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The holiday season has arrived early in Macoupin County. On October 15, Hallmark officially named Carlinville, Illinois as the winner of its inaugural Merriest Christmas Towns Contest. Hallmark executives delivered the festive news in person at the historic Carlinville Courthouse, transforming the town square into an unforgettable early holiday celebration.
The network brought out some serious star power for the big reveal, featuring four fan favorites from Hallmark’s "Countdown to Christmas" lineup: Jonathan Bennett, Erin Cahill, Tamera Mowry-Housley and Brendan Penny. The afternoon festivities included seasonal music, food and holiday activities curated by Hallmark to mark the historic milestone.
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Carlinville edged out 24 other finalists from across the country—including festive hot spots like Ashland, Oregon; Boerne, Texas; Hanover, Pennsylvania and Winter Garden, Florida—to take home the 2026 crown. The winning town was chosen through a combination of nationwide public votes and scores from an expert panel of judges. As the grand prize winner, Carlinville earned the ultimate holiday reward: the chance to serve as a filming location for a future Hallmark original Christmas movie.
Located along historic Route 66, Carlinville embodies the timeless appeal of small-town America. Its charming town square is lined with locally owned shops, cozy eateries and warm, welcoming residents. Beyond its striking architecture, historic courthouse and Blackburn College—home to the country’s only student-managed work program—Carlinville’s magic lies in its tight-knit community spirit. The holiday season in this town provides a textbook definition of "merry."
Carlinville is just about four hours southwest of Chicago, so it's the perfect spot for a festive weekend getaway. Its holiday charm will make you feel like you're stepping onto the set of a fairytale Hallmark movie—and with its new Hallmark-bestowed designation, it just might be the star of an actual holiday film.