Hallmark holiday movies are typically set in a charming-yet-generic small town in America, yet the vast majority of these made-for-TV movies are actually filmed in Canada, most notably Vancouver. In fact, several Vancouver-area suburbs — particularly the British Columbia cities of Langley, Maple Ridge, and Squamish — can lay claim to hosting dozens of Hallmark holiday movies over the years.
In fact, filming Hallmark productions has become so prevalent in Maple Ridge that the city has its own film production liaison, Marg Johnson, who receives more requests to film there than she can accommodate. "I've actually had to turn away a few productions," she told CBC News. "I have to be a little more discerning now."
Nearby Langley has also been the setting of countless Hallmark productions. Speaking with the Aldergrove Star, Teri James, executive director of the Downtown Langley Business Association, outlined some of the benefits that keep Hallmark coming back year after year, including a special tax break and local businesses that are "very supportive of filming." She added that "the vibe of the 'mom and pop' downtown works very well for many of the movies that are filmed here."
