Photos and screengrabs: Crown Media

It may be October, but haul out the holly because Christmas has officially hit the Hallmark Channel!

Candace Cameron Bure hosted the annual Countdown to Christmas Preview Special last night where she gave viewers a super sneak peek at some of the movies premiering during the 2020 Countdown to Christmas lineup, and guess what, the holiday programming begins NEXT WEEK! You read that right, Hallmark Channel will kick off their festive slate on Friday, October 23rd with the first premiere, “Jingle Bell Bride” starring Julie Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe Jr., rolling out on Saturday, October 24th at 8pm/7c!  Candace will also star in a brand-new movie, “If I Only Had Christmas” that premieres during the 7 Night Thanksgiving Event, which she will host as well.

The elegantly decorated location for the special was gorgeous, and Candace looked stunning in her red half-bow dress (get more details on her Festive Fashion here). I also really loved the way she introduced each film by picking up a giant ornament featuring the move title written on the bauble, and then placed it on the tree. So sweet. Check out the movies Candace previewed for us below!

“Jingle Bell Bride”
Premieres: October 24

“This all new Hallmark Channel original centers around the rarest Christmas bloom of all. Julie Gonzalo plays Jessica, a celebrity wedding planner who embarks to a remote Alaskan town in search of the elusive Jingle Bell Flower for her famous brides bouquet. This rural hunt brings to her to a handsome and helpful botanist, Matt, played by Ronnie Rowe Jr. Matt’s a big resistant at first, but Jessica’s steadfast commitment to pulling off her brides dream wedding gets him to open up. Maybe a new relationship will blossom this Christmas?”

“Christmas Waltz”
Premieres: November 28

“It’s the holiday season and love is in the air, that is except for the star of this next movie, Avery, played by Lacey Chabert. Avery finds herself single one month before her storybook Christmas wedding; her fiancé leaves for a job offer in Boston, and Avery is left cancelling all the bookings they made for the big day…including a series of private ballroom lessons for her wedding dance. That’s when Roman, the handsome and passionate instructor, played by Will Kemp, encourages her to take the lessons herself.”

 
“Christmas with the Darlings”
Premieres: November 8

“Executive assistant, Jessica, played by Katrina Law, is ready to move onto the next chapter in her life … pursuing a career as a lawyer, so she puts in her final notice at work and that’s when she’s talked into helping her boss’ younger brother, Max, played by Carlos Marks. Max has recently taken in his orphan nieces and nephew, so he and Jessica work together to help the children enjoy their first New England Christmas.”

 
“One Royal Holiday”
Premieres: October 31

“This romantic holiday tale is bound to sweep you off your feet just in time for Christmas! It’s the story of a nurse, Anna, played by Laura Osnes, who offers a helping hand and a place to stay to a mother and son who have been suddenly stranded by an unexpected blizzard. Little does Anna know is that this mother and son are actually the royal family of Galwick. That’s right, a real life Queen and a handsome Prince are staying at her father’s B&B. As Anna and Prince James, played by Aaron Tveit, get to know one another, the royal family’s stay keeps getting extended.”

“Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater”
Premieres: November 7

“This festive holiday tale starts off with a bang, literally. Single-mom Maggie, played by Ashley Williams, first meets successful architect Lucas, played by Niall Matter, at a local park, but their second run-in, this time at a Christmas tree lot, is a bit more impactful when Maggie crashes into Lucas with her Christmas tree. Lucas is injured and has to cancel his ski trip to Aspen, meanwhile Maggie’s daughter will be visiting her father over the holidays, so this will be Maggie’s first Christmas alone. Anxious to make amends, Maggie invites Lucas to recuperate at her guest house; a king gesture that, unbeknownst to them, could be the start of a beautiful relationship”

 
“A Nashville Christmas Carol”
Premieres: November 21

“This holiday movie re-imagines the Dickens classic, ‘A Christmas Carol’, but it’s a different spin on an old tale. Jessy Schram plays Vivian, a workaholic TV producer in charge of a Country music-themed Christmas special. Vivian never lets personal feelings get in the way of business, but finds these boundaries tested with the return of Gavin Chase, played by Wes Brown, her former childhood sweetheart and manager to the specials showcase performer. Vivian is ready to pack up those painful memories and take a new job in LA until one night the ghost of her recently deceased mentor appears; her mentor warns her that soon she’ll be visited by some time-jumping spirits. With a star-studded cast that also features Wynonna Judd, Sara Evans, Kix Brooks, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley.”

“Christmas in Vienna”
Premieres:  November 14

“One of the things I love about Christmas is that it’s celebrated all over the world, and there are so many beautifully unique ways to ring in the season. Hallmark Channel has a long tradition of bringing us to spectacular new locals every Christmas, and this year is no different, which brings me to this wonderful new Christmas movie starring Sarah Drew as Jess, a concert violinist whose heart just isn’t in it anymore. Jess goes to Vienna over the holidays for a performance, but thanks to the handsome and charming Mark, played by Brennan Elliott, she finds so much more.”

“A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado”
Premieres: November 24

“This next movie brings us to the snow-covered hills of Brooklyn… Brooklyn, Colorado, that is. Rochelle Aytes plays Erin, a community development director in the throes of planning the towns much-publicized centennial Christmas celebration, the only problem? Erin still doesn’t have the centerpiece Christmas tree. That’s where firefighter Kevin, played by Mark Taylor, comes into the picture.”
 

“A Timeless Christmas”
Premieres: November 15

“The past meets the future in this lighthearted holiday tale. Charles Whitely, played by Ryan Paevey, has always been intrigued by the future when he works on a mysterious Christmas clock that he purchased at auction, he’s transported from 1903 to the 21st century. In the present day we meet Erin Cahill, who plays Megan, a tour guide at the beautiful Whitley Mansion. She tells the guests about Charles, a man who rose from poverty to wealth only to mysteriously disappear in 1903. During her tour, the real Charles Whitley enters, confused to find his home decorated for Christmas and filled with strangers.”
 

“The Christmas House”
Premieres: November 22

“One of the most important aspects of Christmas is family, I know spending time with my family is one of the things I love most about the holidays. That’s why I’m so excited about this all-new original movie, because family is the heart and soul of this holiday tale. Robert Buckley stars–and the story is actually inspired by Robert’s family growing up; he plays Mike Wade, a TV star who upon learning that his hit show Handsome Justice, has been canceled just before the holidays, suddenly finds himself alone.

So, when Mike’s parents, played by Sharon Lawrence and Treat Williams, ask him to come back home early for the holidays to help bring back a revered family tradition, Mike eagerly accepts the opportunity to return to the place where he’s always felt most at home. The family’s all back together to reconstruct the Christmas house, a top-to-toe total overhaul of their house; from a regular home to an indoor/outdoor Christmas wonderland for the community to enjoy. Mike is also reunited with his high school sweetheart–the literal girl next door, Andie, played by Ana Ayora. Will the holidays rekindle that old flame?”

“On the 12th Date of Christmas”
Premieres: November 1

“Mallory Jansen plays Jennifer, a game creator for Chicago’s unique scavenger company. This holiday season she’s unexpectedly teamed up with her not-so-collaborative colleague, Aiden, played by Tyler Hynes. Together, they have to land a huge new client Devonshire Hotels. Devonshire wants a ’12 Dates of Christmas’ scavenger hunt; Aidan is a brilliant game creator, but also a man stuck in a routine. Meanwhile, the client loves Jennifer’s spontaneous ideas and abundance of energy. Will these two opposites figure out how to work together and win the big account, which could propel their careers forward? Well, they better do it fast, because they’re up against a tough deadline… Christmas Eve.”

“Good Morning Christmas!”
Premieres: November 25

“This Christmas movie will fill your heart and tickle your funny bone; it follows Melissa Merry and Brian Bright, played by Alison Sweeney and Marc Blucas, as America’s favorte hosts of the top-rated morning talk show, Today with Bright and Merry. What America doesn’t know is that Melissa and Brian can not stand to be in the same room with one another. Will a week of filming on location in the charming town of Mistletoe bring them together? There’s only one way to find out.”

“Chateau Christmas”
Premieres: October 25

“Music is one of my favorite parts of Christmas–yes, I could listen to Christmas music all year long, which is why I love musically-charged Christmas movies like our next film. Merritt Patterson plays Margot, a world-famous pianist, who for the first time in many years gets to spend Christmas with her family at the chateau. That’s where she’s unexpectedly reunite with ex-flame Jackson, played by Luke MacFarlane. Margot has been feeling uninspired in her musical career lately, but maybe working with Jackson on the chateaus first-annual Christmas concert, will be the perfect thing to lift her spirits.”

“If I Only Had Christmas”
Premieres: November 29

“I am so excited to finally tell you about my next Christmas movie. We had so much fun making it! The cast and crew are amazing, plus it takes a little inspiration from one of my favorite childhood stories. See if you can figure out which one. My character, Darcy, is a cheerful and charismatic Kansas City publicist who ventures to New England to do some pro bono work with the Emerald Educational Trust; it’s a wonderful organization that helps provide school supplies to students and teachers in need. It could also be a stepping stone to an even bigger opportunity, but only if she can win over hard-nose business exec Glenn, played by Warren Christie.”

Note: All air-dates are subject to change.
 

Watch the full special on HallmarkChannelEverywhere.com! (expires 10.21.2020)

 
Stay merry!