Karin Doolin , who submitted the application for Carlinville to be entered in Hallmark’s Merriest Town contest with her son Curtis, and husband Roger, at the announcement ceremony.
A crowd gathered at the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville for a supposed community photo shoot and were surprised by the announcement that their town   had won the Hallmark’s Merriest Town contest and would be featured in a Hallmark movie next year. 

Carlinville’s Gazebo on the Historic downtown square is the centerpiece for Christmas in Carlinville, held the first weekend every December. Photo by Karin Doolin – Ten Sixteen Photography.

Small-town Christmas Spirit Earns National Recognition and a Starring Role in an Upcoming Hallmark Movie

By Tara L. Simmons

For years, people have said Carlinville looks like something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. With its historic downtown square, charming shops, beautiful architecture and treasured holiday traditions, it’s easy to understand why.

But who could have imagined that one day, Hallmark would agree?

Not only has Carlinville been named Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town in America, but our little Central Illinois community will also serve as a filming location for a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2027!

And it all started with a suggestion from a friend.

When Marcy Welsh, owner of Collected Boutique in downtown Carlinville, told Carlinville resident Karin Doolin about Hallmark’s nationwide search for America’s Merriest Christmas Town, she encouraged Karin to enter. With an abundance of photos and videos highlighting the community’s holiday spirit, Karin decided to give it a shot.

“So I made a video, narrated it, cringed at hearing my own voice, and sent it in anyway,” Karin recalled.

Hallmark launched the competition in July, inviting communities nationwide to showcase their holiday traditions, hometown charm and Christmas spirit. Nearly 1,500 entries poured in from across the country.

When Carlinville was selected among just 25 finalists, Karin was thrilled.

“Honestly, the Top 25 was a huge win in my book,” she said.

The community rallied, spreading the word and encouraging everyone to vote during the nationwide competition. Then came the waiting.

And an email requesting a meeting with Hallmark executives.

During that meeting, Karin learned something almost too wonderful to believe: Carlinville had won!

“It was too big. I think I lost my hearing and ability to speak. I cried in front of Hallmark execs.”

But there was one rather significant catch. The announcement had to remain a secret until Hallmark could arrange a spectacular hometown reveal. And Karin had to help pull it off.

Keeping Christmas Under Wraps

For weeks, Karin worked with Hallmark representatives to organize a celebration without letting the town know what was really happening.

The cover story? Midwest Living magazine was supposedly coming to Carlinville for a feature and wanted a large community photograph.

“I spent the next four weeks trying to convince practically everyone I know of this elaborate lie, and to get them to show up,” Karin explained.

And show up they did!

Despite heavy rain earlier in the day, the skies cleared just before the October announcement. Residents gathered, expecting a community photo, completely unaware of the extraordinary news awaiting them.

Then came the surprise.

Hallmark executives and Countdown to Christmas stars Erin Cahill, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Brendan Penny and Jonathan Bennett joined the celebration as Carlinville learned it had earned the coveted title.

The excitement was overwhelming.

“Watching that crowd hear the news of this win was the dream of a lifetime,” Karin said. “I cry just thinking about it.”

The celebration also included a memorable moment when Mayor Doug Downey recognized Karin’s efforts and the crowd responded with enthusiastic applause.

“I’ve never had that many people clap for me in my entire life,” she recalled. “I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

For Karin, having her son unexpectedly home to witness the celebration made the day even more special.

A Christmas Dream Come True

Hallmark officials praised Carlinville’s strong sense of community, holiday traditions and the genuine kindness of its residents – the very qualities that make its Christmas movies so beloved.

Carlinville’s selection was based on both public voting and judges’ evaluations of community spirit, holiday charm and goodwill.

And the excitement isn’t over.

Carlinville will be featured in promotional announcements on the Hallmark Channel, and in 2027, the town will welcome Hallmark movie production.

It’s a remarkable honor for a community of approximately 5,500 residents, and this holiday season promises to be especially memorable.

While the annual Christmas in Carlinville celebration, December 4–6, has traditionally been the centerpiece of the town’s holiday festivities, this year the Christmas spirit will extend well beyond a single weekend!

The Chamber of Commerce, local organizations, businesses, the hospital and community groups are joining forces to offer holiday activities and events every weekend from November 20 through Christmas, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to experience the magic of Carlinville throughout the season.

[View the Christmas in Carlinville Event & Shopping Map]

The December 4-6 celebration will feature live entertainment, a special Kids Zone, fire pits and s’mores stations surrounding the historic downtown square and gazebo, an ice skating rink, carriage rides and extended holiday shopping hours at local businesses.

Holiday shoppers will also discover an abundance of unique gifts and treasures, with vendors gathered under the big tent downtown and at five additional market locations, including the historic Anderson Mansion.

A free shuttle will transport visitors between the various shopping destinations.

For Karin, who wasn’t raised in Carlinville, the experience has only strengthened her appreciation for the community she now calls home.

“Maybe that’s why the specialness of it stands out to me,” she reflected. “Getting the entire country to see what I see in this town is beyond anything I could have imagined.”

And while the title, television appearances and movie production are certainly exciting, the real magic of this story isn’t found in Hollywood.

It’s found in neighbors supporting neighbors, volunteers keeping traditions alive, businesses decorating their storefronts, and an entire community coming together when it matters most.

After all, you can’t manufacture the kind of Christmas spirit that makes a town special.

It comes from the people who call it home.

Karin perhaps summed up the experience best:

“I keep thinking about how someday, when I’m old and looking back on my life, there will be a handful of moments that stand out above all the others. This will be one of them.”

Congratulations, Carlinville! We’ve always known you were something special. Now the rest of America knows it, too.

For more information about Christmas in Carlinville, including a complete schedule of festivities throughout the holiday season, visit carlinville.com/Christmas, find Christmas in Carlinville on Facebook, or pick up the special Christmas in Carlinville pullout section included in this month’s issue of The Buzz Magazine.