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Hallmark Channel Counting down to Christmas continues this weekend with Adopting St. Nickstarry Amy Groening and Michael Raddy!
The new holiday film premieres Saturday night (October 31) and follows Maren (Greasing), a single mother raising her adopted daughter Leah (Taylor Blake) while running the hardware store that belonged to her late father.
Maren spends so much time helping everyone around her that she has little left for herself. Things start to change when Leah wants to participate in the Christmas Companions program at a local retirement community called Jolly Acres.
There, they meet two people who just might change their lives: a Santa-like resident named Kris (Randy Apostle) and Reid (Council), which helps open new retirement communities across the country.
Keep reading to find out more about the Adopting St. Nick plot, cast, filming locations and how to watch!
What is Adopting St. Nick about?
Here’s the official synopsis from Hallmark.
Maren (Greasing) is a busy single mother to her daughter, Leah (Taylor Blake). As the owner of her late father’s hardware store, she can often be found helping to fix almost anything for the other locals, leaving little time for herself. When given the opportunity to participate in the Christmas Companions program at Jolly Acres, a new and still thriving retirement community in town, Leah excitedly jumps at the chance as she misses having a grandfather in her life.
Much to Leah’s delight, she is paired with Kris (Randy Apostle), a cheerful resident who bears an uncanny resemblance to Santa Claus. While there, Maren crosses paths with the mobile Reid (Council), the center’s Community Launch and Operations Director whose job has been traveling from facility to facility to launch new branches. But the Christmas Companions program is soon in jeopardy because the contractor for the center’s community room is suddenly pulling out.
Seeing how happy the program brings Leah and Kris, the always helpful Maren offers to finish the project. As she spends more time at the center with Reid, Maren slowly realizes that it’s okay to let others in, accept help and stop the whole load. Reid begins to question whether he should accept his next assignment that will take him far away from the people and the facility that has begun to feel like home. With the help of Christmas magic – and a little help from Kris – everyone finds where they are from.
Who is the star Adopting St. Nick?
Amy Groening stars like Maren. The Canadian actress has become a household name among Hallmark viewers and has appeared in more than 10 films for the network, including Santa Summit. Outside of Hallmark, she has appeared on shows including Kingdom, Backpackers and Mr. D. She also earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination for her work in the film A bone cage.
Michael Raddy playing Reid. You may recognize immediately Michael like Kostas from Sister of the Traveling Parents and its sequel. His television credits also include Chicago Med, Magnum P.I, The Balancer, New Amsterdam, Jane the Virginand Unusual. He has also appeared in several Hallmark movies over the years.
The support set includes Taylor Blake as Leah daughter of Marain, and Randy Apostle as Kris, the Santa-like Jolly Acres resident who helps give the film its title.
Where was Adopting St. Nick filming?
Adopting St. Nick was reportedly filmed in and around Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in the summer of 2026, according to Moviedelic. The place also has a special connection to Sillyborn in Winnipeg. She shared while promoting the film that working in her hometown made the experience especially important.
The production reportedly filmed around town in August, with Winnipeg standing in for the film’s small-town setting and fictional retirement community Jolly Acres.
How to look Adopting St. Nick
Accepting St. Nick premieres Saturday, October 31 at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel.
If you can’t watch the premiere live, Hallmark confirms that the movie will start streaming Hallmark+ the following day, Sunday, November 1.
Hallmark has also recorded several additional television programs:
- Sunday, November 1 at 6/5c
- Friday, November 6 at 10/9c
- Tuesday, November 10 at 8/7c
- Sunday, November 29 at 8am/7pm
Accepting St. Nick is part of Hallmark Channel 2026 Counting down to Christmas program schedule.
Posted in: Holiday Movies Amy Groening Hallmark Channel Michael Rady
