Hallmark stars and fans kicked up their heels in Nashville to celebrate the network’s 16th annual Countdown to Christmas on October 15, 2025. More than a dozen Hallmark Channel’s top stars arrived for a jam-packed schedule of events, from celebrity meet-and-greets at local Hallmark stores to a star-studded holiday show at the Grand Ole Opry.
We’ve got a full round-up of our favorite photos and videos from the festivities on October 15, designed to drum up excitement for Countdown to Christmas. Hallmark’s holiday programming starts airing on October 17 with all-day Christmas classics, primetime episodes of “Mistletoe Murders,” and two original movie premieres this weekend (including one of the Top 8 duos we’re most excited to see this season).
Countdown to Christmas Stars Hold Meet and Greets With Fans
On the morning of October 15, fans turned out in droves at two local malls to take photos with the stars at Hallmark stores and get their hands on Lacey Chabert’s first-ever line of Hallmark holiday merchandise.
At one store, fans got to meet Benjamin Ayres, Brooke D’Orsay, Lacey Chabert, B.J. Britt, and Ashley Williams. At the other, a meet-and-greet was held with Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, Paul Campbell, Kimberley Sustad, and Rachel Boston.
Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at Opry Plaza
GettyMany of the stars then headed to the Opry Plaza outside the iconic Grand Ole Opry for a pep rally, hitting the stage to share details of their upcoming Countdown to Christmas movies and answer questions from the event’s emcees, including Kelly Sutton, the first female Opry announcer in the landmark’s 100-year history.
Chabert was overwhelmed by the hero’s welcome she received as she took the stage, not only from the cheering fans but from her Hallmark colleagues, all celebrating the queen of Hallmark Christmas movies.
Getty“A Newport Christmas” stars Ginna Claire Mason and Wes Brown made an epic piggyback entrance from stage left. Their time travel movie, filmed on the East Coast, premieres on November 2.
Getty“Mistletoe Murders” stars Peter Mooney and Sarah Drew were part of the Countdown to Christmas Opry Plaza takeover, too. The first season of their cozy mystery series, based on the hugely popular podcast of the same name, was originally only available via Hallmark+ in 2024, but will make its Hallmark Channel debut on October 17 with back-to-back episodes. Season two will premiere on Hallmark Channel on November 7.
Getty“Christmas at the Catnip Cafe” stars Paul Campbell and Erin Cahill took the stage, too, and agreed the cats are the real stars of their show! Their purrfect holiday flick premieres on November 30.
Say Cheese! Countdown to Christmas Stars’ Photo Shoots
GettyWith picture-perfect backgrounds set up nearby, the stars gathered for sweet shots with their castmates, friends, and fans. Members of the “Grand Ole Opry Christmas” cast posed together (Kristoffer Polaha couldn’t be in Nashville, though, because he’s filming a new movie in Europe)
GettyThe uber-cool stars of the “Three Wise Men” trilogy, including 2025’s “The Wisest Men,” struck a pose in their shades, but don’t let their serious expressions fool you. This foursome was laughing and hamming it up all day.
GettyIn likely the sweetest moment of the day, Rachel Boston, who stars with Brendan Penny in the Countdown to Christmas movie “The More the Merrier,” was posing for photographers when she got a bear hug from her three-year-old daughter Grace Boston, on hand to cheer her mom on. How cute are they!?
Hallmark Stars Celebrated Countdown to Christmas on the Grand Ole Opry Stage
The day finished with a music-filled celebration on the iconic Grand Ole Opry stage, where multiple stars got to introduce performers. “The Groomsmen” co-stars Hynes, Britt, and Jonathan Bennett hilariously walked out wearing form-fitting, pink Hallmark holiday sweaters that are available in the venue’s gift shop. The trio introduced country artist Drew Baldridge.
Dear friends Nikki DeLoach and Ashley Williams, who stars in the Countdown to Christmas movie “An Alpine Holiday,” also appeared. They talked about how they both always dreamed of setting foot on the Opry stage but never imagined it would happen via Hallmark. Before introducing country artist Rhett Aiken, DeLoach said filming “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” was “one of the greatest experiences of my life.”
