The 5 New Christmas Dating Shows That Are Defining The 2025 Holiday Reality TV Season

The Christmas dating show phenomenon is bigger than ever in 2025, moving beyond annual movie specials to dominate the holiday reality TV landscape. This season, viewers are being treated to a fresh slate of unscripted series that blend the cozy charm of a Christmas rom-com with the high-stakes drama of reality television. Forget the same old festive flicks; the quest for love under the mistletoe has become a competitive sport, and the newest shows are delivering unique twists, from small-town matchmaking to global format distribution.

As of December 2025, the most anticipated and talked-about releases are setting the stage for a truly unforgettable holiday viewing marathon. These shows, featuring network heavyweights like Hallmark and global distributors like Fremantle, prove that the demand for festive dating formats is a year-round business, with new premieres rolling out right into the New Year.

The New Wave of Festive Dating Formats: Small Town Setup and The Advent Calendar

The 2025 season is defined by two major additions that are shaking up the genre: Hallmark’s foray into reality TV and a globally-distributed format from Canada. These shows move past the standard "single-in-a-mansion" setup, injecting community involvement and high-concept festive mechanics into the search for a soulmate.

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1. Small Town Setup (Hallmark+)

Hallmark Channel, the undisputed champion of Christmas romance, has officially thrown its hat into the reality TV ring with the unscripted series, Small Town Setup. Premiering on Hallmark+ beginning January 2, 2025, this show is a direct translation of the network’s signature "small town magic" into a dating competition.

The series is hosted by beloved Hallmark veteran, actress Ashley Williams, who guides the featured individuals through their journey.

The Unique Matchmaking Premise

What makes Small Town Setup unique is its central premise: the featured single’s family and community take on the role of matchmakers. This setup ensures that the potential partners are vetted not just for chemistry, but for their ability to integrate into the tight-knit community—a core theme of all Hallmark holiday movies.

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The first season follows Leighann, a wedding planner who returns to her hometown to help plan her sister's wedding, only to find her entire town conspiring to set her up with the perfect groom. This blend of family meddling, community spirit, and holiday romance is exactly what fans of the network have been craving in a reality format.

2. The Advent Calendar (Crave/Fremantle)

Hailing from Canada via Bell Media’s Crave streaming service, The Advent Calendar is a high-concept, festive dating format that has quickly gained international attention. Fremantle, a global leader in content distribution, acquired the international rights, positioning the show to be adapted in territories worldwide.

A Christmas Fairy Tale Format

The format is designed to be a magical TV show, reminiscent of a Christmas fairy tale. It centers on one single person who is on a quest for love, with the entire show structured around the festive countdown. The premise combines the classic elements of a dating show—dates, eliminations, and romantic tension—with an immersive Christmas atmosphere.

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This "festive dating format" is a prime example of how reality TV producers are using the holiday season as a compelling backdrop, turning a simple search for love into a whimsical, seasonal event.

The Returning Holiday Reality TV Heavyweights

While the new shows are generating buzz, the established pioneers of the Christmas dating genre continue to draw massive audiences. These series have already cemented their place as essential holiday viewing, setting the standard for seasonal reality romance.

3. 12 Dates of Christmas (Max)

Originally premiering on HBO Max (now simply Max), 12 Dates of Christmas remains the gold standard for high-budget, highly-produced holiday dating shows. The series follows three hopelessly romantic singles—known as "Leads"—who are determined to meet their "holiday someone" to bring home for the holidays.

The "12 Dates" Mechanics

The show is set in a picturesque, snow-covered castle, often referred to as a Christmas fairy tale location. The Leads date a rotating cast of contestants, with the ultimate goal of finding a partner by Christmas Day. Contestants like Amanda Grace Jenkins, Danny Escalante, and Markelle Smith have become reality TV entities in their own right, sharing their experiences on the series.

Its success is often attributed to its creator, who also worked on the hit dating series Love Is Blind, ensuring a compelling blend of genuine connection and reality TV drama.

4. Finding Mr. Christmas (Hallmark+)

Another key player in Hallmark's unscripted expansion is Finding Mr. Christmas. This Hallmark+ original streaming series offers a different take on the dating formula, focusing on a competition format to find the ultimate holiday-loving man.

Star-Studded Judging Panel

The show is hosted by the charismatic Jonathan Bennett, who is a staple in the holiday entertainment world. The lead judge is Melissa, adding a layer of celebrity commentary and expertise to the quest for the perfect partner. This series leans heavily into the festive spirit, celebrating all the traditions and charm of the holiday season while the contestants vie for love.

The Future of Holiday Romance Reality TV

The landscape of Christmas dating shows is rapidly evolving, with a clear trend toward high-concept, globally-adaptable formats. The success of shows like Small Town Setup and The Advent Calendar signals a shift: networks are investing heavily in unscripted series that can be easily branded and marketed during the competitive holiday viewing window.

The integration of LSI keywords like "holiday romance reality TV" and "unscripted series" highlights the genre’s growing topical authority. As long as viewers crave the cozy, feel-good atmosphere of a Christmas movie combined with the addictive nature of a dating competition, this genre will continue to expand. Expect to see more international adaptations and even more unique twists on the matchmaking formula in the coming seasons, cementing the Christmas dating show as a permanent fixture on the December television schedule.