The Hallmark Channel has released its full list of holiday films for 2026, and your daytime faves are featured in many of them. From Days of our Lives‘ Franco Lo Presti and Alison Sweeney to General Hospital‘s Jonathan Bennett and Bryce Durfee, and former The Young and the Restless‘ Hunter King and Mishael Morgan, and other alums, the holiday fare is sure to delight the soap fans.
Key Takeaways
- The Hallmark Channel released its new schedule of holiday films for 2026.
- Current soap stars Jonathan Bennett, Franco Lo Presti, Alison Sweeney & more will be featured.
- Soap alums Bryce Durfee, Lacey Chabert, Hunter King, Mishael Morgan & others star in the holiday flicks.
Winter Wonderlanes
Can a beloved family bowling alley bring two former sweethearts back together for Christmas? Ashley Newbrough and Franco Lo Presti star in this holiday romance about second chances, family traditions, and finding love where you least expect it, premiering October 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Newbrough plays Audrey Bell, a successful traveling restaurateur who returns home for Thanksgiving only to discover that Wonderlanes, the cherished bowling alley once owned by her late grandfather, is being sold. Determined to give the family business a memorable final Christmas, Audrey resurrects its popular Winter Wonderlanes youth bowling tournament. To help generate excitement, she reluctantly joins forces with Jason Miller (Lo Presti), a local television reporter who also happens to be her high school sweetheart.
As the former couple works together to bring the holiday tradition back to life, old feelings resurface, and their undeniable connection becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. With the tournament approaching and her career calling her elsewhere, Audrey faces a life-changing decision: continue traveling the world or take a chance on love and the hometown she once left behind.
The Most Wonderful Secret
A mysterious Christmas scavenger hunt could lead to an unexpected romance in this holiday movie starring Tammin Sursok (Colleen, Y&R) and Peter Porte (Dimitri, DAYS), premiering November 28 at 6 p.m. ET/PT.
Sursok plays Vanessa, a burned-out art teacher who visits her widowed brother and niece, Esther, for Christmas, hoping for a much-needed break. Instead, she finds herself at the center of a beloved small-town tradition honoring Norma, a late teacher remembered for spreading holiday cheer through anonymous gifts. Each year, one lucky resident is selected to follow a series of festive clues, and this Christmas, Vanessa is the surprise recipient. Determined to make the season special for Esther, Vanessa also takes on the challenge of bringing back the town’s holiday block party. Along the way, she teams up with Spencer (Porte), a handsome electrician who offers to help with the celebration if Vanessa assists him in selling his late mother Norma’s home.
As the scavenger hunt unfolds and the two spend more time together, Vanessa begins rediscovering her passion for teaching, the joy of Christmas, and the possibility of finding love right next door.
Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True
A disastrous first date turns into an unexpected Christmas reunion at Walt Disney World in this holiday romance starring Lacey Chabert (Bianca, All My Children), Travis Van Winkle, Richard Kind, Christy Carlson Romano, Bryce Durfee, and Taegen Burns, premiering November 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Chabert plays Lindsey, who heads to the Florida theme park with her extended family for a magical Christmas vacation, only to discover that Philip (Van Winkle), the man behind one of her worst dates, is staying in the room next door. To make matters even more awkward, Philip is also visiting Disney World with his family, making it nearly impossible for the two to avoid each other. As their holiday adventures repeatedly bring them together, Lindsey and Philip begin to realize their disastrous first impression may have prevented them from seeing how much they actually have in common.
With Disney’s beloved attractions, festive celebrations, and a little Christmas magic setting the stage, a wish Lindsey makes at the Cinderella Fountain could transform an uncomfortable reunion into a holiday romance neither saw coming.
Eight Nights for Love
What if a magical menorah could take you back in time and reveal the love you’ve been overlooking? Hunter King (ex Summer, Y&R) and Dan Jeannotte star in this Hanukkah romance about second chances, unexpected discoveries, and finding the courage to follow your heart, premiering November 29 at 6 p.m. ET/PT.
King plays Hannah, a New York City auction house employee looking forward to celebrating Hanukkah with her longtime best friend, Ethan (Jeannotte), who is returning home for the holiday. However, her plans for a relaxing break disappear when Ethan arranges for his wealthy boss’s family to auction off their valuable Judaica collection, with Hannah personally overseeing the sale. Things take an even more surprising turn when a mysterious woman named Pearl (Felicia Shulman) gives Hannah an antique menorah with the extraordinary ability to transport her to different moments in her past on each night of Hanukkah.
Guided by Pearl, Hannah revisits meaningful memories, including moments shared with Ethan, that force her to confront her fear of failure and reconsider the choices that shaped her life. As the two friends grow closer in the present, Hannah begins to recognize romantic feelings she’s kept buried for years, inspiring her to take chances in both her career and her love life.
Miles to Christmas
A Christmas travel nightmare turns into an unexpected holiday romance when Ashley Williams (Dani, As The World Turns), Steve Lund, and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS) hit the road in this festive adventure, premiering November 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Williams stars as Cassidy Fields, a punctual, by-the-book professional whose carefully organized Christmas plans fall apart when an early Midwest snowstorm disrupts her travel arrangements. Desperate to reach Tennessee in time to celebrate with her father, Cassidy accepts a ride to the airport from free-spirited music lover Johanna “Jo” Woods (Sweeney) in an 18-wheeler belonging to Jo’s brother, Chase (Lund). When Jo manages to catch her flight, but Cassidy faces yet another cancellation, she reluctantly joins Chase for the long drive from Chicago to Tennessee.
What begins as an inconvenient road trip soon becomes something more as sparks fly between the unlikely traveling companions. Along the way, misplaced car keys, a festive Mrs. Claus parade, and an unexpected reunion with Jo after her own flight is disrupted create plenty of holiday chaos. As the trio navigates one setback after another, Cassidy discovers that embracing life’s unexpected detours might lead her to something even better than the Christmas she originally planned.
Hearts All Aglow
A priceless piece of Nat King Cole memorabilia, an elusive Grammy-winning music legend, and a series of Christmas challenges bring two ambitious strangers together in this holiday romance starring Mishael Morgan (Amanda, Y&R), B.J. Britt, and Holly Robinson Peete, premiering December 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Morgan plays Mari, a determined music historian who scores an invitation to an exclusive Christmas gala at the DuPree Museum, hoping to land a rare interview with its founder, legendary singer and record producer Tasha (Robinson Peete). Meanwhile, Julian (Britt), a successful New York attorney, arrives with a personal mission to recover a treasured piece of sheet music autographed by Nat King Cole that once belonged to his late mother. Having donated the keepsake to the museum while grieving her death, Julian now hopes to reclaim it as a Christmas gift for his musically gifted niece.
When Mari and Julian discover they both need access to the museum’s elusive founder, they join forces and enter a series of increasingly unpredictable holiday competitions, hoping to win a private tour led by Tasha herself. But as their partnership turns into an unexpected connection, the two career-focused strangers begin to realize that the greatest gift of the evening may have nothing to do with the prizes they’re chasing.
Save the Date for Christmas
Being single during the holidays is complicated enough, but imagine attending one wedding after another while everyone around you finds love. Jonathan Bennett (Joe, GH) and Italia Ricci star in this Christmas romantic comedy about two longtime best friends navigating holiday weddings, family matchmaking, and their own romantic disappointments, premiering December 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Ricci plays Susie, who has all but given up on dating, while Bennett portrays Alec, an eternal romantic still searching for Mr. Right. After spending what feels like an entire year serving as each other’s wedding dates, the frustrated friends agree to take a break from both romance and wedding celebrations. Unfortunately, their pact barely lasts 24 hours before Susie’s sister announces a surprise Christmas wedding, prompting Susie to recruit Alec as her plus-one once again.
Determined to survive the festivities as the only two single guests while dodging their relatives’ matchmaking attempts, the pair finds themselves reconsidering everything they thought they knew about relationships. As Christmas approaches, Susie begins opening herself up to the possibility of romance again, while Alec discovers that finding love sometimes happens when you’re not looking for it.
And check for re-airings of these 2 new films that premiered on October 16th & 17th.
‘Tis The Season for Setups
Amanda Schull, Victor Webster (Nicholas, Days), and Barbara Niven (Liz, One Life to Live) star in this festive holiday romance, premiering October 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Schull plays Lexi, a meticulous single mother and professional party planner who heads to a ski resort with her carefree mother, June (Niven), and teenage daughter, Piper (Verity Marks), after landing a job organizing the lodge’s annual Christmas celebration. Her holiday plans hit a snag when she clashes with Ridge (Webster), a ski instructor whose father, Dan (John B. Lowe), owns the resort. However, when Lexi and Ridge discover a possible romance brewing between their parents, they put their differences aside to play matchmaker.
Their carefully planned holiday activities take unexpected turns when June and Dan find ways to bring the younger pair along. As Christmas approaches, Lexi and Ridge discover that their matchmaking efforts may lead to an unexpected love story of their own.
Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story
What happens when Christmas romance meets Chicago Bears football? Lyndsy Fonseca (Colleen, Y&R) and Robert Buckley are about to find out in a holiday movie packed with NFL cameos, Chicago traditions, and an unexpected love story, premiering October 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Fonseca stars as Avery Clark, a career-driven freelance journalist who returns to Chicago to spend Christmas with her mother (Barbara Alyn Woods) and new stepfather (Khary Payton). Her holiday getaway takes an unexpected turn when she lands an assignment profiling Darlene Donnelly (Marsha Mason), a legendary Bears superfan preparing to attend her 500th game. There’s just one problem: Avery knows practically nothing about football. Enter Darlene’s grandson Matt (Buckley), a handsome Chicago firefighter and devoted Bears fan who agrees to introduce Avery to the city’s football culture. Between holiday celebrations, beloved game-day traditions, and Darlene’s touching memories of a romance that began at the stadium, Avery discovers there’s more to football than touchdowns.
As her chemistry with Matt grows, the journalist who never stays in one place begins wondering whether Chicago — and a certain firefighter — might finally give her a reason to stay.
