12 Real-Life Hallmark Christmas Towns You Can Visit This Holiday Season

There’s something magical about Hallmark Christmas movies. The cozy main streets, twinkling lights, gentle snowfall, and warm sense of community they portray often leave us wondering: Are these towns real? The answer is yes — many of them are filmed in real locations that transform into festive wonderlands each December.

Whether you dream of sipping hot cocoa by a roaring fire, wandering through streets lined with garlands, or shopping in quaint boutiques with carolers singing in the background, these Hallmark-inspired destinations offer the perfect holiday getaway. To make your experience even cozier, pair your travels with the comforting glow of a seasonal soy candle like the Reading by the Fire Soy Candle – Chai + Cream + Chestnut, which evokes the exact warmth you’d expect from a holiday escape.

In this guide, we’ll explore 14 real-life Hallmark Christmas movie towns across the U.S. and Canada, each bursting with festive cheer and holiday charm.

Chester, Vermont: A Hallmark-Perfect New England Christmas

Chester, Vermont, provided the backdrop for Hallmark’s Moonlight & Mistletoe (2008). With its historic train station, Victorian inns, and boutique-filled streets, Chester embodies everything you’d expect from a Hallmark Christmas setting.

During December, Chester transforms into a festive dreamscape. You’ll find:

  • A sparkling Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

  • Santa’s Mailbox, where children can drop their holiday wishes.

  • Free cocoa and cookies served with small-town charm.

  • Holiday buffets and a special visit from Santa himself.

For a romantic retreat, stay at the Inn Victoria, which offers a Christmas package complete with hearty dinners and holiday extras.

If you’re cozying up at home instead of traveling, light the Snowed In & Reading Soy Candle – Peppermint + Spice + Honey + Tea. Its warm and spicy notes capture the nostalgic essence of a Vermont holiday evening.

Nevada City, California: Victorian Christmas Charm

Nestled in Northern California’s Gold Rush Country, Nevada City is a historic town that comes alive in December with its Victorian Christmas celebration. This festive market features gas lamp-lit streets, chestnuts roasting, Victorian carolers, artisan vendors, and a towering 25-foot Christmas tree.

Hallmark fans may recognize it from The Christmas Card (2006), which was filmed right here. Visitors can stay at the National Exchange Hotel, a restored 1856 property with elegant rooms and a swanky cocktail bar.

Holiday tip: Sip hot buttered rum while strolling the streets for a truly cinematic feel.

Back at home, you can recreate Nevada City’s cozy energy with the Cozy Reads Soy Candle – Lavender + Eucalyptus + Citrus. Its calming notes bring the same relaxation you’d feel after a day exploring artisan stalls and holiday parades.


Richmond, British Columbia: The Winter Village of Steveston

Richmond, just south of Vancouver, is home to Steveston, a fishing village that served as the backdrop for Hallmark’s Hope at Christmas (2018). The town is just minutes from the Vancouver airport but feels worlds away with its boardwalks, parks, and historic sites.

During the holidays, Steveston hosts Winter in the Village, a community-wide festival featuring:

  • A festival of decorated Christmas trees.

  • A festive parade (including a dog parade).

  • Holiday markets, Santa’s arrival by boat, and carriage rides.

Stay at the luxurious Fairmont Vancouver Airport, which offers cookie-decorating kits and even the option to have a Christmas tree in your room.

To bring Steveston’s coastal charm home, try the The Garden Shed Library Soy Candle – Pine + Peppermint + Snowy Air. Its crisp scent perfectly mirrors the cool, refreshing air of a seaside village at Christmastime.


LaGrange, Georgia: A Southern Holiday Wonderland

LaGrange, Georgia, about 70 miles from Atlanta, shines as a charming small-town Christmas destination. Featured in A Perfect Christmas Pairing (2023), LaGrange’s Lafayette Square becomes the centerpiece of festivities with ice skating, holiday markets, and dazzling storefronts.

Festive highlights include:

  • Outdoor skating rinks.

  • Holiday markets filled with local crafts.

  • Tree lightings and parades.

Stay at the Courtyard by Marriott LaGrange, which overlooks the holiday festivities, or head to Great Wolf Lodge for a Snowland experience complete with a cocoa bar inside a snow globe.

If you’re spending Christmas closer to home, the Cozy Weather Soy Candle – Autumn Sage + Cashmere + Almond Milk brings the same warm, comforting embrace as a stroll through LaGrange’s decorated streets.


Kansas City, Missouri: Where Hallmark Magic Begins

Kansas City isn’t a small town, but as the headquarters of Hallmark, it’s at the heart of Hallmark’s Christmas spirit. The city recently starred in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story (2024), and during December, it becomes one of the most festive urban holiday destinations in the U.S.

Holiday highlights include:

  • The dazzling Country Club Plaza lights.

  • Ice skating at the Crown Center Ice Terrace.

  • Union Station’s Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village.

  • Drive-through light experiences like Winter Magic.

For the ultimate Hallmark experience, book the Hallmark Christmas Experience Package at The Westin Kansas City, which overlooks the city’s grand Christmas tree.

At home, light the Reading by the Fire Soy Candle – Chai + Cream + Chestnut. Its warm and spiced aroma is perfect for watching your favorite Hallmark movies — especially if you’re rooting for a holiday romance.

 

Collierville, Tennessee: Small-Town Gazebo Magic

Collierville, Tennessee, about 30 miles outside Memphis, made an appearance in Hallmark’s Wedding at Graceland (2019). Its Town Square, complete with a bandstand gazebo and historic shops, feels like the quintessential Hallmark Christmas backdrop.

Holiday festivities include horse-drawn carriage rides, boutique shopping, and tree-lighting ceremonies. Visitors can also head to Memphis to experience over-the-top holiday fun at Big Cypress Lodge, which hosts Christmas cocktails, themed movies, and Santa’s workshop.

For your own holiday nostalgia, pair Collierville’s charm with the Snowed In & Reading Soy Candle – Peppermint + Spice + Honey + Tea. The mix of peppermint and spice will make you feel like you’re sipping cocoa beneath the gazebo lights.

Calgary, Alberta: A Canadian Holiday Capital

Calgary, Alberta, has hosted many Hallmark films, including Meet Me at Christmas (2020). The city blends big-city sophistication with small-town holiday warmth, especially at Heritage Park, where many festive events take place.

Seasonal activities include:

  • A Christmas market filled with artisan vendors.

  • Horse-drawn wagon rides through historical villages.

  • Gingerbread cookie decorating.

  • A winter maze and Christmas musicals.

For a luxurious stay, book the Fairmont Palliser Calgary, which offers a “Home Alone 2 – Lost in Calgary” package — complete with limo rides, Christmas lights, and indulgent sundaes.

If you’d rather create your own Calgary-inspired Christmas at home, the Cozy Weather Soy Candle – Autumn Sage + Cashmere + Almond Milk wraps you in the same cozy spirit of snowy evenings and twinkling lights.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Dolly Parton’s Christmas Wonderland

Pigeon Forge is synonymous with Dolly Parton, whose Dollywood theme park transforms into a Smoky Mountain Christmas spectacular during the holidays. Hallmark’s Christmas at Dollywood (2019) was filmed here, and Dolly herself even makes an appearance in the movie.

Visitors can enjoy:

  • Over 6 million holiday lights.

  • Dozens of themed Christmas trees.

  • Santa’s Village and holiday musicals.

  • Sweet holiday treats and warm cocoa.

Stay at the Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa, which offers the Christmas Tree Decor Package — complete with cookies, ornaments, and even a letter from Santa’s elves.

At home, capture Dollywood’s magic with the The Garden Shed Library Soy Candle – Pine + Peppermint + Snowy Air. Its refreshing notes bring to mind a crisp winter night surrounded by glowing lights.

Squamish, British Columbia: A Snowy Mountain Escape

About 40 miles north of Vancouver lies Squamish, a cozy town nestled in the Coast Mountains. Hallmark fans may know it from Christmas Cookies (2016), a story about finding holiday magic in an unexpected place. Squamish delivers that same wonder in real life with snow-dusted peaks, charming streets, and festive attractions.

Highlights include:

  • The North Pole Express, a magical Christmas train ride.

  • The Sea to Sky Gondola, which offers breathtaking snowy views and a decorated forest walk.

  • Holiday shopping in small boutiques and artisan markets.

For comfortable stays, you can book the Sandman Hotel & Suites Squamish or the Executive Suites Hotel & Resort, both offering mountain views and cozy amenities.

At home, recreate Squamish’s snowy mountain vibes with the Cozy Reads Soy Candle – Lavender + Eucalyptus + Citrus. Its refreshing yet calming scent evokes the peaceful feeling of walking through a snowy alpine forest.


Cincinnati, Ohio: Big-City Christmas with a Small-Town Feel

Cincinnati may not be a tiny Hallmark village, but it still has plenty of holiday magic. The city starred in A Christmas Melody (2015), directed by none other than Mariah Carey.

Holiday highlights include:

  • The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo.

  • WinterFest at Kings Island amusement park.

  • Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland at Newport Aquarium.

  • European-inspired holiday markets just across the Kentucky border.

Stay at The Lytle Park Hotel or Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, which go all out with holiday décor and festive amenities.

Pair the festive Cincinnati bustle with the Reading by the Fire Soy Candle – Chai + Cream + Chestnut. Its spicy and creamy notes perfectly match the energy of a lively holiday city.

Farmington, Utah: A Christmas Tree Farm Dream

Farmington, Utah, served as the setting for Hallmark’s Christmas Land (2015). The story centered around a Christmas-themed village and tree farm, which fits Farmington’s own charming landscape perfectly.

Holiday highlights include:

  • Lagoon Park’s Pioneer Village, which looks straight out of a Hallmark script.

  • Station Park, a shopping and dining destination transformed into a festive wonderland with skating, light shows, and a Santa’s mailbox.

  • Snow-covered mountain backdrops ideal for holiday photos.

For accommodations, the Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Farmington/Station Park keeps you right in the heart of the festive action.

If you can’t make it to Utah, the Snowed In & Reading Soy Candle – Peppermint + Spice + Honey + Tea captures the cozy warmth of curling up after a snowy day spent among twinkling trees.

Vail, Colorado: A Winter Wonderland

Vail is famous for world-class skiing, but it also appeared in Hallmark’s Winter in Vail (2020). While some scenes were filmed in Calgary, Vail’s real-life alpine village setting and Bavarian-style streets offer plenty of cinematic magic.

Holiday highlights include:

  • Kringle Crossing Holiday Village, filled with festive activities.

  • Kris Kringle Market, where you’ll find European-inspired treats and crafts.

  • Fireworks, sleigh rides, and world-class winter sports.

The Sonnenalp Hotel adds even more Christmas spirit with sledding, ornament decorating, festive buffets, and visits from Santa.

At home, channel the alpine charm of Vail with the Cozy Weather Soy Candle – Autumn Sage + Cashmere + Almond Milk. Its soft, comforting notes are the perfect après-ski aroma.

Why These Towns Feel Like Home

What ties all these towns together is their ability to bring people together, slow down the holiday rush, and embrace the joy of the season. Whether it’s sipping cocoa in Vermont, skating in Georgia, or strolling through Vancouver’s light displays, these destinations capture the same magic we love in Hallmark movies.

For those who can’t travel to all 14 destinations, you can still bring the spirit home. Lighting one of Aarka Origins’ thoughtfully crafted soy candles — like the Reading by the Fire Soy Candle or the Snowed In & Reading Soy Candle — is an effortless way to infuse your space with that same cozy warmth.

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Final Thoughts

Visiting these Hallmark Christmas movie towns is like stepping into the screen — a chance to live out the festive magic we love watching each holiday season. From New England’s historic villages to Canada’s snowy landscapes, each destination offers lights, laughter, and timeless holiday traditions.

But even if travel isn’t on your calendar this year, you can still create your own Hallmark-inspired holiday at home. Brew a cup of tea, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, and let an Aarka Origins soy candle fill your home with seasonal comfort. Because no matter where you are, the heart of Christmas is found in warmth, togetherness, and the simple joy of slowing down.

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