Hallmark Contest Could Put Newburgh in a Christmas Movie

Newburgh already looks pretty magical at Christmastime.

Between the lights, the riverfront, the historic downtown, holiday events, and the kind of small-town charm that practically begs for a movie montage, it is not hard to imagine Newburgh as the backdrop for a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Now, that possibility is actually on the table.

The Town of Newburgh has been nominated for Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Towns Contest, part of the network's 25th birthday celebration.

Hallmark is searching for 25 communities across the country that best embody holiday spirit, and one winning town will have the opportunity to serve as a filming location for an original Hallmark movie.

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What Hallmark Is Looking For

Hallmark says it wants to hear about towns where Christmas feels especially meaningful.

Judging will focus on things like:

• Community spirit
• Holiday traditions
• Neighborhood charm
• Goodwill
• The overall feeling of Christmas in the community

Entrants are encouraged to get creative by submitting photos, videos, articles, and a written letter explaining what makes their town special during the holiday season.

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You Can Nominate Newburgh Too

One of the best parts of this contest is that you do not have to be a town official to participate.

Any eligible resident age 21 or older can submit a nomination, and more than one person can nominate the same town.

In fact, Hallmark says multiple eligible nominations for the same community will be combined and considered together during judging.

So if you have favorite photos of Newburgh decorated for Christmas, memories of local holiday traditions, or a story that captures what makes the town feel special during the season, you can submit your own entry.

The Deadline Is Coming Up

Nominations are open through 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 10, 2026.

Each entrant may submit:

• Up to three photos
• One video, up to two minutes long
• A written letter describing why the town deserves recognition

There is a limit of one entry per person.

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What Happens Next

After nominations close, Hallmark will select finalist towns to advance to a public voting phase.

Voting will run from Aug. 14 through Sept. 4.

After that, a panel of judges will evaluate the finalists and select the winning town.

One community will be named Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town and could serve as a filming location for a future Hallmark movie.

Hallmark also says 25 towns will be recognized as Official Hallmark Christmas Towns and receive promotional materials they can use during the 2026 holiday season.

So yes, there is now a very real possibility that Newburgh could wind up in a Hallmark Christmas movie.

And if you've ever walked through downtown Newburgh during the holidays, that somehow doesn't feel all that far-fetched.