5 Magical Real-Life Locations Where Hallmark's 'Believe In Christmas' Was Filmed

The Hallmark Channel’s "Countdown to Christmas" lineup for 2024 features a standout film, Believe in Christmas, which transports viewers to the quintessential holiday town of "Christmasland, Massachusetts." As of this current date in December 2025, the movie has become a seasonal favorite, leaving many fans curious about the picturesque, snow-dusted village at the heart of the story. The truth is, the enchanting backdrop for this holiday romance is not in New England at all, but rather a charming, historic seaside community in Atlantic Canada, proving that Christmas magic can be found even when filming takes place in the spring.

This deep dive reveals the actual shooting locations, the specific businesses and landmarks that stood in for the fictional Christmasland, and the full cast and crew who brought this heartwarming story to life. Get ready to explore the stunning Canadian province that perfectly captured the spirit of a holiday movie, complete with a full list of the talented individuals behind the production.

The Full Cast and Crew of Hallmark's Believe in Christmas (2024)

Believe in Christmas is a Hallmark Channel original movie that premiered as part of the highly anticipated 2024 "Countdown to Christmas" event. The film follows Beatrice Thompson, a woman who has lost her holiday spirit, as she travels with her best friend to a town dedicated entirely to Christmas, where she meets the charming Ethan Crane. The production was a collaboration between a talented group of actors, writers, and production professionals.

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• Meghan Ory as Beatrice Thompson (The Christmas Skeptic)
• John Reardon as Ethan Crane (The Local Love Interest)
• Lindura as Emilia Rhodes (Beatrice's Best Friend)
• Kevin Hanchard as Porter Bryant
• Cathy Jones as Carol Crane
• Kirstin Howell as Supporting Cast
• Hank White as Supporting Cast
• Director: Christie Will Wolf
• Writers: Maggie Dallen, Christie Will Wolf, and Anne-Marie Meyer
• Producers: David Keefe and Christie Will Wolf
• Production Company: Johnson Production Group

Unmasking Christmasland: Where Was Believe in Christmas Actually Filmed?

The fictional setting of the movie, "Christmasland, Massachusetts," is portrayed as a storybook town packed with twinkle lights, cocoa, and holiday cheer, a place "Where all your holiday dreams come true." The actual principal photography for the majority of the film took place thousands of miles away from Massachusetts, in the stunning maritime province of Nova Scotia, Canada.

Filming commenced in the late spring, specifically starting around April 29, 2024, a common practice for Hallmark movies that allows for controlled environments and easier access to locations before the busy summer season. The production team, led by director Christie Will Wolf, successfully transformed the Atlantic Canadian landscape into a winter wonderland, a logistical feat that required significant coordination with local authorities and businesses.

1. The Heart of Christmasland: Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

The picturesque village that serves as the primary setting for Christmasland is Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Mahone Bay is famous for its iconic waterfront view featuring three historic churches—the St. James Anglican, Trinity United, and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran—a view that is often cited as one of the most photographed in Canada. This quaint, colorful, and historic atmosphere made it the perfect stand-in for a magical holiday town.

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During the two-day shoot on April 30 and May 1, 2024, the town's main thoroughfare was temporarily shut down for the filming process. Local residents and businesses played a crucial role, with some storefronts being temporarily repurposed to fit the Christmasland theme. The production's use of local landmarks and the town's natural beauty ensured the movie had an authentic, cozy feel that is characteristic of the best Hallmark holiday films.

2. Specific Local Businesses and Landmarks Utilized

While many businesses were transformed, the production utilized several real-life Mahone Bay establishments, which adds a layer of fun for viewers familiar with the area. The filming brought a temporary flurry of activity to the community, with the main street being decorated for a winter scene in the spring.

• MacQuarries Pharmasave: This local pharmacy was mentioned as one of the businesses involved in the shoot, likely serving as a key storefront within the Christmasland downtown area.
• Mahone Bay & District Fire Department: The local fire department was also noted in production documents, suggesting its building or surrounding area was used for a scene or as a staging area for the production crew.
• Local Cafés and Shops: Reports noted that café owners and other small business proprietors were involved in the process, with their shops providing the colorful, historic backdrops seen throughout the movie. The main thoroughfare's shut-down indicates heavy use of the downtown core, where most of these independent shops are located.

The Challenge of Filming a Christmas Movie in April

One of the most fascinating aspects of making Believe in Christmas was the need to create a convincing winter setting while filming in the late spring. The principal photography schedule, beginning in late April 2024, meant the cast and crew had to rely heavily on movie magic to achieve the snowy atmosphere.

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The production team brought in artificial snow and extensive Christmas decorations to transform the already picturesque Mahone Bay. This process of creating a full-blown holiday environment in the spring is a logistical hallmark of the genre. The use of fake snow, strategic lighting, and careful camera work allowed the town to look authentically festive, despite the warmer weather and lack of natural snow. This dedication to detail is a key reason why the "Christmasland setting" feels so immersive and magical, successfully overcoming the challenge of the filming schedule.

3. The City Contrast: A Glimpse of New York

The movie opens with the main character, Beatrice, navigating a "snowy, bustling city" before she escapes to the tranquility of Christmasland. This establishing shot, typical of many holiday films, is visually distinct from the quaint village setting. While not explicitly confirmed as New York City, the establishing shots suggest a major metropolitan area, providing a stark contrast between Beatrice's busy, Christmas-skeptical life and the small-town magic she is about to discover in Mahone Bay. This contrast is a key narrative device in the film, highlighting the transformative power of the Christmasland setting.

Nova Scotia: A Rising Star in Hallmark Filming Locations

The choice of Nova Scotia for Believe in Christmas highlights a growing trend for holiday movie productions. The province offers a unique blend of historic architecture, stunning coastal scenery, and charming small towns that can easily double for New England or other idyllic locations. The use of Mahone Bay in this film adds it to a growing list of Canadian locations that have successfully hosted Hallmark productions, solidifying Canada's reputation as a go-to destination for holiday movie magic. The local production support and the ability to control the environment for a spring Christmas shoot make locations like Mahone Bay invaluable to the Hallmark Channel's extensive "Countdown to Christmas" lineup. The film's success is a testament to the seamless way the production integrated the beauty of the South Shore of Nova Scotia into the story.