Hallmark’s ‘Countdown To Christmas’ Begins – Premiere Dates Revealed For 3 New Movies

Hallmark is unwrapping its 2026 holiday lineup with Lacey Chabert at Walt Disney World, a Chicago Bears romance and a return to the Biltmore Estate.

By Nmesoma Okechukwu

Hallmark Channel Releases Premiere Dates For Three Movies In Their ‘Countdown to Christmas’ Slate

Hallmark Channel has consistently been gifting fans the magic they need to survive every season. Whether it’s July – remember Christmas in July? – or October – Halloween anyone? – Hallmark has got something special for us all. 

Of course they’re not going to let us down when it counts. Imagine having a Christmas in July lineup with four brand new movies, and not have something special planned for December? No sir. Not Hallmark Channel. 

In fact, they’re already giving us a tease of what we can expect when the “most wonderful time of the year” rolls in. 

Key Takeaways

  • Hallmark is teasing its 2026 Christmas movie slate
  • Lacey Chabert stars in a Disney World holiday movie
  • Holiday Touchdown mixes romance and football
  • Biltmore Estate returns for another Christmas story
  • More holiday programming is expected to be announced

What We Know About ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Bear’s Love Story’

For years, we have been celebrating the magic of the season with movies that remind us of love, family and the beautiful act of giving.

Set to premiere on Oct. 17, Hallmark’s ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Bear’s Love Story’ brings together these sentiments for a truly heartwarming, community-fueled story. 

Per the description, Robert Buckley will play “Matt, a Chicago firefighter who has been trying to get local media to do a story about his grandmother (Mason), who is about to attend her 500th Bears game.” Lyndsay Fonseca will star alongside Buckley as Avery, a reporter assigned to cover the story. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Fonseca described the movie as having “a little bit of love and football.”

Lacey Chabert’s ‘Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True’ Gets A Premiere Date

Lacey Chabert is becoming to the Christmas movie world what Mariah Carey is to the Christmas song world. 

Coming out of her Hallmark series special ‘Paris is Always a Good Idea,’ Chabert returns in this magical blend of holiday cheer and Disney entertainment.

Filmed at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Chabert stars alongside Travis Van Winkle, Christy Carlson Romano, Justin Bruening, and Richard Kind. It will premiere at 8 pm on Nov. 28. 

Chabert giddily shared the news in a video clip that sees her looking beautiful in a golden gown, with the Disney Park serving as a backdrop. Mickey and Minnie also put in an appearance at the very beginning of the clip. 

What We Know About ‘A Grand Biltmore Christmas’

Another movie in Hallmark Channel’s recently released slate is ‘A Grand Biltmore Christmas,’ which is set to premiere on Saturday, December 5 at 8/7c. 

Filmed at the historic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, the second Biltmore movie finely blends time travel with romance. It stars Holland Roden, Niall Matter, Andie MacDowell, and Jonathan Frakes. 

The full program slate is set to be released mid-September. 

‎Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Hallmark Channel right now. Come back here often for all Hallmark Channel spoilers, news, and updates. 

Nmesoma Okechukwu

    Nmesoma Okechukwu is a journalist, editor, author and poet. On a good day you can find her scouring the internet for the latest trending topic or dreaming about guys that can turn into dragons within a moment's notice. She sings, rather loudly, and dances whenever she's in the mood, which can literally happen anytime. Nmeso writes about celebrity pop culture, the British Royal Family, charities, news from underrepresented people that need to be heard, and has strong opinions about environmental issues. She's currently into Chinese mythology and believes in the healing magic of kindness.