Portsmouth is officially in the running to become Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town of 2026.
The city has been named one of 25 finalists in the national contest, giving Portsmouth a shot at something that sounds like it was pulled straight from a holiday movie — because it kind of is.
The winning town will have the opportunity to serve as the filming location for a future Hallmark holiday movie.
Friends of Portsmouth announced the news and urged residents to keep voting and sharing.
“GUESS WHAT, PORTSMOUTH?! WE’RE A FINALIST!” the group posted.
Now the community has to bring it home.
Voting is open through Sept. 4, and anyone 18 or older can vote once per day at:
merriestchristmastownscontest.hallmarkchannel.com
Friends of Portsmouth thanked Eli Cole for nominating Portsmouth and helping put the city in the running.
The Hallmark contest says 25 towns were selected for bringing the spirit of Christmas to life through traditions, celebrations, and a strong sense of community.
After voting closes, Hallmark judges will review the finalists based on community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm, and goodwill.
That puts Portsmouth in familiar territory.
The city has already built a reputation as one of Ohio’s most festive holiday towns thanks to Winterfest, Market Square Park, the Boneyfiddle District, holiday lights, carriage rides, food trucks, vendors, and community events that turn downtown into a Christmas destination.
Portsmouth also got a major holiday boost in 2019 when it was named the Hallmark Channel’s Hometown Christmas Town. That recognition helped put the city’s Winterfest celebration on the map and led to write-ups on travel sites across Ohio.
Winterfest has since become one of the city’s signature events, bringing families downtown for ice skating, lights, food, shopping, and small-town Christmas charm.
Now Portsmouth has a chance to take that holiday reputation even further.
A Hallmark movie filmed here would not just be a fun bragging right. It would bring attention to downtown Portsmouth, local businesses, historic buildings, the riverfront, Boneyfiddle, and the kind of community spirit that has kept Winterfest growing year after year.
For now, the job is simple.
Vote once a day. Share the link. Remind your friends. Send it to the family group chat.
Portsmouth has already made the top 25.
Now it needs enough Christmas spirit to win.
