Yes—many Hallmark holiday movies use real, visitable places, but the town on screen may be fictional and the filmed setting may be only part of a movie. These nine destinations range from ski resorts and cities to a historic estate and a Connecticut-wide trail. Some are documented filming locations; others are included for their festive atmosphere. Seasonal lights, skating, and snow are not guaranteed, so check local schedules before planning around an event.
How to read this list
A Hallmark movie’s storybook town is not necessarily the place where it was filmed. The locations below distinguish named filming connections from places recommended for their seasonal feel. This is also not a list of nine small towns: it includes cities, mountain destinations, an estate, and a multi-town route.
![HALLMARK HOLIDAY COLLECTION: CHRISTMAS [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51TVNzo8BSL._SL160_.jpg)
1. Vail, Colorado
Movie connection
Winter in Vail (2020) was partially filmed in Vail. The resort’s Bavarian-inspired architecture gives Vail Village a distinctly festive look, but the film’s story and every scene should not be assumed to represent an unchanged real-world set.
What to do
Vail Village and Lionshead have seasonal skating rinks, and the area is known for skiing. Rink access and seasonal programming vary; check current resort schedules before making them the centerpiece of a trip.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
2. Calgary, Alberta
Movie connection
Calgary served as a backdrop for Meet Me at Christmas (2020). Keep it distinct from nearby Banff: A Winter Getaway (2021) is associated with Banff, a separate destination.
What to do
Seasonal options highlighted in Calgary include Zoo Lights at the Calgary Zoo, the outdoor ice trail at Bowness Park, and decorated residential areas. Check event dates, access, and operating conditions for your travel year.
3. Wilmington, North Carolina
Movie connection
Wilmington appears in Christmas in Conway (2013), USS Christmas (2020), and Christmas in Harmony (2021).
Rank #2
- Screenwriter Lucy is hired to write the script for the remake of the beloved holiday movie, His Merry Wife, that was shot on location at the beautiful Biltmore Estate. When she tips over an hourglass during a tour of the estate, she finds herself transported back in time to 1947.
What to do
The riverwalk is a place to look for holiday lights, while the Burgwin-Wright House has hosted a holiday open house. Confirm dates and admission details with the venues; seasonal offerings can change.
4. Vancouver, British Columbia
Movie connection
Vancouver locations appear in Magic in Mistletoe and Christmas on Cherry Lane, both released in 2023.
What to do
For a winter outing, look into skating at Robson Square and the downtown tree-lighting event. Neither should be treated as a year-round attraction or assumed to be scheduled on the same dates each season; check current event information.
Rank #3
5. Asheville and Biltmore, North Carolina
Movie connection
A Biltmore Christmas (2023) was filmed at Biltmore. The estate identifies Biltmore House, the Gardens, Conservatory, and Inn on Biltmore Estate among the filming locations. The production filmed at the estate for 15 days in January 2023. Biltmore says 300 Asheville-area residents were hired as extras and that the production received more than 8,000 casting applications; the estate attributes the characterization of that application total as a record to Hallmark producers.
What to do
Biltmore is a real estate open to visitors, and its annual holiday decorating is a separate seasonal experience. Floral manager Lizzie Whitcher described the estate’s yearly decorations this way: “We decorate Biltmore sumptuously and uniquely every year for all our guests; turns out that isn’t much different than decorating a movie set.” Film-related displays noted by Biltmore were temporary and appeared during the 2023 Christmas season, so do not expect those specific displays to remain. Check Biltmore’s current visitor information for admission, lodging, and holiday dates.
Recommended Free Tools
6. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Movie connection
Christmas at Dollywood (2019) brings the story to Pigeon Forge, home to Dollywood.
Rank #4
- Genre: TV Drama
- Number of Discs: 2
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 517
- Rating: NR
What to do
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is a seasonal festival, and the town has promoted a free Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail. The park’s calendar, ticket requirements, and event details can change. Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, described the festival as featuring Christmas lights, shows, food, and rides; that is a local tourism official’s description, not an independent assessment. Check Dollywood and town sources for current details.
7. Whistler, British Columbia
Movie connection
Chateau Christmas (2020) used Whistler as its backdrop.
What to do
Whistler’s village offers a festive mountain-resort setting. The Mallard Lounge at Fairmont Chateau Whistler is another option for visitors seeking a château-like holiday atmosphere. Check venue hours and seasonal programming directly, particularly if a specific event is part of your plan.
Best Value
- Brand: Punto
- Candace Cameron Bure: 4 Movies Collection (Wm)
- Brand: Hallmark
8. Connecticut’s holiday-movie trail
Movie connection
Connecticut is a multi-location itinerary, not one movie town. Destinations identified across several productions include Hartford, Stonington, Norwich, Mystic, Colchester, Waterford, New London, North Haven, Hamden, and Branford. The state tourism map is a 2024 trail document; look for an updated official map before using it to plan a current trip.
What to do
Build a route around the towns and locations that interest you rather than expecting one compact, walkable destination. The Associated Press reported in December 2025 that Connecticut was promoting a trail and that at least 22 holiday films by Hallmark, Lifetime, and other producers had been shot in the state. That figure is not a count of Hallmark films alone. AP also reported a sold-out, weeklong commercial fan tour using the trail map; that report does not establish ongoing tour availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.9. Bardstown, Kentucky
Movie connection
Bardstown is included for its holiday atmosphere and as a production location. A 2025 roundup described two holiday movies as filming there at the time; that is a time-sensitive report, not confirmation of their current production or release status.
What to do
The roundup points visitors to Bardstown’s holiday decorations and Christmas parade, as well as the Christmas Carnival at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Verify the current event calendar, dates, and access information before traveling.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Choosing a destination for your trip
| Destination | Documented movie connection | Trip focus | Useful planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vail | Winter in Vail (2020), partially filmed there | Ski resort, village, seasonal skating | Check rink and resort schedules. |
| Calgary | Meet Me at Christmas (2020) | City lights and outdoor ice trail | Banff, associated with a different film, is a separate destination. |
| Wilmington | Three named films, from 2013 to 2021 | Riverwalk and historic-house holiday events | Confirm venue event dates. |
| Vancouver | Two named films, both 2023 | Downtown skating and tree lighting | Check current event schedules. |
| Asheville / Biltmore | A Biltmore Christmas (2023), filmed at the estate | Historic estate and seasonal decorations | Specific film displays mentioned for 2023 were temporary. |
| Pigeon Forge | Christmas at Dollywood (2019) | Theme-park festival and town walking trail | Check park calendar and ticket requirements. |
| Whistler | Chateau Christmas (2020) | Mountain village and hotel lounge | Confirm venue hours and seasonal offerings. |
| Connecticut | Multiple productions across several towns | Statewide, multi-stop trail | Use a current official map; film count includes multiple producers. |
| Bardstown | Holiday productions were reported filming in 2025 | Decorations, parade, and state park event | Verify production and event status for your travel year. |
If a particular movie location matters most, choose one of the destinations with a named filming connection and confirm the exact site before booking. If the goal is simply a festive setting, compare travel distance and seasonal events first: a city outing, a ski-resort stay, an estate visit, and a multi-town drive are very different kinds of trips. In every case, treat holiday schedules as seasonal, not guaranteed.
A separate Hallmark event in Kansas City
Hallmark’s 2026 Hallmark Christmas Experience is a branded seasonal event in Kansas City, not one of the nine destinations in the 2025 roundup. Hallmark’s planning page says it runs Friday through Sunday on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The outdoor Square is free to enter; the Light Walk and Ice Terrace require tickets, while indoor programming, shows, workshops, meals, and packages have additional ticketing. Confirm dates, availability, and prices with Hallmark before booking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
