Christmas movies have become a beloved holiday mainstay, not only for their happy endings but also for their charming, small town backdrops.
In Connecticut, a newly-launched Christmas Movie Trail is showcasing the state’s quaint towns, bustling cities, and festive settings that have served as locations in this popular film genre.
It is said to be the first trail of its kind in the United States. Download a PDF of this map here.
This self-guided trail maps out 22 locations used in filming holiday movies released by Netflix, Hallmark, BET, Universal Studios, and Lifetime.
Its route spreads across most of Connecticut’s counties. Stops encompass cozy inns, intimate cafes, charming shops and beloved attractions in Connecticut that all helped to bring these cinematic holiday stories to life.
This Christmas Movie Trail Promotes Connecticut
A press conference unveiling the new Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail took place at the Silas W. Robbins House in Wethersfield.
Michele Herrmann
In mid-November, a press conference and unveiling of the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail happened at the Silas W. Robbins House in Wethersfield.
This Second Empire style home turned bed and breakfast was used as a setting in Hallmark’s Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane, starring actors Wes Brown, Erin Cahill, and Michael Rady, and produced by Andrew Gernhard. The historic house is also included as a stop on the Christmas Movie Trail, as much of its interior is featured.
Held on the home’s front porch, State Brand Director Ellen Woolf Rubrich emceed the ceremony.
“The Christmas Movie Trail is a true intersection of live, work and play in Connecticut,” said Rubrich, who also had worked in Connecticut’s film and television office. “It’s a celebration of the thriving film and television industry, the vibrant communities that we call home, and the super cool careers you can have in Connecticut.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont shared a few words at the media preview of the new Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail.
Craig Rosenberg
Christmas Movie Trail Promotes Set-Jetting Trend
Additionally, Rubrich mentioned how the trail taps into the growing travel trend of “set-jetting,” in which fans of TV shows and movies visit their real-life filming locations.
“It also brings gobsmacks of pride when we see a Christmas film in our neighborhood,” she said. “Connecticut is the perfect blend of small-town charm, bustling Main Streets and scenic beauty that brings Christmas magic to life.”
The filming of holiday movies in Connecticut has been giving a special gift — revenue.
George Norfleet, executive director of Connecticut’s Office of Film, TV and Digital Media, shared how holiday film productions within the state have provided an economic boost. Norfleet cited that these in-state filmings have resulted in $1.5 million spent in hotel accommodations, almost half a million on vehicle rentals and over $700,000 on catering and meals.
“This is something that isn’t just looking good and making people feel good, but it’s about business,” said Norfleet. “These movies have created two thousand jobs across various sectors as well.”
From left, Hallmark Movie actors Wes Brown, Erin Cahill, and Michael Rady spoke about their experiences working and staying in Connecticut at the media preview of the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail.
Craig Rosenberg
Christmas Movie Trail Spotlights Connecticut
Film producer Andrew Gernhard also agreed that Connecticut’s tax incentives have encouraged him to continuously film his projects within the state.
“Hallmark Christmas movies have become huge and it’s great that they have a home in Connecticut,” said Gernhard. “And I think this trail is perfect because for years people have asked me, ‘where was this shot,’ where do we go,’ and now we can find all of these places that all of these movies were shot in.”
Along with unveiling the trail’s map, the Hallmark Movie actors in attendance shared their perspectives on not only filming in Connecticut but also visiting the state.
Actress Erin Cahill reflected on seeing her relatives in Connecticut over many summers and holidays while growing up. “Everytime I come up here, it feels more like the holidays than it does anywhere else in the world.”
The Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail was announced this past fall, with an online contest held for Connecticut residents and movie lovers to enter for a chance to attend this unveiling.
Twelve people were chosen to attend the event. Out of this group, one lucky winner was drawn for the opportunity to be an extra in an upcoming Hallmark movie being filmed in Connecticut.
Learn more about the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail here.
This post was originally published on here
