Along with It Was Always You, An Unexpected Christmas is one of the movies that made me fall in love with the Hallmark Channel universe for good. Surprisingly, both films star Tyler Hynes and directed by Michael Robison. To this day, it’s still in the top 5 of my favorite Christmas movies. The writing is very funny and well-written, I love the chemistry between Tyler and Bethany and all the supporting characters. I found out late that Paul Campbell is the screenwriter, and that makes my appreciation of this production 100% stronger. Bethany’s outfits are flawless. Not to mention the nod to Notting Hill, my favorite film. If you haven’t seen this little gem, don’t wait to check it out. At the end of the post, you’ll find a Google map with all the locations saved!
Governor Hayward Headquarter
Jamie works for Governor Hayward of Illinois for a month when he is given the task of writing her Christmas speech. A huge responsibility for the politician whose poll numbers are dropping.
The venue used by the governor’s team and supporters is in fact a beautiful, trendy boutique selling home decor and local products. The displays and various cabinets were removed for the shoot, but the counter and brick wall are still visible.
Fulton’s train station
Jamie and his ex Emily find themselves getting off the same train at Fulton train station for Christmas, where Jamie is from. His entire family is here to welcome him, and they all believe Emily is part of the trip. Later, Jamie picks up his colleague Gina at the station. And it’s still at the same station that Jamie declares his love for Emily at the end of the movie.
The illusion is perfect, but this building is actually the Mennonite Heritage Museum in Abbotsford. The entrance and café function as a waiting room and station lobby.
Jamie’s Family Home
Diane and Tom are the pushy parents we all dream of having. They love each other, they’re fun and sweet, and they have a big house that can accommodate the whole family for the Holidays. Jamie and his sister Becca grew up in this house, and make a habit of hiding in the shed to tell each other their secrets.
Unusual for a Hallmark film, this house is used for both exterior and interior scenes. The living room, the porch, the bedrooms and the kitchen are the true living spaces of this Mt Lehman residence. And the best part is that you can visit this house and other beautiful properties in the area on two weekends in December as part of the Mt Lehman Christmas Home Tour.
Fulton Main Street
This street in Fulton is where the coffee shop, the bar and the restaurant and other local businesses are located. Jamie and Emily take several walks here.
The café is the Duft and Co Bakehouse on Montrose Avenue, the historic center of Abbotsford. The lounge bar and Indian restaurant are just a few meters away.
Fulton’s auditorium
Becca volunteers to direct the children’s Christmas show starring her son Scotty. Jamie spends several rehearsals with his sister complaining about his fate. He ends up playing the role of a unicorn to replace an injured performer. Only because his sister threatens to reveal his secret. Backstage, Jamie and Emily have a big fight, and Jamie’s parents find out about the ruse.
What could be better than a real auditorium to perform a show scene? So I simply searched for show venues, starting with the city of Abbotsford, and the first find was the right one! It’s at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium that Tyler Hynes plays a unicorn. Simple as that.
Melody’s Jazz Bar
After an afternoon together, Jamie and Emily decide to have a drink in a live music bar in Fulton. Frustrated with the situation, Emily gets a little too chatty with the waiter. She shares with him that Jamie and she are pretending to be a couple in the eyes of Jamie’s parents.
For the record, Andrew Walker makes a cameo appearance in this scene as a bar customer who nearly bumps into Tyler. In reality, Andrew doesn’t come through the bar’s front door, but through the restroom. I can’t remember exactly how I found this location, but it happens to be in the same building as the restaurant in the next scene. The entire property is now closed and has been sold, along with the Vicinity Lounge, which used to be a karaoke bar.
Mama Meroni’s Italian Restaurant
The whole family, Emily and Gina, have dinner at an Italian restaurant. Jamie and Emily try to avoid the waiter, who knows all about their scheme.
I’m not sure how rare Italian restaurants are in Abbotsford, but it’s an Indian place that’s been revamped for this scene. It’s located upstairs from the Lounge Bar establishment. This business (New Passage of India) is also unfortunately closed.
Fulton’s Inn
Emily refuses to stay with Jamie’s parents, demanding to stay at the city inn. Jamie drives her there, and convinces her to return home with him. Later, Jamie and Emily walk by the fountain in front of the inn for a romantic moment.
I was very naive to think that the fountain would help me find this place. It didn’t, and then I came across this post of actress Greer Grammer shooting at the same location. I went through her filmography, found the movie in question and watched it. It turns out that behind this inn, there’s a whole fake town square and gazebo. After several hours of research, I found that it’s actually a huge private property. It was once open to the public with lavender fields under the name Beulah Land Lavender Garden. The satellite view confirmed the fountain, the inn and all the structures behind. And yes, I go through a lot of trouble to find a shooting location!
I didn’t find…
Emily’s office. I thought they’d used the same store as for the Governor’s headquarters, but the staircase leading down and walls doesn’t match.
Any idea?
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If you’re tempted to explore the locations of this lovely movie, here are all the locations previously mentioned on a map in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Feel free to share your discovery with me in the comments.