Just when it seemed Hallmark’s 2025 Countdown to Christmas couldn’t get any merrier, the network announced on November 18, 2025, that a surprise and star-studded Christmas special is in the works.
“The Hallmark Christmas Experience: A Hometown Holiday Christmas Special” will premiere on December 6 at 10 p.m. Eastern time (right after the premiere of Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker’s “She’s Making a List.” Here’s what Hallmark’s elves have up their sleeves…
Hallmark Channel Christmas Special Will Feature Stars Including Brad Paisley
GettyThe hour-long special will be hosted by Hallmark fan-favorite Benjamin Ayres, who took on his first hosting duties in 2024, serving as on-air ringleader for the “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” premiere in Kansas City.
For the new special, Ayres will return to Kansas City, where Hallmark is headquartered, to host the show from the second annual Hallmark Christmas Experience. The public event takes place on four consecutive weekends, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and features a holiday market, family activities, and a different set of stars on hand each weekend for photos and celebrity panels.
Hallmark’s “A Hometown Holiday Christmas Special” will include a tree-lighting countdown and holiday music from country music stars like Brad Paisley and Mickey Guyton, both of whom appear in the network’s new movie “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas.” Paisley even wrote this year’s Countdown to Christmas anthem, and recently said on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” that he’s a huge Hallmark fan.
Top Hallmark Channel Stars Will Deliver Surprises in New Special
Hallmark doesn’t usually reveal the next year’s Christmas plans until the year’s current movies have all aired. But for the first time, Hallmark darling Lacey Chabert will appear on the new special with a surprise announcement about her 2026 Christmas movie, according to press materials.
In addition, Ayres will check in with beloved stars Andrew Walker, Tyler Hynes, Kimberley Sustad, B.J. Britt, and “many more,” per Hallmark, with “exclusive first look teases and must-see programming announcements.”
Darren Abbott, Chief Brand Officer for Hallmark, said in a statement, “Christmas is a special time of year for all of us at Hallmark and we can’t wait to celebrate with an all-new holiday special hosted at Hallmark’s Global Headquarters and the home of the Hallmark Christmas Experience. Fan-favorite actors, special musical performances, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks will make this a special event you won’t want to miss.”
