Fans of Hallmark Channel and Great American Family Channel programming gathered at the New Jersey Expo Center for the 5th annual Christmas Con weekend, a must-attend event for Christmas movie lovers. Launched in 2019 and paused in 2020 due to COVID-19, Christmas Con has become a festive destination celebrating beloved holiday films with actor panels, fan meet-and-greets, vendor booths, and immersive seasonal experiences.
Soap Hub went behind the scenes with exclusive backstage access, sitting down with nearly every star in attendance for one-on-one interviews. Keep scrolling for conversations with fan favorites Antonio Cupo, Wes Brown, Will Kemp, Brendan Penny, and Brennan Elliott.
Key Takeaways
- Christmas Con returned to New Jersey for its fifth year, drawing Hallmark and Great American Family fans for a holiday-packed weekend.
- Soap Hub secured exclusive backstage access, conducting one-on-one interviews with nearly every major star in attendance.
- Fan-favorite leading men, including Wes Brown, Antonio Cupo, Will Kemp, Brendan Penny, and Brennan Elliott, shared insights into their holiday projects and careers.
- The event featured actor panels, meet-and-greets, vendor booths, and immersive Christmas-themed experiences.
- Christmas Con continues to grow as a destination event for holiday movie fans, with tickets for 2026 going on sale in January.
Wes Brown
Brown is known for his roles in Hallmark Channel and Great American Family movies, particularly romantic and holiday films. He first gained attention through television roles before becoming a frequent leading man in made-for-TV movies. Brown has starred in Hallmark favorites including Love Under the Stars, Haul Out the Holly, Wedding at Graceland, and Sweet Pecan Summer. His work spans both romance and Christmas-themed storytelling. His holiday album “My Kind of Christmas” is available for purchase here.
Antonio Cupo
Cupo is a Canadian actor known for his long-running presence in Hallmark Channel romance and holiday films. He has appeared in a wide range of made-for-TV movies over the years, often playing romantic leads. Cupo’s Hallmark credits include A Christmas Wedding Planner, Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, For Better or for Worse, In Merry Measure, and The Christmas Note. His work spans both seasonal and non-holiday romance titles.
Will Kemp
Will Kemp is an English actor and classically trained dancer recognized for his leading roles in Hallmark Channel romance and holiday films. Trained at the Royal Ballet School, Kemp performed professionally in productions such as Swan Lake before transitioning into television and film. His Hallmark credits include Royal Matchmaker, Love, Romance & Chocolate, The Christmas Waltz, Jolly Good Christmas, My Sweet Austrian Holiday, and The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango. He also served as co-creator and executive producer on The Dancing Detective.
Brendan Penny
Penny is a Canadian actor best known for his recurring leading roles in Hallmark Channel romance and holiday films. He gained early recognition for his work on Motive before becoming a familiar face in Hallmark programming. Penny has starred in popular titles including A Dash of Love, Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe, Marrying Father Christmas, The Wedding Cottage, and Twas the Text Before Christmas. His steady presence has made him a frequent choice for romantic leads across the network.
Brennan Elliott
Elliott is a Canadian actor widely known for his work across Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. He has appeared in numerous romantic and holiday films, as well as mystery franchises on the network. Elliott stars in Hallmark favorites such as All of My Heart, Christmas at Grand Valley, Open by Christmas, and The Perfect Pairing. He is also a central figure in the Crossword Mysteries series opposite Lacey Chabert.
Tickets for Christmas Con 2026 go on sale Saturday, January 17, at noon and can be purchased at That’s 4 Entertainment’s website.
