Unlike other made-for-TV movies, Hallmark does a fantastic job of making every city or hometown seem idyllic and quaint. The locations used are much more than an address, the network brings the town to life with different seasonal aspects to transport the viewer into the story itself. And although these Hallmark movies are staged all over the world, the network has a few staple locations that they love working in.
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According toRefinery29, Hallmark chooses certain locations that will be the cheapest for them and that will give them "tax incentives." Although Lacey Chabert and Candace Cameron Bure may claim they're in Pennsylvania or Tennessee, they could actually be in Canada or Vermont. To check out 10 popular filming locations that Hallmark uses, scroll below!
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Updated on December 16th, 2021, by Lynn Gibbs: As soon as the cold weather hits, Hallmark lovers tune into the network to catch the newest holiday-related movie. Hallmark movies have a special essence about them that makes viewers feel warm and cozy when watching. It also doesn't hurt that some actors and actresses pop up in multiple Hallmark movies, gaining a following in multiple genres.
Aside from the cozy sweaters and romantic storylines, the other things that fans love about Hallmark movies are the picturesque towns. And since some of the towns have fictional names, fans would be interested to know where the movies are actually filmed.
Memphis, Tennessee
There's always anticipation around Hallmark's Christmas movies. Between the snow the loving storylines, these movies give fans hope.Christmas at Graceland was a Christmas movie filmed in Memphis, Tennessee at the one and only Graceland estate, notedThe Pioneer Woman.
Another movie that was filmed in Tennessee wasChristmas at Dollywood.Knox News noted that the exterior shots of Dollywood were filmed in Tennessee, but most of the movie was filmed in Winnipeg, Canada, believe it or not.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah is known for its diverse geographical location. There areoutdoor wonders like mountains and lakes, but there's also a small-town charm throughout the actual city of Salt Lake.Heavy noted that the Hallmark moviesSister Swap: Christmas in the City Parts 1 & 2were filmed in Utah. Although it was a holiday movie, production took place in the summer.
The site also noted that other Hallmark movies likeHolly & Ivy and Sweet Pecan Summer were filmed around Salt Lake City, proving that Hallmark can't get enough of the charming ski village.
Small, Quaint Towns Throughout Connecticut
Most Hallmark movies had a few things in common, which proves that Hallmark has its storylines and tropes written down to a science because they never get old. With Hallmark obsessed with small-town charm or big city magic, filming in Connecticut is one of the best choices.
CT Visit wrote thatNext Stop, Christmaswas filmed throughout Connecticut in towns like Hartford and New Haven. Hallmark writer Julie Sherman Wolfe said this about Connecticut to CT Insider, "There’s something about fall and winter in Connecticut in particular that feels romantic." Films likeOne Royal Holiday, You, Me, & The Christmas Tree,andA Holiday in Harlemwere also all filmed in Connecticut.
All Over Vermont
Some of the best storylines in Hallmark movies surround a cozy town surrounded by woods, like in Vermont. The state of Vermont seems like the perfect location for fall and winter Hallmark movies. With loads of outdoor space, hiking trails, and cozy towns, Vermont has the perfect backdrop for any scene Hallmark could ever need.
Movies likeMoonlight & Mistletoewere filmed in towns like Chester and Bellow Falls, according to Scenes of Vermont.Funny enough, sometimes Hallmark movies will claim they're based in Vermont but will actually be filmed in different parts of Canada.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Canada has 10 provinces and three territories throughout the country and Hallmark takes advantage of many of them. Based in British Columbia, Hallmark loves shooting movies and scenes in Vancouver. From Valentine's Day meet-cutes to Christmas tree farms, Vancouver can be the backdrop for any holiday.
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According toTourism Vancouver, the city has been Hallmark's background for 60 films every single year. Movies likeHope at Christmas, Christmas Joy,andRoad to Christmas have all been filmed throughout Vancouver's many magical locations.
Atlanta, Georgia
Hallmark doesn't just film up north, they also film down south too. Hallmark loves filming in the south when it's time for fall, summer, and spring-themed movies. The state of Georgia has been a popular location for Hallmark over the years, filming in Atlanta,Dahlonega, andTybee Island.
The Watsons Go to Bimington is a movie that's based in Binmington, Alabama but was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, according to Southern Living.Likewise, Valentine's Day-themed movie,The Lost Valentine, was also filmed in Atlanta and starred famed actresses, Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. It wasn't one of White's more iconic roles, but it was a feel-good film.
Ontario, Canada
Ontario, Canada is home to gorgeous cities, natural wonders, and is an easy flight from New York for actors living in the Big Apple. It's a great spot for Hallmark to film certain scenes in and oodles of movies have been filmed in this Canadian province.
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According toTravel and Design, one of Hallmark's best Christmas movies,Fir Crazy,was filmed in Toronto and was based around a newly unemployed woman working her family's Christmas tree lot for the holiday season. Another film, The Christmas Cure, was filmed in the small town of Dundas, which is right outside of Hamilton, Ontario.
Different Parts Of North Carolina
Georgia isn't the only southern state Hallmark loves filming in, North Carolina is another perfect state to film scenes in due to its vast terrain. There are beaches, mountains, small towns, cities — North Carolina has it all. Due to its mild weather, North Carolina is a great state for Hallmark's warmer-months movies.
Christmas in Conway is a Hallmark movie with a big cast with a classic Hallmark trope that was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, according toStar News Online. It included Mandy Moore, Mary Louise Parker, and Andy Garcia.A Way Back Home is another country music favorite filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Manitoba, Canada
The province of Manitoba is right between Ontario andSaskatchewan. Along with other Canadian provinces, it's a great backdrop for many Hallmark movies.
A Christmas Connection is a feel-good movie about a dedicated flight attendant named Sydney who looks after a young girl on a flight until she is connected with her father when they land. But when Sydney's flight gets canceled, she ends up spending the holidays with the small-town family. As fans can imagine, it's a love story waiting to happen. Candace Cameron Bure's popularJourney Back to Christmasisn't the best Christmas movie but it was another one that was filmed in Winnipeg.
Throughout Utah
Utah is another state that has gorgeous countryside to fulfill any background Hallmark is trying to sell.Switched at Christmas is a great holiday movie about drastically different twin sisters who switch places during the holiday season when they need a change of pace in their respective lives. As always, the sisters learn more about each other's day-to-day lives and grow closer.
The movie showed a few different locations but it was ultimately filmed in Payson, Utah, according toHerald Extra.Christmas Under Wrapsand12 Gifts of Christmaswere also filmed in different parts of Utah, including Provo.
New York City, New York
Most Hallmark movies have similar plots or storylines. Each movie differs from the other, of course, but it's a long-running joke that all Hallmark movies start and end in similar ways. For example, there's typically a contrasting big city and a small town involved in the same movie. Whether it's a small-town girl making it big in the city or a city-slicker who has to rough it in a small town – it's all gold.
New York City is a hot spot when it comes to filming, according to Heavy.Christmas at the Plazais a movie that could only be filmed in the Big Apple since it's filmed at the one and only Plaza.
Around Colorado's Mountains
Colorado is the perfect place for a Hallmark movie revolving around winter sports, windy roads, or log cabins.
Winter in Vail is one of those Hallmark movies that was actually filmed in Vail and showed off just how gorgeous Colorado can be in the winter. Starring Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes, two people come together to bring back an old festivity to the small town of Vail. It was one of Chabert's cuter Christmas movies. Hallmark'sWhen Calls the Heartis also filmed in Colorado, notedHollywood Reporter.
Across The Pond!
As amazing as the small towns in Canada and the US are, some Hallmark movies are shown in Europe. Whether it's a competition, a job, or a royalty match in heaven, some scenes can only be filmed in Europe.Christmas At The Palacetakes place in the fake country of San Senova, but it was actually filmed in Romania, according toCountry Living.
Heavy noted that Valentine's Day filmLove, Romance, & Chocolate tookplace in Belgium.With cobblestoned streets and picturesque towns, Hallmark scouts know exactly what each movie needs to draw in viewers.
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FAQs
13 Popular Filming Locations For Hallmark Movies? ›
While most of the Hallmark movies are filmed in Canada, a handful each year are filmed at various U.S. and European locations. One location in Europe, Bucharest, Romania, is the setting for numerous royalty-themed Hallmark movies.
Where are most of Hallmark movies filmed? ›While most of the Hallmark movies are filmed in Canada, a handful each year are filmed at various U.S. and European locations. One location in Europe, Bucharest, Romania, is the setting for numerous royalty-themed Hallmark movies.
Where did they film Hallmark 2023? ›Hallmark Channel announced a new movie coming in 2023 will be filmed in Asheville, NC. The movie, “A Biltmore Christmas,” will be filmed at the Biltmore Estate, and stars Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha.
Are there any real Christmas towns like in Hallmark movies? ›Placerville, California
Even though it's known as a gold rush town, Placerville is an adorable place that actually inspired a real Christmas movie, Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage, since the artist called the town home.
- Monroe and Marietta Georgia. ...
- Dahlonega, Georgia. ...
- Farmington, Utah. ...
- Memphis, Tennessee. ...
- Vancouver and Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. ...
- Chester, Vermont. ...
- Wilmington, North Carolina. ...
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
The Waterfall Scenes Were Shot In Squamish, British Columbia.
What is the #1 best Christmas town? ›North Pole, Alaska
This town stays decked out for Christmas year-round—so if you're craving a little holiday spirit in July, you'll still find candy-cane posts, boughs of holly, and a Santa Claus house (with live reindeer!).
The majority of Hallmark movies are filmed in Canada (didn't see that one coming) and typically set in larger cities near Vancouver. Some filming locations have even gone so far to cross the pond. For example, Christmas in Vienna really was filmed in Austria.
Why are Hallmark movies filmed in summer? ›Most Christmas movies film in the summer so that they're ready in time for the holidays, though these movies usually lack the resources to truly fake a winter wonderland. “Snow is expensive. Only once per movie will you actually see it snowing,” says Britney.
How far in advance are Hallmark movies filmed? ›They're shot very quickly. It wouldn't be surprising if some of them are wrapping up right now that you're still going to see for Christmas coming up. So when you're dealing with the Lifetime and the Hallmark Christmas movies, they can shoot in 16 days or a few days more than that. It's a very fast process.
Where is Hallmark Caribbean filmed? ›
Shot entirely on location in Belize, Caribbean Summer follows Jade, played by Heather Hemmens, to Placencia, her escapism personified after embarrassing herself on live TV. She's welcomed by the warmth of Belizeans, after her correcting a hiccup with her rental, and meets Ford, played by Ser'Darius Blain.
Is there really an ice hotel like in the Hallmark movie? ›"Winter Castle's" real life ice hotel is actually the Hôtel de Glace, located just 20 minutes north of the charming Québec City in the Québec province of Canada.
Where is the most Christmassy town in the US? ›Enjoy Christmas year-round in the small town of Santa Claus, Indiana. Known as America's Christmas Town, Santa Claus offers visitors a unique Christmassy experience for all ages. Explore the thrills of Holiday World, a Christmas-themed amusement park, to relax in one of Santa's Cabins overlooking Lake Rudolph.
Where is the most Christmassy town? ›Rovaniemi - Lapland, Finland. Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland, may be the best place on earth to celebrate Christmas. Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Finns argue that it makes a much likelier home for Santa than even the North Pole.
What town is Aurora Teagarden filmed in? ›Where is Aurora Teagarden Mysteries filmed? The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries are filmed in Canada in and around Vancouver, British Columbia.
Where was Roadhouse Romance filmed? ›Despite being set in Tennessee, was entirely filmed around Vancouver, Canada. The first of six original films in The Hallmark Channel's 2021 "Fall Harvest" lineup.
What town in Pennsylvania looks like a Hallmark movie? ›Recognized by VisitPA.com as one of Pennsylvania's most “Hallmark movie-esque” locations in PA, the town of Canonsburg has quickly become the area's most beloved holiday destination!
Where is the Hallmark movie Beach House? ›Stars Minka Kelly, Andie MacDowell, Chad Michael Murray, and Makenzie Vega. "The Beach House" is based on the novel by Mary Alice Monroe. The movie was shot on-location on Tybee Island, Georgia. Find out more at http://www.exploregeorgia.org/film.
What town is decorated like a Hallmark movie? ›3. Placerville, California. Even though it's known as a gold rush town, Placerville is an adorable place that actually inspired a real Christmas movie, Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage, since the artist called the town home.
What town is Evergreen in Hallmark movie? ›Though there's no such place in Vermont, the Hallmark Christmas movie was filmed in a historic hamlet that you can visit in real life, just as we did during the making of the movie: Burnaby Village Museum in Burnaby, British Columbia.
What is the most famous Christmas town in USA? ›
Leavenworth, Washington is the most Christmassy town in America, and it's not surprising why. The town is designed to resemble a Bavarian village and goes big for Christmas, with 21 miles of Christmas lights decorating the town.
What town is known as Christmas Town USA? ›McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA. You can purchase a copy at. MONA'S BOUTIQUE & GIFTS. 121 MAIN STREET, MCADENVILLE, N.C. 28101.
What neighborhood was A Christmas Story filmed in? ›Most exteriors were shot in Toronto. Interior scenes were done on a stage set. But in every sense of the word (no, not the “fudge” word) Ohio's Tremont neighborhood is where Ralphie Parker and his family experienced A Christmas Story. 3159 West 11th Street, just south of Clark Avenue, is A Christmas Story House.
What island is Christmas with Holly? ›Filming. Although set in Washington state, the film was shot entirely in Nova Scotia, Canada in August 2012, in the towns of Halifax, Chester and Windsor.
Who is the most popular Hallmark actor? ›Hallmark's Best Lead Movie Actors Are Ryan Paevey and Andrew Walker, Plus Kevin McGarry | Soaps.com.
What actress did the most Hallmark movies? ›Having 30 Hallmark movies to her name, Lacey Chabert – known for her roles on “Party of Five” and “Mean Girls” – has been called the “Queen of Hallmark Movies,” something the actress takes as a compliment.
Which Hallmark actor has been in the most Hallmark movies? ›None for Gretchen Wieners, maybe, but plenty for Chabert, who is one of the undisputed queens of Hallmark movies. She's starred in a grand total of 27 of the channel's original movies, starting with 2010's Elevator Girl.
What was the very first Hallmark Christmas movie? ›The first episode to debut on Hallmark Channel was One Christmas Eve, starring Anne Heche. On the cable channel, four original movies at most would air as a part of the Hall of Fame with multiple encores. The HHOF library would also be available.
How much do Hallmark movie actors make per movie? ›Naturally, the actors need to be compensated for their work. According to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) pay scale, for a leading role, a Hallmark actor could make between $1,251.00 to $3,575.00 per week.
What actress is no longer doing Hallmark movies? ›Candace Cameron Bure shocked fans in April 2022 when she announced that she was leaving Hallmark Media for Great American Media.
Do small towns like in Hallmark movies really exist? ›
While some of the movies may feature fictional towns, many have been shot in real-life locations that are just as charming as they seem on TV — and would make for the perfect destination to ring in the holidays for true Hallmark lovers.
What is the longest running Hallmark TV series? ›Probably the longest-running anthology series on television, the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" has been presenting television dramatizations of famous plays and books, as well as original programs especially written for the series, since 1951.
Why are so many Hallmark movies made in Canada? ›Vortex is one of many Toronto-based companies that produce a large number of holiday films for networks including Hallmark, Lifetime and the W Network. Ikeman says so many of these movies are made here for three main reasons: financial benefits, location and reliability of the talent and crew here.
What Hallmark movie was filmed in Belize? ›Hallmark's 'Caribbean Summer' filmed in Belize; casts show off their Belize-able experience! Hallmark's new movie, “Caribbean Summer” which premiered this past Saturday was filmed in Placencia, Belize.
Where is the Hallmark Christmas Town? ›Unfortunately, Grandon Falls isn't exactly a real place. But you can still pay a visit to the spot where Candace and the cast made Christmas Town. Hallmark confirmed with CountryLiving.com that it was actually filmed in Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. Which is pretty much as beautiful a place as they come.
What Hawaiian resort was in the Hallmark movie? ›The beautiful Kahala Hotel and Resort is the perfect backdrop for Hallmark Channel's new original romantic movie “You Had Me at Aloha,” starring Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith.
Are any Hallmark movies filmed in real snow? ›The beautiful, snow-covered winter scenes aren't real.
All of the snow and weather conditions are fake, which can make it really challenging for the actors. "Typically, they are shot in the summer, and you're in coats, scarves, gloves, and cashmere, and it's 110 degrees outside," Chabert explained.
Women dominate the Hallmark target audience demographic, but millennials and Gen Xers are the majority of viewers. The movies have ethnically diverse casts, a wide range of family structures and characters in same-sex relationships. This doesn't happen just through the enthusiasm of staff script writers.
What is the famous Christmas Street in the US? ›34th Street, Baltimore
A true miracle on 34th Street, this decades-long tradition boasts both classic displays and one-of-a-kind details, like a Christmas tree made of hubcaps.
North Pole, Alaska
This town stays decked out for Christmas year-round—so if you're craving a little holiday spirit in July, you'll still find candy-cane posts, boughs of holly, and a Santa Claus house (with live reindeer!).
What is the most popular Christmas village? ›
Calling itself the Best Christmas Town in America, Colonial Williamsburg particularly shines at Christmastime. Traditions abound, such as caroling by torchlight, a gun-salute display, and every home in the historic area lighting a candle in their windows—dating back to the days of the Founding Fathers.
Why are so many Hallmark movies filmed in Seattle? ›PRODUCTION VALUE
Seattle is 30% cheaper to film in than Los Angeles. It only costs $25/day to film on the streets of Seattle and all your permit needs are handled by the City of Seattle's Office of Film + Music. Get even more value by taking advantage of Washington State's 30% cash back program.
But the reason why they're typically made in Canada makes a lot of sense. Granted, Canada is full of snowy cities like Toronto and Vancouver, where Hallmark often films. But it's also a studio-friendly country during tax time: Hallmark saves a lot of money on tax breaks when it films there.
Are there really small towns like in Hallmark movies? ›While some of the movies may feature fictional towns, many have been shot in real-life locations that are just as charming as they seem on TV — and would make for the perfect destination to ring in the holidays for true Hallmark lovers.
Why do so many Christmas movies take place in Chicago? ›“Chicago is always portrayed as salt-of-the-earth, down-to-earth and easy-going in a way that other big cities are not,” he says, adding that film characters tend to be portrayed as “stable at the centre in a world that's going crazy around them”.
What station did a lot of Hallmark actors move to? ›Many former Hallmark Channel stars have moved over to GAC.
Why are all Hallmark shows filmed in Canada? ›Keeping the bottom line in mind, the most compelling reasons to shoot in Canada are the generous exchange rate and bountiful tax credits. That means Hallmark is able to spend considerably less for a festive location with an existing filmmaking infrastructure available for use.
What Hallmark actress has been in the most Hallmark movies? ›Having 30 Hallmark movies to her name, Lacey Chabert – known for her roles on “Party of Five” and “Mean Girls” – has been called the “Queen of Hallmark Movies,” something the actress takes as a compliment.
How much does Hallmark pay for a script? ›Hallmark pays around $50,000 to $60,000 per script (plus residuals) on movies generally budgeted around $2 million to $2.5 million. In-demand writers like the Dobrofskys can earn a little more. “They pay on time,” says Neal.
Where are the Aurora Teagarden filmed? ›Where is Aurora Teagarden Mysteries filmed? The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries are filmed in Canada in and around Vancouver, British Columbia.
Why are so many Hallmark movies filmed in British Columbia? ›
B.C.'s moderate weather and tax incentives make it a popular place to film the made-for-TV movies.
Is the snow real in Hallmark Christmas movies? ›Mapleton, Utah
For once, the snow in the movie is real—according to Deseret News, it snowed throughout the film's production!
The movie was actually filmed in Cleveland, Ohio and Toronto, Ontario. The house from the movie is located just outside of downtown Cleveland and the Higbee building still stands in downtown Cleveland. The Christmas tree shopping scene and many of the inside shots of the house, were filmed in Toronto, Ontario .