Merry Memories (2026) is a new Hallmark Channel Christmas movie starring Lindura and Brendan Morgan. It premieres Friday, November 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET as part of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas.
It’s a heartwarming story about a buttoned-up accountant, her young nephew and the free-spirited substitute teacher who helps them make a Christmas scrapbook for the boy’s mom, who is deployed overseas with the military. It’s a gentle opposites-attract romance with a family story at its heart, so you’ll want a tissue close by.
The timing matters too. Merry Memories premieres just days before Veterans Day, and Hallmark is airing an encore on November 11.
Here’s everything to know about where Merry Memories was filmed, plus the cast, plot, how to watch and every re-airing time.
About Merry Memories (2026)
Michaela is a rigid, everything-in-its-place accountant. When her brother needs help caring for his young son, Danny, while Danny’s mom is deployed over Christmas, Michaela steps in.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Premiere date | Friday, November 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT) |
| Network | Hallmark Channel |
| Streaming | Hallmark+ from November 7, 2026 |
| Event | Countdown to Christmas 2026 (week four) |
| Genre | Holiday romance, family |
| Director | Amy Force |
| Writer | Barbara Kymlicka |
| Production companies | Johnson Production Group, Studio TF1 America, Fireside Pictures |
| Runtime | 1 hr 23 min (without commercials) |
| Rating | TV-G |
| Filmed in | Ontario, Canada |
Then Danny gets a school assignment: make a holiday scrapbook for his mom. Michaela reluctantly accepts help from Danny’s substitute teacher, Bryan, whose creative, go-with-the-flow approach clashes with her love of precision. As the three of them set out to capture festive moments, the mishaps turn into new family traditions, and sparks start to fly.
There’s a catch. Bryan is a traveling substitute who plans to leave town after Christmas. Michaela has to decide whether she’s ready to let love shake up her carefully ordered life, while Bryan starts rethinking his future.
Where was Merry Memories filmed?
Merry Memories was filmed in Ontario, Canada. Ottawa appears to be the main location. Though, Hallmark hasn’t released an official list of filming locations.
The clearest clue comes from the movie itself. One scene shows Tin House Court in the background, decorated for Christmas. Tin House Court is a small courtyard in Ottawa’s ByWard Market, known for the old tin house facade mounted on one of its walls.
The production company points to Ottawa too. Merry Memories comes from Johnson Production Group, an Ottawa-based company behind many Hallmark Christmas movies. Ottawa has become one of Hallmark’s go-to holiday towns. Another 2026 Countdown to Christmas movie, Winter Wonderlanes, was also shot there at the Orléans Bowling Centre.
| Location | What we know |
|---|---|
| ByWard Market, Ottawa | Visible on screen, decorated for Christmas |
| Tin House Court, Ottawa | Seen in the background of a scene |
| Hamilton, Ontario | Reported by some outlets (including Ancaster, Dundas and Gage Park), but not confirmed |
The festive outdoor market scenes in Hallmark’s promotional photos fit the ByWard Market setting. That neighborhood is one of Ottawa’s oldest public markets, with historic buildings and courtyards.
We’ll update this section if Hallmark or local film offices confirm more specific spots. If you recognize a location from the movie, tell us in the comments.
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Merry Memories Cast
| Actor | Character | You may know them from |
|---|---|---|
| Lindura | Michaela | Sullivan’s Crossing, Believe in Christmas, Much About Love |
| Brendan Morgan | Bryan | Mistletoe Murders, Bachelor in Paradise Canada, Meet Me Next Christmas |
| Omi Fitzpatrick-Gonzales | Danny | – |
| Elana Dunkelman | Val | – |
| Sarah Hillier | Jules | – |
| Duane Keogh | Frank | – |
| Eze Leno | Josh | – |
| George Catherwood | Wesley | – |
Lindura as Michaela
Lindura makes her Hallmark leading-lady debut after several supporting roles, including Much About Love earlier in 2026. TV viewers may recognize her from the drama Sullivan’s Crossing. Here she plays a woman whose whole life runs on spreadsheets, until a messy, glitter-covered Christmas project gets in the way.
Brendan Morgan as Bryan
Brendan Morgan is having a busy holiday season. Alongside Merry Memories, he appears in the third season of Hallmark’s Mistletoe Murders as part of Emily Lane’s past. The Pickering, Ontario, native first became known to Canadian audiences through Bachelor in Paradise Canada. He made his Hallmark debut in Christmas with a Kiss.
Omi Fitzpatrick-Gonzales as Danny
Young Omi Fitzpatrick-Gonzales plays Danny, the boy at the center of the scrapbook project. Early reviews say his performance carries much of the film’s emotional weight.
The Team Behind Merry Memories
Barbara Kymlicka wrote Merry Memories. She’s a veteran Hallmark writer who also wrote the teleplay for Winter Wonderlanes earlier this season. Director Amy Force previously directed Hallmark’s spring 2026 movie To Philly with Love.
Where to watch Merry Memories?
Merry Memories premieres on Hallmark Channel and streams the next day on Hallmark+.
| Platform | How to watch | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Hallmark Channel | Live TV (cable, satellite or live-TV streaming) | Premieres Nov 6 at 8 p.m. ET |
| Hallmark+ | Subscription streaming ($9/month or $80/year) | From Nov 7 |
| Hallmark+ on Prime Video | Add-on channel ($9/month) | From Nov 7 |
| DirecTV MyEntertainment Genre Pack | Live TV streaming bundle that includes Hallmark Channel | Live airings |
| Peacock | Not available | Hallmark movies left Peacock in 2025 |
Watching from outside the US? Hallmark+ is mainly available in the US. Availability in other countries depends on local broadcasters. For readers in India, the 8 p.m. ET premiere airs at 6:30 a.m. IST on Saturday, November 7.
Merry Memories Re-Airing Times (Encores)
Missed the premiere? Hallmark Channel is airing Merry Memories again several times this month:
| Date | Time (ET) | Time (CT) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 6 | 8:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. | World premiere |
| Saturday, November 7 | 6:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. | Encore |
| Wednesday, November 11 | 10:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Veterans Day encore |
| Thursday, November 19 | 6:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. | Encore |
Hallmark often adds more encores during the Countdown to Christmas season, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas week. Check your local listings or the Hallmark Channel schedule for extra airings.
Is Merry Memories suitable for Kids?
Yes. Merry Memories is rated TV-G and is suitable for the whole family. There’s no violence or bad language. The emotional moments come from a child missing his deployed mother. Military families may find it especially touching, and younger viewers might have questions about deployment.
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