Hallmark’s holiday lineup gets a touch of time travel this season with A Newport Christmas, directed by Dustin Rikert (A Biltmore Christmas) and written by Joie Botkin (A Heidelberg Holiday, A Christmas Carousel). This festive romance blends history, fantasy, and heart as it takes viewers from the Gilded Age of 1905 to the Christmas lights of modern-day 2025.
A Newport Christmas Filming Locations
A Newport Christmas was filmed across New York and Rhode Island, specifically in Erie County, Niagara County, and Newport. Principal photography began in March 2025 and continued for six weeks before wrapping in late April. The mix of historic New York architecture and Newport’s coastal elegance created the perfect backdrop for both 1905 and modern-day storylines.
Erie County, New York
The production’s main base was in Buffalo, where filmmakers utilized Buffalo FilmWorks at 370 Babcock Street. The massive studio space allowed the team to build intricate period sets, including an authentic replica of an 1885 fishing boat restored by the Buffalo Maritime Center.
Director Dustin Rikert shared that the city’s growing film infrastructure and New York State’s tax incentives made it an ideal choice of filming.
The InnBuffalo hotel at 619 Lafayette Avenue was transformed into a festive holiday venue, adorned with garlands, lights, and ornaments for Christmas Eve ball scenes. A large-scale casting call was issued for extras playing tuxedoed guests, corseted women, ballroom dancers, violinists, and even Santa Clauses, bringing 1905 elegance and holiday magic to life.
In Akron, Russell Park at 110 Main Street was turned into a snow-covered wonderland for outdoor Christmas scenes. Horse-drawn carriages and period costumes helped transform Main Street into a turn-of-the-century festive town.
Niagara County, New York
The team later moved to Youngstown, where Main Street became the centerpiece of the film’s fictional Newport. In Youngstown, the crew transformed sections of Main Street into charming Newport locales. Popular local businesses were temporarily rebranded for the film:
- Youngstown Village Diner (425 Main St)
- Petey’s Treats (431 Main St)
- Everything Youngstown gift shop (435 Main St)
The historic Ontario House (The Stone Jug) at 358 Main Street was redesigned to serve multiple purposes in the movie – from a 1905 bar to a cozy 2025 coffee shop named Brewed Awakenings.
Actress Ginna Claire Mason, who plays Ella, filmed scenes aboard a sailboat on the nearby harbor, bringing the story’s maritime element to life. For interior scenes, the production used an 1880s home to represent the Grafton Estate, Ella’s grand family residence, rich in period details and holiday charm.
Newport, Rhode Island
Returning to where the story begins, the crew filmed additional footage in Newport – the movie’s namesake and emotional heart. The shoot of A Newport Christmas marked Hallmark’s first Rhode Island-based Christmas film since A Season for Miracles in 1999.
Bowen’s Wharf and the historic Thames Street were illuminated with wreaths, garlands, and golden lights to recreate Newport’s festive spirit. Local residents were invited to participate as extras, giving the shoot a hometown spirit.
A Newport Christmas Cast
Ginna Claire Mason shines as Ella, the spirited socialite from 1905. A Hallmark favorite, Mason has previously starred in A Heidelberg Holiday, A Holiday Spectacular, and Hats Off to Love. Known for her Broadway work in Wicked, Newsies, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mason brings both grace and strength to her role.
Wes Brown stars as Nick, the modern-day historian who helps Ella adjust to life in 2025. Brown is no stranger to Hallmark audiences, with credits including Christmas Cookies, Love Under the Stars, and June in January. Outside acting, he’s also a talented musician and outdoor enthusiast.
Supporting cast members include:
- Paige Cummings as Ada
- Joseph Dellger as Albert
- Amanda Marie Lungaro as Sharon
- Tracey B. Wilson as Grafton
- Jon Cesar as the servant
- Joshua Cole as Newport resident
- Lauren Issa and Peter Johnson as dock tourists
- Maxwell Sebastian and Bill Smith as pedestrians
- Lila Ang as Christmas shopper
- Dave Sutton as a ball guest
David O’Donnell, Talia Robinson, and Evan Alexander Smith in supporting roles
Behind the Scenes
Director Dustin Rikert, who also helmed A Biltmore Christmas, once again merges history and heart in this film. Working alongside Hallmark writer Joie Botkin, Rikert crafted a story that celebrates hope, heritage, and holiday spirit. This marks the first Hallmark movie set in Rhode Island since 1999’s A Season for Miracles, a long-awaited return to one of America’s most beautiful coastal cities. Newport’s historic waterfront and old-world charm perfectly mirror the movie’s central theme of blending past and present.
When Does A Newport Christmas Premiere?
Hallmark’s A Newport Christmas premieres on Sunday, November 02, 2025, at 8/7c as part of the network’s Countdown to Christmas event. Following its TV debut, it will stream on Hallmark Movies Now and be available for rewatch on Hallmark’s app.
If you’re planning to watch the movie on big screen, the movie will re-air on:
- Nov 4 at 10/9c
- Nov 8 at 10/9c
- Nov 12 at 8/7c
- Nov 29 at 12a/11c
- Dec 23 at 2/1c
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