Winter Wonderlanes is a 2026 holiday romance movie from Hallmark Media, made by Fireside Pictures. It is directed by Max McGuire. The story is credited to Alan Donahue, and Barbara Kymlicka wrote the teleplay.
The cast includes Ashley Newbrough as Audrey Bell and Franco Lo Presti as Jason Miller, with Nicole Amber Farrugia, Savannah Meslin, Michael Gordin Shore, Susan Hamann and Carlisle J. Williams. It was filmed in Ontario, Canada, in and around Ottawa.
Audrey travels the world running pop-up restaurants. She comes home for Thanksgiving and hears that her late grandfather’s bowling alley, Wonderlanes, is about to be sold. She agrees to stay one more holiday season and brings back the youth bowling tournament. To get the word out, she teams up with Jason, a local reporter who is also her high school boyfriend.
Winter Wonderlanes premiered on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel, as part of the Countdown to Christmas lineup. It was on Hallmark+ the next day, and it runs about 85 minutes.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was Winter Wonderlanes Filmed?
| Film Name | Winter Wonderlanes |
|---|---|
| Genres | Romance, Comedy, Holiday |
| Filming Locations | Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada |
| Filming Dates | April 20, 2026 to early May 2026 (reported) |
| Location Management by | Nikeel Weizman |
| Release Date | October 23, 2026 |
Moviedelic reports that filming began on April 20, 2026, and wrapped by the end of the first week of May. We could not check that against a Hallmark source, so please treat the dates as reported. We could not confirm who handled the cinematography, and we will add it as soon as it is credited.
📍Ottawa, Ontario
The story is set in a small hometown, but the cameras stayed in Ottawa and the area around it. Hallmark has shot many of its holiday movies in eastern Ontario, and our Canada page lists more films shot across the country. CTV News Ottawa says much of the movie was filmed at the bowling alley and at other places around the city.
📍Orléans Bowling Centre, Orléans, Ottawa
This is the main named location, and it stands in for the fictional Wonderlanes. The crew filmed there over seven nights, after the bowling centre closed for the day. Co-owner Roch Henry said it was great to see the place decorated for Christmas, and that it was the biggest production they had hosted. The venue had only hosted smaller shoots before. Regular bowlers noticed their own lanes on screen.
Visiting: It is a working bowling centre, so please check opening hours before you go.
📍Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm, Ottawa Valley
According to the farm’s own Facebook page, as reported by Parade, part of the movie was filmed at Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm in the Ottawa Valley. One site places the farm in Pakenham, but we could not confirm that. We could not confirm which scenes were shot there.
Visiting: Christmas tree farms are usually open only in the holiday season, so please check before you go.
📍Other Areas of Ottawa
A few websites name the Elmdale Tavern in Hintonburg as the bowling alley, and one lists Almonte and the Wellington West district. CTV News names the Orléans Bowling Centre, so we are treating the Elmdale Tavern claim as unconfirmed. We could not confirm any other exact venue. Another Hallmark movie in our Canada guides is The Spirit of Halloween.
Winter Wonderlanes Behind the Scenes
To make your search for Winter Wonderlanes filming even more interesting, here is what the cast has shared so far. After filming, Michael Gordin Shore posted on Instagram that he had “a fabulous time” with the cast and crew.
Fun fact: Ashley Newbrough and Franco Lo Presti had already worked together before this movie, including the 2025 film A Christmas Cookbook. Lo Presti is also known for the series Heated Rivalry. Girls Gone Hallmark notes that Max McGuire also directed Noel Next Door. If you like Hallmark movies shot in Canada, our guides to Mr. & Mrs. Christmas and A Knight to Remember are good next reads.
We will add more cast and crew Instagram posts and set photos here as soon as they are shared.
We could not find an official trailer. Hallmark shared a sneak peek and publicity photos before the premiere. They show Audrey and Jason inside the decorated bowling alley, and Jason in a Santa suit.
Winter Wonderlanes premiered on Hallmark Channel on October 23 and is on Hallmark+. It is part of the Countdown to Christmas lineup, which usually re-airs movies through the season, so please check Hallmark’s schedule for repeat times.
FAQs
Q1: Where was Winter Wonderlanes filmed?
A1: It was filmed in Ontario, Canada, in and around Ottawa. The bowling alley scenes were shot at the Orléans Bowling Centre.
Q2: When was Winter Wonderlanes filmed?
A2: Filming reportedly began on April 20, 2026, and ended in early May.
Q3: Is Wonderlanes a real bowling alley?
A3: No. Wonderlanes is a fictional name. The scenes were shot at the real Orléans Bowling Centre in Ottawa.
Q4: Who is in the cast of Winter Wonderlanes?
A4: Ashley Newbrough plays Audrey Bell and Franco Lo Presti plays Jason Miller. Nicole Amber Farrugia, Savannah Meslin and Michael Gordin Shore are also in the cast.
Q5: Can I visit the filming locations?
A5: The Orléans Bowling Centre is a public business, but please check opening hours first. The Christmas tree farm is seasonal, so check before you go.
Q6: Where can I watch Winter Wonderlanes?
A6: It premiered on Hallmark Channel on October 23, 2026, and is available on Hallmark+.
Winter Wonderlanes was filmed in and around Ottawa, with the Orléans Bowling Centre standing in for the bowling alley.
Discover more from A2Z Filming Location
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.