Christmas in July 2026 is Coming to the Hallmark Channel - from June 26th to July 31st!
The network will premiere a new holiday movie every Saturday, beginning on July 4th!
Note: Two of the movies below, CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION and LOVE UNDER THE MISTLETOE, have previously aired via streaming under different titles, but the other two are new premieres.
See details below...
CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
(previously known as: Renovation Romance)
Saturday, July 4, 8 pm ET/PT
Stars: Jessica Lowndes and Daniel Lissing
Chelsea (Lowndes) and Jake (Adam Hurtig, A Suite Holiday Romance) are America’s sweethearts and the stars of a hit reality show, Renovation Romance, where they help couples transform their homes and relationships. For a live Christmas special, they’re tasked with renovating a cozy New Hampshire cabin alongside a new duo, Cooper (Lissing) and Janice (Samantha Kendrick, The Snow Must Go On). But behind the festive cheer, Chelsea and Jake’s relationship is fading. As their latest project progresses, it becomes clear to Chelsea that she and Jake have different priorities in life and must decide if their relationship can be salvaged or if it’s time for a fresh start.
Movie Reviews for CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION (Renovation Romance):
🎄 Renovation Romance - Just wanted to let y’all know that a new Christmas movie with Jessica Lowndes and Daniel Lissing called Renovation Romance is now on Hulu. It was really cute!
A heads up that both of them have significant others when they start the movie because I know that can bother some people with storylines like that. But I do feel that the breakups are very interesting and the communication is rather profound during those scenes so I feel like it was surprisingly handled pretty well. Even though I don’t mind those storylines usually I was a bit nervous at how they were going to handle it considering it was going to be two relationships ending. It was so good to see Jessica Lowndes and Daniel Lissing together again! I loved them together in A December Bride and watch it a couple times each Christmas season because it makes me smile so it made me really happy to see them together again in a new movie. They really have great chemistry together!
While it was clean, they are working with couples who aren’t necessarily married yet that are renovating homes (at least in the opening scene and in the relationship between Daniel Lissing and his significant other) it is never implied that they live together. Really enjoyed the movie! ~Sara S.
🎄 Renovation Romance – (watched this through Hulu) This movie was nice, but not very Christmassy. I mean, they didn’t even put anything Christmas related in the title. Minus the Christmas decor, it felt like it could’ve taken place almost any time of the year.
We first meet Chelsea (Jessica Lowdnes) & Jake (Adam Hurtig) who host their own TV show where they renovate homes and they are a real-life couple. Basically, they are like Chip and Joana Gaines, except Chelsea and Jake aren’t married.
Chelsea is feeling the need for a break from work, but her boyfriend, Jake, persuades her to take on one last project during the Christmas season that could elevate their careers to new levels. The house they choose to renovate is owned by Daniel Lissing’s character, Cooper. It’s already stunning in its structure and beautifully decorated for the holidays, making the idea of renovating and redecorating seem unnecessary. Honestly, I didn’t notice any significant alterations, perhaps just an additional Christmas tree or some garland, but nothing too drastic.
As Sara S. pointed out (in her review above), the opening scene subtly indicates that the couple, for whom Chelsea and Jake are decorating and renovating a home, is living together, so there are both pros and cons with this movie.
The cons... Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lowdes’ characters are both involved in long-term relationships with other people when they meet; however, it's clear that both couples are facing challenges. Honestly, watching the two couples struggle with their relationships felt a bit exhausting throughout the film. Aside from the Christmas decorations, the story didn't really capture the essence of the holiday season for me.
The pros... Renovation Romance is lighthearted and family-friendly, and it was enjoyable to see Jessica and Daniel share the screen again, especially after their previous film, A December Bride, which coincidentally also revolves around Christmas home décor. ~Net
O LITTLE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Saturday, July 11, 8 pm ET/PT
Stars: Katherine Barrell and Stephen Huszar
Olivia (Barrell) is a gifted miniature artist who has devoted her heart to the town’s Christmas market, a tradition started by her late father. When a corporate developer plans to tear it down, she risks losing the legacy she holds dear. A chance meeting at a train station with Grayson (Huszar), a talented yet unfulfilled architect, sparks an unexpected connection. Their bond is tested when Olivia learns his firm is behind the buyout. As Christmas draws near Olivia rallies the community to save the market after securing a delay to the final decision. Amid the holiday magic, Grayson and Olivia’s romance blossoms despite being on seemingly opposite sides of the deal. Together, they must find a way to merge their dreams and save the market, discovering that in order to endure love – like art – requires taking a leap of faith.
SNOWBOUND FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Saturday, July 18, 8 pm ET/PT
Stars: Vanessa Lengies and Marcus Rosner
Cassidy Evergreen (Lengies) is an ambitious guest services manager at her family’s boutique hotel company who is determined to prove she’s ready for the next step in her career. Her mother – and boss – Joanne (Kathryn Greenwood, Ghosts), sends her to Ridgeford Valley to evaluate the future of the charming but struggling Linden Lodge. Upon arriving, she meets Trey Sanderson (Rosner), the lodge’s devoted co-owner who is doing everything he can to preserve it. Alongside his spirited daughter, Lilly (Skywalker Hughes, Joe Pickett), Trey is working tirelessly to keep the lodge’s beloved holiday traditions alive, including the town’s annual Christmas Festival. As Cassidy becomes part of the festivities – from untangling Christmas lights and snow tubing adventures to helping Lilly sell holiday wish lanterns for charity – she begins to discover the magic that makes Linden Lodge so special. Along the way, Cassidy finds herself drawn to Trey, Lilly and the close-knit community that gathers there each Christmas season. But when outside pressures threaten the future of the lodge, Cassidy must decide what truly matters most.
LOVE UNDER THE MISTLETOE
(Previously known as: Operation Mistletoe)
Saturday, July 25, 8 pm ET/PT
Stars: Jen Lilley and Nick Bateman
Interior designer Grace (Lilley) runs a business with her best friend and her brother in the quaint town of Ivy Glen but is too busy for a real relationship. Ryan (Bateman), a successful New York City financial advisor and Grace’s former high school crush, returns home planning to sell his grandmother’s historic St. Nicholas House. The mayor convinces him to revive the beloved Ribbons & Bows charity fundraiser and brings Grace on board to help. Working side by side to pull the event together, the former couple reminisces and feelings they once shared slowly resurface. But will this yuletide reunion lead to love under the mistletoe?
Movie Reviews for LOVE UNDER THE MISTLETOE (Operation Mistletoe):
🎄 Operation Mistletoe (2024) is family friendly about when Grace’s former classmate & (crush) Ryan St. Nicholas arrives home for Christmas, Grace’s best friend initiates “Operation Mistletoe” to search for mistletoe. Ryan isn’t selling St. Nicholas’ House to keep his family legacy that belong to his Grandma’s. Ribbons & Bows Christmas Fundraiser with help from Jack & Olivia. Mayor Sami Hoffman & her Husband. Olivia gives Grace a mistletoe. Grace has a mistletoe while Ryan holds mistletoe from Grace as they kissed under the mistletoe. Jack & Olivia go outside. It’s available on Hulu via Disney+ ~Anonymous
🎄 Thank you for sharing about this movie! I just watched it and it was so cute! It stars Jen Lilley and Nick Bateman. They had great chemistry together and the supporting cast was great especially her best friend and brother who are married. Very cute and fun! It’s available on Hulu. ~Sara S.
🎄 “Operation Mistletoe” – This movie disappointed us. We normally enjoy anything Jen is in but not this one. We did not finish the movie. ~Joan
🎄 Operation Mistletoe - Did anyone find that the audio was poor? At times, the speech seemed jumbled. Jen’s speech also seemed to be sped up. Despite using CC, this really affected how I could listen. It is a shame too because it was cute. ~Anonymous
🎄 Operation Mistletoe. This one didn’t make my Bells on Bob-tail ring. If you’re going to make an unoriginal, cookie-cutter Christmas movie, it needs something to stand out and make it special – some sort of spark or warmth or humor or meat on it’s bones. But this one felt lame and rather B-list low-budget, with uninspired writing/directing/producing, along with annoying background music and sound issues. Other than Jen Lilley, the actors were either flat or over-the-top annoying. There was no chemistry between Jen and Nick (all that plethora of ridiculous mistletoe just wasn’t working for these two!!); and, for me, Nick is just too stiff and awkward (and he seriously needs a new hair stylist!!). I love Jen Lilley but even she couldn’t save this one. I quit at the two-thirds point but it was family friendly up until then. ~~Jane (aka Much Mistletoeing)
🎄 Operation Mistletoe - Finally got around to watching this, and it was so sweet! -Maria
🎄 Operation Mistletoe - This is such a sweet, lighthearted movie. I really enjoyed the brother and his wife... they are super cute. Jen and Nick are fun, too, but I didn't feel much chemistry with their characters. Overall, though, it's still a delightful watch. ~Net
Stay tuned for more details on Christmas in July, and I'll have more updates coming to the Christmas Schedule!
If you've seen CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION and LOVE UNDER THE MISTLETOE, please share your reviews in comments below.
Have a Merry Day,
Net 🎄
