The Hallmark Channel, a Christmas rom-com movie heavyweight, kicked off its annual “Countdown to Christmas” series of holiday movies last weekend, and one of the first titles on its roster was “Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story.”
The “Holiday Touchdown” series previously focused on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, with the third entry taking us to the Windy City. There are plenty of Chicago cameos sprinkled throughout.
The story revolves around freelance reporter Avery Clark (Lyndsy Fonseca), who is tasked with writing a feature on Darlene (Heidi Musec), a Bears fan who is slated to attend her 500th game. As Avery spends time getting to know Darlene, the meddling matchmaker manages to always have an excuse to have her grandson, Chicago firefighter Matt Donnelly (Robert Buckley), around.
“Holiday Touchdown” was filmed in Chicago this summer, and snippets from all over the city fill the movie, such as sweeping views of the downtown skyline and the Wrigley Building, the arrival of a CTA train at the Chicago Blue Line stop, a shot of the Chicago Theatre’s iconic sign, the giant City of Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park, the riverwalk dusted in snow and the Art Institute lions decked in holiday wreaths.
Here are all of the Chicago-related cameos, from notable filming locations and Bears appearances to small mentions and Easter eggs you may have missed.
Soldier Field
The movie starts with a flashback to the 1970s outside Soldier Field, where Darlene and her late husband Bernie (Nathan Adams Stark) go on a first date and start to fall in love. The football stadium continues to make appearances throughout the film, including scenes filmed in the Skyline Suite and at Waldron Deck, a shot that featured real-life Bears fans.
Wrigley Field
Bernie recalls going to see the Bears play at Wrigley Field with his grandfather. The football team called Wrigley home from 1921 to 1970. One of the opening montages of Chicago also includes a shot of the Wrigley Field marquee sporting a Merry Christmas greeting.
Chicago Bears
The movie features snippets of archival footage of actual Bears games, including a brief shot of Dick Butkus and celebratory clips after the Bears beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XX in 1986.
Many scenes feature Bears merch and memorabilia, such as Darlene’s jersey signed by members of the 1985 team, including Refrigerator Perry, Walter Payton and Mike Singletary. Many Bears organization staffers also appear in background roles throughout the movie.
Irish Nobleman Pub
The patrons of the Irish Nobleman Pub in West Town are fully decked out in Bears gear when Avery stops in to see her mom, Jody (Barbara Alyn Woods), who recently remarried. Jody’s new husband Ron (Khary Payton) is the bar’s owner.
Mike Ditka
As Avery gets settled at the Irish Nobleman during a hectic game day, Ron directs her to “the best seat in the house, right next to the coach.” The seat in question is next to a photo of Mike Ditka, the beloved Bears head coach who died on Oct. 9. Later at Halas Hall, the Bears headquarters in Lake Forest, there’s a large Ditka bobblehead statue by the stairs.
Chicago books
Avery pulls out a copy of “The Girls,” a 1921 novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edna Ferber, to keep herself entertained at the Irish Nobleman. “I figured I’d read something distinctly Chicago while I’m in town,” she says. The book follows three women living on the city’s South Side from the Civil War era through World War I. Matt jokes that Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle,” a 1906 expose on Chicago’s meatpacking industry, isn’t festive enough.
Christkindlemarket
Ron quips that the Christkindlmarket is part of a genuine Chicago Christmas. Later in the movie, Avery and Matt explore a Christmas market set up in Federal Plaza by the red Flamingo sculpture by artist Alexander Calder.
Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
Ron says that ice skating at the Ribbon is part of a genuine Chicago Christmas, and one of Matt’s coworkers mentions that he’s set to have a date there.
Lincoln Park ZooLights
Ron and Matt both mention Lincoln Park ZooLights as a quintessential thing to do at Christmastime in Chicago.
Robert’s Pizza and Dough
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, this Streeterville pizzeria is on Ron’s list of Christmas things to do, which also includes the Bean, the riverwalk, the Field Museum, Magnificent Mile, and of course, a Bears game.
Palatine
Judy mentions that she and Rob drove up to a Palatine Christmas tree farm.
Blue Island Fire Station
Matt is a firefighter, and multiple scenes were shot at the real Blue Island Fire Station in the south suburbs.
Andersonville Hardware Store
The Andersonville Hardware Store on the corner of Clark Street and Winnemac Avenue was transformed into Donnelly Hardware, where Darlene works.
Chicago actors
Multiple actors with strong Chicago ties appear in minor roles throughout the movie. Radio personality and “The Chi” actor LaDonna Tittle is one of Darlene’s close friends. Actor and Columbia College Chicago professor Marssie Mencotti plays Darlene’s neighbor, while comedian and actor Dyon Brooks, also known as Mojo Brookzz, makes an appearance as a karaoke DJ. South Side native Anji White portrays the head of the Bears’ event planning team, while Marilu Henner of “Taxi” and Jake Connelly of “Stranger Things” both play cornhole in their cameos.
Bears Care
In the movie, Darlene is helping with a fundraising auction for Bears Care, which is a real-life charitable arm of the Chicago Bears.
More Top Picks Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds
The organization and Hallmark auctioned opportunities for fans to have walk-on roles in the movie, with the proceeds supporting the charity’s efforts throughout the Chicago area. The winners were Carrie May-Borich, Phillip Salamone and Julia and Ken Wegner.
Blue Island Public Library
Darlene reads “’Twas the Night Before Christmas in Chicago” by Jo Parry to a group of children at the Blue Island Public Library. The book mentions Logan Square, Michigan Avenue and the lake shore.
Malört
As Avery grimaces after taking her first shot of malört, Matt explains that the liqueur is “a rite of passage for anyone new to the city.”
Patrick McCaskey
The Bears vice president makes a cameo as a fire department chief who tells a group of firefighters that they did a great job.
Fireboat Tours
Avery and Matt catch a ride on the Fred A. Busse, a retired Chicago Fire Department fireboat that’s now a tour boat. They have a romantic moment (and almost kiss!) as they sail down the Chicago River.
Italian beef
At a Christmas party, Jody brings out a platter of Italian beef. It sparks a conversation about whether to eat it dipped or dry, with Jody advocating for double-dipped. (Surprisingly, there’s not a slice of deep-dish pizza in sight.)
Halas Hall and the Walter Payton Center
Halas Hall serves as the location for the charity event. Later, Avery and Matt get a look at Walter Payton Center, the team’s indoor training facility.
Connie Payton
The widow of Bears legend Walter Payton appears at the Bears Care charity event.
Cole Kmet and Ben Johnson
Player Cole Kmet and coach Ben Johnson appear together at the Bears Care charity event, chatting as the coach tosses footballs to some kids. Bears’ mascot Staley Da Bear is also in the scene sporting a Santa hat and Bears Christmas sweater. Johnson’s wife, Jessica, also appears at the charity event.
Colston Loveland and Dan “The Danimal” Hampton
Loveland and Hampton appear at the Christmas market, shocking Matt. They’re part of the crowd that watches Avery and Ron compete in the Christmas cornhole tournament.
George “Papa Bear” Halas
As it’s coming down to the wire in the cornhole tournament, Ron gives Avery a pep talk by quoting Coach Halas: “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.”
A Bears fan grating cheese
For the uninitiated, the shot of a Bears fan grating cheese may seem random, but the trend was sparked by Bears fan Brandon Martinez, who went viral after grating a block of Parmesan cheese during a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. There’s even a fan wearing a cheese grater-shaped hat.
The Bearman
During some tailgating cornhole, Bears superfan Don Wachter is seen in the background, decked out in blue and orange face paint and wearing his signature taxidermy bear head.
Mike Singletary and Charles “Peanut” Tillman
When Darlene arrives at Soldier Field for her 500th Bears game, the former players Mike Singletary and Charles Tillman are there to greet her. Singletary thanks her for being the team’s number one fan, while Tillman calls her the real MVP.
Caleb Williams
During Darlene’s 500th Bears game, a video message from “The Iceman” is shown at halftime, thanking her for always being in their corner.