How to have a Hallmark Christmas in Mystic, Connecticut

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Before the 2023 holidays season began, Hallmark graced us with a movie based in Mystic, Connecticut. The movie, Mystic Christmas starred Jessy Schram, Chandler Massey and Patti Murin. We follow Juniper (Jessy Schram) who comes to Mystic to work at the rehabilitation center at Mystic Aquarium. She previously had a fling with Sawyer (Chandler Massey) who owns a pizza shop. They reconnected again and Juniper has to decide if she wants to stay in Mystic permanently. Fun fact: Tim from Mystic Pizza movie made an appearance in this movie too!

This movie is a love letter to Mystic! It was so fun to recognize all the familiar places in the movie. I thought I’d share here how you can re-create your own version of Mystic Christmas by visiting the filming locations:

MYSTIC AQUARIUM

It’s a real life aquarium with a rehabilitation center! Mystic Aquarium has a rehabilitation center helping rescued seals from beaches across CT and beyond. During the day hours, you can attend a seal show. That’s always my favorite part! To add a Christmas touch to your visit at the aquarium, I’d recommend you to check out the Home for Holidays — Lights Extravaganza event. It happens on selected nights where you can have a holiday stroll through the aquarium at night, enjoy the aquarium decorated in holiday lights.

MANGO’S PIZZA

The pizza shop is based at Mango’s Pizza in Olde Mistick Village. The pizza are really good, even earned a visit from Barstool Pizza Review with Dave Portnoy. The environment is very cozy and perfect for a lunch during your Christmas visit to Mystic.

SIFT BAKE SHOP

There is a lot of love for Sift in Mystic! It made quite a few appearances in the movie. I highly recommend you to go visit early in the morning before the lines gets long (trust me, they do!). You can’t go wrong with any pastries they offer from croissants, macarons, cookies and more. During the month of December, they have specials such as peppermint croissant and peppermint macarons.

FRIAR TUCK’S TAVERN

One scene in the movie showed the crew going to Friar Tuck’s Tavern for trivia night. I love eating at Friar Tuck’s and have been since they opened in their old location! They do host trivia nights so be sure to check their social media for specific nights. The bar is also decorated with the cutest Santa sleeves on the chairs.

HARBOR VIEW LANDING

The two homes (Candice’s house and the one Junpier stayed in) are located at Harbor View Landing. It is a luxury waterfront stay that you can rent. Make a weekend out of it and stay in the very house where they filmed (either Bluff House Floor 1 or Nantucket Cottage)!

DOWNTOWN MYSTIC & RIVER PARK

Several scenes shows Junpier and Sawyer walking across the drawbridge and the festival in Mystic River Park. While there won’t be a festival, you can enjoy the Christmas tree in the park! The downtown area is also decorated for the holidays where you can support the small businesses!

BANK SQUARE BOOKS

In one of the scenes, they went to Bank Square Books to pick out books for each other. While the filming location was at the former location in Downtown, they have since then moved to Stonington town line (80 Stonington Rd). The charm and books selection are the same at the new location. Worth a stop to pick up your holiday reads!

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM

There were many scenes filmed at Mystic Seaport Museum. South Entrance building was featured as the train station and where they had the town meetings in the movie.

Anchor Cafe and Sweets was where Junpier meets Sawyer again. It is a cafe located in the Mystic Seaport Museum gift shop offering food and drinks.

In the opening scene when Juniper was at a holiday party for work, it was inside the North Entrance building.

Lantern Lights Village was featured in the movie too. It is an annual event happening at Mystic Seaport Museum during December on selected nights. Be sure to check their website for more details and information.

Several more scenes were filmed at the Seaport. It is a beautiful grounds with seafaring history. December is one of my favorite months to visit because the grounds is decorated with beautiful seasonal garlands and wreaths.

HOLIDAY LIGHTED BOAT PARADE

The annual lighted boat parade was featured in the movie. The event has passed for 2024, but if you’re considering to come to Mystic for a future Christmas themed trip — definitely look into coming for the parade! It’s unique and always fun.

ABBOTT’S LOBSTER

The filming location took place at Abbott’s Outpost in Downtown Mystic which is no longer opened anymore. I do suggest a visit to Abbott’s in Noank during spring/summer!

ESKER POINT BEACH

The seal release in the movie happened at Esker Point Beach in Groton, Connecticut. While you won’t see an actual seal release (unfortunately!), the scenery at Esker is beautiful. From the shore, you can see Morgan Point Lighthouse and Mouse Island (an island with three homes). It is a small beach so it would be a quick stop to appreciate the beautiful shoreline.

Mystic is a beautiful coastal town with charm! Especially during the holidays. I’m so glad that Hallmark could see that and decided to capture it in the movie. I’m not the biggest fan of cheesy movies but this was a very well done movie portraying Mystic at Christmas time. There is plenty more to do in Mystic during Christmas which you can read more here: Celebrate Christmas in Mystic, Connecticut.

Happy Holidays!