10/16/2026
CONGRATULATIONS Carlinville! Our very own Macoupin County community has been named Hallmark’s first-ever Merriest Christmas Town! Carlinville beat out 24 other finalists from across the country to take home the title. The winner was chosen through a combination of public votes and scores from a panel of judges. Four stars from Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas lineup: Jonathan Bennett, Erin Cahill, Tamera Mowry-Housley, and Brendan Penny were on hand for the announcement.(Read the full Secret Chicago story by Tori Levy here: https://secretchicago.com/carlinville-illinois-wins-hallmark-merriest-christmas-town-contest-2026/)