On December 8, 2019, “Christmas at Dollywood” premieres on the Hallmark Channel starring Danica McKellar, Niall Matter, and Dolly! “Christmas at Dollywood,” filmed at Dollywood, is the story of a New York City event planner (Danica McKellar) who returns to Tennessee to plan her Christmas celebration at Dollywood. Danica is paired with the head of operations (Niall Matter as Luke) who thinks he can handle the party just fine on his own. Watch as these two find a way to put on the biggest event of the season!
Watch “Christmas at Dollywood” on Sunday, December 8, at 8 PM EST/7 PM CST.
Prior to this film, Dolly and Danica have built and maintained a wonderful relationship stemming from their previous work together. Danica’s book, “Goodnight, Numbers,” is currently included in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She also read her “Goodnight, Numbers” at the Library of Congress (LOC) as part of a special event hosted by the LOC and Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Danica also narrated “The Library that Dolly Built.” This documentary explores the journey of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library from a local program to an international partnership that has now gifted over 124 million books.
You can watch these two extremely talented ladies in “Christmas at Dollywood” this December only on Hallmark.
Learn more about “Christmas at Dollywood” and Hallmark Channel’s full holiday movie line up.
Hallmark Channel announces Danica McKellar, is set as the lead of the World Premiere Original Movie, "Christmas At Dollywood," premiering in December as part of the network’s 10th Anniversary salute to its #1-rated COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS program event. Making a special appearance in the film is Dollywood’s beloved namesake, country music legend and American treasure, Dolly Parton. The film commences principal photography at the theme park in November.
In "Christmas At Dollywood," Rachel Lewis (McKellar) is a single mom and award-winning Broadway producer who learns investors have mismanaged her latest theatrical – a holiday extravaganza – into bankruptcy, forcing the show to close before it opens. Rachel is dismayed, but not for long, as her friend calls from Tennessee to let her know there is an opportunity for a seasoned pro to produce a show for the 20th anniversary of the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival at Dollywood. One caveat, Rachel learns this is a co-production with Luke Hakman, entertainment director for Dollywood.
Luke is a long-time Dollywood employee who sees the holiday show as key to him becoming the park’s next GM. With nine-year-old daughter Amy in tow, Rachel leaves New York City to return to her Appalachian mountain roots. Every night as Rachel tucks Amy into bed, she tells the child a new ADVENTURES OF AMY story, a collection of personal mother-daughter bedtime stories Rachel hopes to author someday. One night, Rachel tells Amy about a little girl following Santa Claus on his route. Using the stars as her guide, fantasy Amy travels with Santa to the Northern Lights. Rachel tells her child the lights are so magical and beautiful that Amy can always look to the night sky to find her way home. Is this an idea for the new Dollywood show? Rachel thinks so, though she will have to convince a skeptical Luke who has his own vision of success. As the pair meets in the middle to please the boss, little do Rachel and Luke realize love lurks in all the unexpected places because this isn’t the Great White Way. Or Hollywood. This is Dollywood!
“Dolly Parton is a bright light who is rich in spirit, kindness, and love. ‘Christmas At Dollywood’ features Danica McKellar in a story about finding love and new beginnings in the most familiar place -- home. A holiday movie set in a winter wonderland like Dollywood exemplifies the quality of the talent, storytelling, and filmmaking that has made COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS the #1 program event on television for ten years,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming & Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks.
Danica McKellar and Dolly Parton share a special connection to children’s literacy: both are successful authors and two of Danica’s books can be found in Dolly’s world-renowned Imagination Library.
"Christmas At Dollywood" is written by Nina Weinman. Executive Producers are Alan Ett and Bruce Hendricks.
[su_youtube url="https://youtu.be/Rvhde4QePps" height="436"]
Photo Credit: © Curtis Hilbun Dollywood
Hallmark Channel visited Dolly at her Smoky Mountain theme park for a special filming of "Home and Family," set to air May 30. The show will highlight Dollywood's unique mix of southern charm, thrill rides, amazing shows and down-home cooking.
Alyvia Alyn Lind was in attendance soaking in all the sights and sounds of Dollywood. Alyvia won the hearts of millions in 2015 when she starred as Little Dolly in the NBC hit film "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." Alyvia recalled some of Dolly's inspiration,
"She just told me that a dream is a lot bigger than a wish and she said to never give up on your dreams..."
Dolly joined "Home and Family" hosts Mark Steines and Cristina Ferrare as well as the show's family members including lifestyle expert Debbie Matenopoulos, beauty expert Kym Douglas, medical expert Matt Iseman, family man Matt Rogers, fashion designer Orly Shani, DIY expert Ken Wingard and design expert Paige Hemmis.
[masterslider id="53"]
The fourth season of "Home & Family" features not only the best in lifestyle advice but also plays host to some of Hollywood's biggest stars and most exciting music acts.
Watch "Home and Family" featuring Dolly Parton and Dollywood May 30 - June 3 on Hallmark at 10 am.
Dolly visited the set of Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family" with hosts Mark Steines and Cristina Ferrare. She shared some of her memories from her childhood growing up in East Tennessee. Dolly's childhood and family are the focus of the new movie, "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" airing on Thursday, Dec. 10 on NBC.
Cristina helped Dolly in the kitchen share her recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes from her "Dolly's Dixie Fixin's" cookbook. Before she left, Dolly and Orly Shani teamed up to show viewers how to make their very own Coat of Many Colors using treasured fabrics from their past.
At the end, Orly surprised Dolly with a little coat of many colors she had made. In true Dolly fashion, Dolly in turned surprised Orly when she put the coat on and it was a perfect fit!
See Dolly's full interview, cooking segment and crafting video on Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family" blog.
Get your own copy of "Dolly's Dixie Fixin's" cookbook above or at ImaginationLibrary.com.
