Connecticut is getting into the holiday spirit with this fantastic new initiative—the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail map! The primary goal of this project is to leverage the holiday films’ rising success. The state, known for its charming towns and picturesque landscapes, serves as the backdrop for at least 22 holiday movies produced by Hallmark, Lifetime, and other networks. This new attraction was an immediate hit, with every map on the market selling out within two weeks of their initial availability.
The Christmas Movie Trail promotes tours in picturesque cities and towns. These locations have graced the camera for the booming film industry. The holiday movie industry makes hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Connecticut’s chief marketing officer, Anthony M. Anthony, noted that the trail is the centerpiece of a larger rebranding initiative launched in early 2023. This strategy puts Connecticut in the driver’s seat as a savvy, attractive tourist destination. It transforms the state into a desirable place to live and work.
Debbie Mayfield, owner of Mayfield Tours, had a great command of the map. She even mapped out a mini tour that takes in holiday flick hot spots in Connecticut and other Northeastern states. This marked Mayfield Tours’ inaugural Christmas tour, and it attracted a diverse group of travelers eager to experience the magic depicted in their favorite films.
Among the inspired attendees was Christina Nieves, who couldn’t wait to share how the trail had already begun to uplift her life. True to her name, she artfully persuaded her husband to attend the ceremony of lighting the tree. Then together, hand in hand, they’ll experience the Christmas parade in their hometown of Windsor Locks. Events like this are illustrative of how the trail succeeds in attracting visitors and engaging residents alike.
The tour group stopped for lunch at Heirloom Market located at Comstock Ferre. This delightful restaurant has appeared in Hallmark movies such as Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane and Rediscovering Christmas. From festive entrees to holiday décor, guests fully immersed themselves in the spirit of the season during this miraculous dining affair. Together they remembered the films that had first united them.
In Hartford, the delegation experienced the Bushnell Park Carousel. This carousel is well known as the setting for a scene from “Ghost of Christmas Always.” These cinematic backdrops offer real world links to holiday classics that have delighted audiences for generations and remain popular today. Shutterstock Holiday movies started churning out in the 1940s. Iconic classics such as “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and “Christmas in Connecticut” established the template for this beloved form of entertainment.
Holiday films—in particular those with a religious bent—have exploded in the past few years. In 2006 Hallmark found its own jackpot with its romance film “The Christmas Card.” Nowadays, networks are airing an astounding 100 new holiday films a year, increasing demand for tourism to places featured in these films. As the Christmas Movie Trail gives fans a chance to visit the real-life locations that brought their favorite tales to life.
