Christmas Under the Lights
Where to watch
United States14 ways
Canada3 ways
Free
Via 
JustWatch · can change anytime.
The premise
Reluctantly returning home for her family's Christmas carnival, a woman unexpectedly connects with a local artist helping with the event.
How unusual is it?
Middle of the road, with a twist — an enemies-to-lovers arc keeps it from being totally by-the-book.
Who’s in it
Alongside them
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Behind the camera
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Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The protagonist has literal conversations with the ghost/vision of her dead mother who encourages her to date the farmhand.
- The heavy focus on 'Light MasQ' therapy masks as a plot device.
- The recurring 'how do you milk an oat' joke.
- The love interest is a world-famous artist hiding as an 'alpaca-boy'.
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 38 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Setting2
Time & season3
Premise1
Characters11
💼Lead: Executive/Corporate🎨Love interest: Artist/Painter👥Social Media Influencer🐾Multiple Pets👶Cute kid🏠Returns home⏰Workaholic lead💘Matchmaking relative🐕Pet👥Celebrity
Show all 11Show fewer
Romance7
Tone & quirks6
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
The film opens with Emily Ross successfully launching a new light-therapy mask for CEO Aurora in L.A., though she is clearly disconnected from her family. Back in Meadow Grove, her brother Nick is overwhelmed by the 103 animals on their rescue farm and the upcoming 25th anniversary Christmas Carnival, which their late mother, Melody, used to run. Emily reluctantly returns home to help, immediately clashing with the local pace of life. Upon arrival, she nearly runs over Luke, a farmhand who is actually Lucas Hodges, a famous artist who retreated from the city after a difficult divorce. Initial friction between Emily and Luke softens as they are forced to collaborate on the carnival's attractions. Emily realizes the event needs a 'wow' factor and convinces Luke to create a light installation inspired by their mother’s 'stained glass' Christmas cookies. Throughout the process, Emily experiences poignant flashbacks and visions of her mother, Melody, which highlight her guilt for staying away from the farm for so long. Subplots involve Emily reconnecting with her high school friend Taylor and Nick's struggle to maintain the farm's legacy without their mother's 'manual.' Emily and Luke go on a supply run to Seattle, where they visit an empty art studio. Luke encourages Emily to 'jump off the edge' and start her own business rather than remaining a corporate cog. The conflict peaks when Aurora arrives at the farm and offers Emily a dream job as Head of Content for her entire corporation, which would require an immediate return to L.A. Luke, believing Emily will choose the city, prepares to move on. However, a final vision of her mother gives Emily the courage to choose her own path. At the carnival's climax, the light installation is a massive success. Luke reveals he has rented the studio in Seattle to return to his art. Emily counters Aurora's offer by proposing she hire Emily's new independent marketing agency instead. The film concludes with Emily and Luke planning a future together in Seattle, balancing their professional dreams with their connection to the farm.
Beat by beat
Opening
Emily is called home to Meadow Grove to help her brother Nick run the family's 25th anniversary Christmas Carnival following their mother's death.
Inciting Incident
Emily nearly runs over Luke, a mysterious farmhand who turns out to be a famous artist, Lucas Hodges, hiding from his past.
Midpoint
Emily and Luke agree to collaborate on a massive light installation for the carnival, blending her marketing skills with his artistic talent.
Turning Point
During a supply run to Seattle, Luke and Emily visit a studio space and discuss the fear of starting over and leaving their comfort zones.
Climax
Aurora offers Emily a high-level corporate job, but after a vision of her mother, Emily decides to stay in the Pacific Northwest and start her own agency.
Resolution
The carnival lights are successfully unveiled; Luke moves to Seattle for his art, and Emily becomes his neighbor and business partner/partner.
38 tropes in one movie
We counted 38 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Higher-rated than 20% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Christmas Under the Lights belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
- Best Hallmark Christmas MoviesIt is, of course, a Christmas movie.
- Hallmark Enemies-to-Lovers MoviesStarts with sparks of the wrong kind.
- Hallmark Dog & Pet MoviesA four-legged matchmaker.
- Hallmark Baking & Cooking MoviesPlenty of time in the kitchen.
- Hallmark Single Parent MoviesA single parent finds love again.
- Hallmark Small Town MoviesA classic small-town setting.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“When you turn off a light, the light particles-- they're absorbed by the walls, the ceiling, the floor. They're not gone. They're just... different energy.”
— LukeExplaining to Emily that her mother's spirit is still present. “I don't even like ranch dressing.”
— EmilyDefending her city-girl status when Nick calls her a ranch girl. “Lowkey-- your light-therapy masks slaps.”
— FynneAn influencer praising Emily's product launch.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Emily Ross
LeadMarketing Executive
AmbitiousGrievingOrganizedCity-orientedLuke Hodges
Love interestArtist/Farmhand
Love interest and collaborator
TalentedReclusivePhilosophicalKindNick Ross
SupportingRescue Farm Owner
Brother
StoicHardworkingAnimal-loverAurora
SupportingCEO of Light MasQ
Boss/Client
CorporateDemandingSuccessfulTaylor
SupportingMother/Local
High school best friend
EnergeticLoyalHumorous
Questions people ask about Christmas Under the Lights
Where can I watch Christmas Under the Lights?
Christmas Under the Lights is available via fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Philo. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Christmas Under the Lights?
Christmas Under the Lights runs about 1 hour and 24 minutes, and was released in 2024.
Is Christmas Under the Lights a Christmas movie?
Yes. Christmas Under the Lights is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.
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