Hallmark is currently on a nationwide search to find the merriest Christmas town in America, and a small town in Illinois—Carlinville—is in the running.
Carlinville is one of 25 finalists, and the grand prize—besides the title of “Merriest Christmas Town in America of 2025”—is the chance for the town to be featured in an original Hallmark Channel movie.
Carlinville made Hallmark’s top 25 Christmas list
Located between Springfield and St. Louis, Carlinville was recognized for its historic square, which hosts a beautifully decorated holiday ceremony, and for the town’s numerous festivities that make it a beloved holiday destination.
According to NBC Chicago, the central Illinois town is also home to the world’s largest continuous collection of original Sears catalog homes in a single neighborhood. Each winter, it hosts a Christmas market and a series of holiday-themed events and experiences.
Karin Doolin, executive director of the Carlinville Chamber of Commerce, said
For years, we’ve heard visitors say Carlinville looks like something straight out of a Hallmark movie, so to have Hallmark itself recognize our town in this way is incredibly exciting.
We’re proud of the traditions and community spirit that helped get Carlinville here, and we hope this gives even more people a reason to come experience our town for themselves.
The public can vote for their favorite among the 25 finalists online; each participant can cast one vote per day until the deadline on September 4.
