There’s something reliably comforting about Hallmark Christmas movies that keeps us coming back for more. Sure, they tend to follow a formula—big-city girl returns home, meets a flannel-wearing baker/lumberjack/festival organizer, falls in love amid snowflakes—but we love them for exactly that reason. The towns are always twinkling, the hot cocoa is bottomless, and there’s always a little Christmas miracle waiting at the end.
But what if you could bring that magic into your real life? What if, instead of just watching a Hallmark holiday, you lived one?
This year, skip a cookie-cutter Christmas and create a festive escape inspired by your favorite made-for-TV romance. Here’s how to add a little Hallmark magic to your holiday plans:
Stay at a Cozy Inn
In nearly every Hallmark Christmas movie, there’s a charming inn at the center of the story. Whether it’s owned by the heroine’s family, an estranged love interest, or a mysterious stranger who needs help bringing it back to life, the inn is where the magic happens.
So, this year, pass on the standard hotel chain or vacation rental and book a stay at a picturesque bed-and-breakfast or historic inn that looks like it belongs on a movie set or actually was on a movie set!
Try this:
- If you’re heading to New England, book a room at The Inn at Woodstock Hill in Connecticut—better known to Hallmark fans as the Kentsbury Inn from “One Royal Holiday.” The inn’s colonial architecture and storybook setting make it perfect for a snowy, candle-lit retreat.
- Craving a wintry escape with a Hallmark-Alaska vibe but don’t want to fly that far north? Head to Huntsville, UT, and stay at the Compass Rose Lodge. It doubled as the Garland Inn in “A Cozy Christmas Inn” and offers planetarium shows, on-site roasted coffee, and those quaint small-town vibes you know and love.
- It wouldn’t be a Hallmark Christmas movie experience without wintry weather, so be sure to pack a chunky knit sweater and some flannel. You may need it for spontaneous snowball fights!
Decorate the Perfect Christmas Tree
Name a Hallmark Christmas movie that doesn’t include a tree-decorating scene. I’ll wait.
Whether it’s a nostalgic family tradition or a tradition you want to start, selecting a tree and decorating it is a pivotal moment of connection in Hallmark world. You can bring this tradition to life by making your tree selection and decorating a memorable experience, not just a task.
Try This:
- In the Bay Area, you can rent a live Christmas tree from a sustainable tree farm. They’ll deliver the potted tree to your home or vacation rental and pick it up after the holidays to be replanted in their nursery. It’s eco-friendly and movie-worthy.
- For a quintessential New England experience, visit Bethlehem, New Hampshire (yes, that Bethlehem). Participating inns near The Rocks Estate offer “Christmas Memory” packages that include cutting your own tree from the farm, festive horse-drawn carriage rides, and handcrafted wreaths. It’s like stepping straight into the climax of a holiday movie.
- To make it a truly special experience, bring along handmade ornaments or meaningful decorations to turn it into a personal tradition – a little bit of home in your “Hallmark movie home.”
Visit a Christmas Market
If Hallmark movies taught us anything, it’s that love can be found over a hot drink and a festive treat at a local Christmas market. While European destinations like Vienna and Strasbourg may be the gold standard, you don’t need a passport to feel like you’re wandering through a festive fairytale.
Try This:
- Christkindl Market at Daley Plaza in the heart of downtown Chicago is one of the most authentic German-style holiday markets in the United States. Visitors can stroll through rows of charming wooden vendor stalls offering handcrafted ornaments, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, and other traditional German goods. Savor holiday treats like schnitzel, strudel, roasted nuts, and of course, hot glühwein served in signature collectible mugs that change each year. It’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience a Hallmark-style market with true European charm.
- Christmas Village in Philadelphia transforms LOVE Park and City Hall into a sparkling holiday wonderland each winter, complete with over 110 vendors in wooden booths offering everything from handmade jewelry and winter wear to festive home décor and gourmet European treats. The market also boasts a festively lit Christmas tree, appearances by Christkind (the traditional gift-bringer in German folklore), and themed events for families and kids. It’s the perfect blend of old-world tradition and modern holiday magic.
- For a more American Christmas Market experience, head to Savannah, GA. Set in the Plant Riverside District, this market combines the elegance of Savannah’s historic architecture with festive Southern flair. Stroll past vendor stalls offering hand-poured candles, Georgia-made treats, Lowcountry ornaments, and artisan gifts. The market features nightly snowfall, holiday-themed performances, and a towering riverside tree—plus visits from Santa and a gingerbread village display inside the JW Marriott. It’s a festive way to enjoy the holidays, Savannah-style.
There are so many markets around the country, but wherever you go, make sure to pick up some handmade ornaments and sweet treats to take home as a keepsake or gift to the other Hallmark Christmas-movie lover in your life.
Add These Bonus Hallmark Moments
If you want to go full Hallmark main character, there are a few more things you’ll need to check off your list:
- Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: Whether it’s through a small-town square or a snowy forest, nothing says romance like a carriage ride with cozy blankets and falling snow. Many towns offer holiday carriage or sleigh rides during the holiday season.
- Attend a Tree-Lighting Ceremony or Town Festival: In Hallmark movies, the town festival is always where something magical happens—usually a kiss, a heartfelt speech, or a dramatic snowstorm. Look for local Christmas festivals, tree-lighting ceremonies, or holiday parades. They’re often free, incredibly festive, and full of community spirit.
- Volunteer or Give Back: Hallmark protagonists are always rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas, and that often involves giving back to the community. Whether you help serve meals, donate to a toy drive, or volunteer at a shelter, incorporating some goodwill into your holiday getaway makes it more meaningful—and more magical.
- Be the Star of Your Own Christmas Movie: Just imagine: A few weeks from now, you could be sipping mulled wine in a charming town square, decorating a tree with your loved ones, or bundled up on a snowy carriage ride as the bells of a distant church ring through the cold night air. Sounds like the final scene of a Hallmark movie, doesn’t it?
Creating your own Hallmark Christmas vacation doesn’t require a movie set. It just takes a little imagination, a few festive touches, and a willingness to say yes to the season. From cozy inns and carriage rides to tree farms and market strolls, the holiday magic is out there waiting for you.
And remember—your Hallmark moment doesn’t need to be perfect to be magical. Whether it’s snowy or sunny, solo or surrounded by loved ones, the real magic of the season comes from slowing down, being present, and letting yourself believe in holiday miracles.
So, which Hallmark-inspired experience are you adding to your holiday list this year? Let me know in the comments!
