowry -Housley, Paul Campbell, Luke Macfarlane, Holly Robinson Peete, Autumn Reeser, Ashley Williams and other familiar faces. A promo for the lineup is below, followed by the dates, titles and stars for each movie (plus descriptions for a handful of them).

‘Tis the Season for Setups (Oct. 16) Starring Amanda Schull, Victor Webster, Barbara Niven

Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story (Oct. 17) Starring Lyndsy Fonseca, Robert Buckley , Marsha Mason, Barbara Alyn Woods, Khary Payton Logline: Freelance reporter Avery Clark (Fonseca) heads to Chicago to spend Christmas with her mom (Woods) and new stepdad (Payton), she’s hoping for a little holiday downtime before her next assignment. Instead, she lands a feel-good story profiling Darlene Donnelly (Mason), a beloved Chicago Bears superfan about to celebrate an incredible milestone — attending her 500th game. There’s just one catch: Avery knows next to nothing about football or Chicago. Enter Darlene’s handsome grandson Matt (Buckley), a Chicago firefighter and die-hard Bears fan who, with a little gentle nudging from Darlene, agrees to show Avery what being part of Bears Nation is all about. As Avery follows Darlene’s remarkable story through cherished game-day traditions, festive Chicago adventures and memories of a love story that began at a stadium, she starts to understand that football is about much more than what happens on the field.