Unlike other made-for-TV movies, Hallmark does a fantastic job of making every city or hometown seem idyllic and quaint. The locations used are much more than an address, the network brings the town to life with different seasonal aspects to transport the viewer into the story itself. And although these Hallmark movies are staged all over the world, the network has a few staple locations that they love working in.
According to Refinery29, Hallmark chooses certain locations that will be the cheapest for them and that will give them "tax incentives." Although Lacey Chabert and Candace Cameron Bure may claim they're in Pennsylvania or Tennessee, they could actually be in Canada or Vermont. To check out 10 popular filming locations that Hallmark uses, scroll below!
Updated on December 16th, 2021, by Lynn Gibbs: As soon as the cold weather hits, Hallmark lovers tune into the network to catch the newest holiday-related movie. Hallmark movies have a special essence about them that makes viewers feel warm and cozy when watching. It also doesn't hurt that some actors and actresses pop up in multiple Hallmark movies, gaining a following in multiple genres.
Aside from the cozy sweaters and romantic storylines, the other things that fans love about Hallmark movies are the picturesque towns. And since some of the towns have fictional names, fans would be interested to know where the movies are actually filmed.
Memphis, Tennessee
There's always anticipation around Hallmark's Christmas movies. Between the snow the loving storylines, these movies give fans hope. Christmas at Graceland was a Christmas movie filmed in Memphis, Tennessee at the one and only Graceland estate, noted The Pioneer Woman.
Another movie that was filmed in Tennessee was Christmas at Dollywood. Knox News noted that the exterior shots of Dollywood were filmed in Tennessee, but most of the movie was filmed in Winnipeg, Canada, believe it or not.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah is known for its diverse geographical location. There are outdoor wonders like mountains and lakes, but there's also a small-town charm throughout the actual city of Salt Lake. Heavy noted that the Hallmark movies Sister Swap: Christmas in the City Parts 1 & 2 were filmed in Utah. Although it was a holiday movie, production took place in the summer.
The site also noted that other Hallmark movies like Holly & Ivy and Sweet Pecan Summer were filmed around Salt Lake City, proving that Hallmark can't get enough of the charming ski village.
Small, Quaint Towns Throughout Connecticut
Most Hallmark movies had a few things in common, which proves that Hallmark has its storylines and tropes written down to a science because they never get old. With Hallmark obsessed with small-town charm or big city magic, filming in Connecticut is one of the best choices.
CT Visit wrote that Next Stop, Christmas was filmed throughout Connecticut in towns like Hartford and New Haven. Hallmark writer Julie Sherman Wolfe said this about Connecticut to CT Insider, "There’s something about fall and winter in Connecticut in particular that feels romantic." Films like One Royal Holiday, You, Me, & The Christmas Tree, and A Holiday in Harlem were also all filmed in Connecticut.
All Over Vermont
Some of the best storylines in Hallmark movies surround a cozy town surrounded by woods, like in Vermont. The state of Vermont seems like the perfect location for fall and winter Hallmark movies. With loads of outdoor space, hiking trails, and cozy towns, Vermont has the perfect backdrop for any scene Hallmark could ever need.
Movies like Moonlight & Mistletoe were filmed in towns like Chester and Bellow Falls, according to Scenes of Vermont. Funny enough, sometimes Hallmark movies will claim they're based in Vermont but will actually be filmed in different parts of Canada.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Canada has 10 provinces and three territories throughout the country and Hallmark takes advantage of many of them. Based in British Columbia, Hallmark loves shooting movies and scenes in Vancouver. From Valentine's Day meet-cutes to Christmas tree farms, Vancouver can be the backdrop for any holiday.
According to Tourism Vancouver, the city has been Hallmark's background for 60 films every single year. Movies like Hope at Christmas, Christmas Joy, and Road to Christmas have all been filmed throughout Vancouver's many magical locations.
Atlanta, Georgia
Hallmark doesn't just film up north, they also film down south too. Hallmark loves filming in the south when it's time for fall, summer, and spring-themed movies. The state of Georgia has been a popular location for Hallmark over the years, filming in Atlanta, Dahlonega, and Tybee Island.
The Watsons Go to Bimington is a movie that's based in Binmington, Alabama but was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, according to Southern Living. Likewise, Valentine's Day-themed movie, The Lost Valentine, was also filmed in Atlanta and starred famed actresses, Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. It wasn't one of White's more iconic roles, but it was a feel-good film.
Ontario, Canada
Ontario, Canada is home to gorgeous cities, natural wonders, and is an easy flight from New York for actors living in the Big Apple. It's a great spot for Hallmark to film certain scenes in and oodles of movies have been filmed in this Canadian province.
According to Travel and Design, one of Hallmark's best Christmas movies, Fir Crazy, was filmed in Toronto and was based around a newly unemployed woman working her family's Christmas tree lot for the holiday season. Another film, The Christmas Cure, was filmed in the small town of Dundas, which is right outside of Hamilton, Ontario.
Different Parts Of North Carolina
Georgia isn't the only southern state Hallmark loves filming in, North Carolina is another perfect state to film scenes in due to its vast terrain. There are beaches, mountains, small towns, cities — North Carolina has it all. Due to its mild weather, North Carolina is a great state for Hallmark's warmer-months movies.
Christmas in Conway is a Hallmark movie with a big cast with a classic Hallmark trope that was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, according to Star News Online. It included Mandy Moore, Mary Louise Parker, and Andy Garcia. A Way Back Home is another country music favorite filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Manitoba, Canada
The province of Manitoba is right between Ontario and Saskatchewan. Along with other Canadian provinces, it's a great backdrop for many Hallmark movies.
A Christmas Connection is a feel-good movie about a dedicated flight attendant named Sydney who looks after a young girl on a flight until she is connected with her father when they land. But when Sydney's flight gets canceled, she ends up spending the holidays with the small-town family. As fans can imagine, it's a love story waiting to happen. Candace Cameron Bure's popular Journey Back to Christmas isn't the best Christmas movie but it was another one that was filmed in Winnipeg.
Throughout Utah
Utah is another state that has gorgeous countryside to fulfill any background Hallmark is trying to sell. Switched at Christmas is a great holiday movie about drastically different twin sisters who switch places during the holiday season when they need a change of pace in their respective lives. As always, the sisters learn more about each other's day-to-day lives and grow closer.
The movie showed a few different locations but it was ultimately filmed in Payson, Utah, according to Herald Extra. Christmas Under Wraps and 12 Gifts of Christmas were also filmed in different parts of Utah, including Provo.
New York City, New York
Most Hallmark movies have similar plots or storylines. Each movie differs from the other, of course, but it's a long-running joke that all Hallmark movies start and end in similar ways. For example, there's typically a contrasting big city and a small town involved in the same movie. Whether it's a small-town girl making it big in the city or a city-slicker who has to rough it in a small town – it's all gold.
New York City is a hot spot when it comes to filming, according to Heavy. Christmas at the Plaza is a movie that could only be filmed in the Big Apple since it's filmed at the one and only Plaza.
Around Colorado's Mountains
Colorado is the perfect place for a Hallmark movie revolving around winter sports, windy roads, or log cabins.
Winter in Vail is one of those Hallmark movies that was actually filmed in Vail and showed off just how gorgeous Colorado can be in the winter. Starring Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes, two people come together to bring back an old festivity to the small town of Vail. It was one of Chabert's cuter Christmas movies. Hallmark's When Calls the Heart is also filmed in Colorado, noted Hollywood Reporter.
Across The Pond!
As amazing as the small towns in Canada and the US are, some Hallmark movies are shown in Europe. Whether it's a competition, a job, or a royalty match in heaven, some scenes can only be filmed in Europe. Christmas At The Palace takes place in the fake country of San Senova, but it was actually filmed in Romania, according to Country Living.
Heavy noted that Valentine's Day film Love, Romance, & Chocolate took place in Belgium. With cobblestoned streets and picturesque towns, Hallmark scouts know exactly what each movie needs to draw in viewers.