Why This Oregon Mountain Town Should Be the Next Hallmark Movie Location

Hallmark movies don’t necessarily have a reputation for being celebrated works of cinema. Truthfully, these movies aren’t actually made for the cinema, but are more for streaming (or back in the day, television or DVDs). But what is a Hallmark movie? These are films created by the Hallmark Channel (or connected channels) and have become famous for their repetitive plot lines and themes, and centering each script around specific holidays.

In other words, Hallmark movies are typically love stories set in small towns around the holidays (usually Christmas), with themes of friendship, kindness, and family, as well as an overarching "wholesome" feel. Due to the popularity of these movies around the holidays, many people search out similarly decorated and cozy towns to visit for their classic "Hallmark movie magic moment." Fortunately, for us here in Oregon, we don't have to travel far.

So, where should they film their next movie? Well, although there have been a few Hallmark movies set in Oregon, the popular town of Bend hasn’t been chosen yet. This seems odd as Bend seems to be a clear choice as it offers exactly what Hallmark movie fans are looking for.

To be more detailed, Bend feels like a small town despite its growing popularity and resulting size. The quaint and historic downtown area is lined with trees, and the storefronts are filled with mom-and-pop stores and local business owners rather than large, big-name chain stores. Bend puts a lot of effort into its community, and this is reflected in the love that the locals give back to the city—going all-in for holidays and supporting local businesses as much as possible. Really, the city is just downright charming during Christmas, with lights everywhere, themed displays, parades, and festivals (SantaLand, the Holiday Lights Paddle Parade, the Bend Christmas Parade, etc).

And yet, the most obvious charm of Bend hasn’t even been touched on yet—the surrounding natural landscape. Bend sits firmly in central Oregon between the Cascade Mountain Range, the Blue Mountains, and multiple national forests. Crater Lake is to the south, and the Columbia River Gorge and Columbia Hills are to the north. Although Bend is technically located in a high-desert, the surrounding mountains, multiple water features (the Deschutes River being a particular favorite of locals and tourists alike), and numerous forests can make one feel as if they’re in any classic Pacific Northwest movie. Then, combine that with nearby state parks that feature both canyons and old volcanic activity (looking for obsidian, anyone?), and you’ve got a city that can appeal to any type of nature lover imaginable. 

This picturesque city with a close-knit community knows how to have a good time, and although multiple events are held throughout the year to capitalize on local desires (as well as tourism, of course), nothing beats Bend during Christmastime. But, even if the lights and local cheer are not enough to convince you, let the vast possibilities for potential activities between romantic leads do so, with hiking, skiing, snowboarding, floating, boating, fishing, biking, rafting, and more all available nearby. Clearly, Bend is a city rife with possibilities, and should be considered as a location for a future Hallmark movie.

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