If you’re looking for a heart-warming holiday movie, “A Dance in the Snow” is a must-see! This charming Hallmark film, releasing in December 2024, takes you to a small snowy town where the true spirit of Christmas shines through. Andrea Raffaghello directed it, and Erica Cerra plays Melanie, a single mom and Mark Ghanimé plays Daniel, a caring teacher.
The story is about Melanie’s determination to make sure her daughter Jenny can attend an inclusive Christmas dance, even though Jenny doesn’t want to because of something that happened in the past. Love, family, and community come together in a beautiful way along the way.
This article takes a closer look at the A Dance in the Snow filming locations that bring this warm holiday story to life. From snowy roads to festive venues, these locations play a vital role in making the film’s otherwise ordinary scenes sparkle.
A Dance in the Snow: Plot Summary
Set in a charming small town, A Dance in the Snow tells the story of Melanie, a single mother, and her teenage daughter ‘Jenny’, who is on the autism spectrum. Because Jenny had a traumatic experience at her previous school, she doesn’t want to go to the Christmas dance organized by the school.
With a strong will to make it a memorable holiday, Melanie collaborates with her daughter’s considerate literature teacher, Daniel, to host an all-class Christmas dance that everybody will be comfortable with.
Determined to work things out, Melanie and Daniel get close but Jenny makes a friend in Will, her new classmate. The movie offers some great insights on the theme of Christmas which involves love, caring, and unity. It is an emotional depiction that allows a child and her mother the chance to go above and beyond for each other’s happiness. Brimming with touching scenes, the film is a joyous tribute to family, society and the holiday spirit.
Where was “A Dance in the Snow” Filmed?
Carefully chosen filming locations brought the magical winter wonderland in A Dance in the Snow to life. These sites capture the warm and joyful mood of the holiday season, making them perfect location for Melanie and Jenny’s story. Let’s look more closely at the places in the movie that made it so interesting:
Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ontario
A big part of the movie was shot in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which is known for having both busy cities and quiet suburbs. The small town in the story was based on Mississauga, a lively part of the GTA. The production team put up Christmas decorations, strings of fairy lights, and fake snow on the streets and neighborhoods to make the area look like a holiday paradise.
Director Andrea Raffaghello said this about the GTA: “Ontario’s blend of modern amenities and the quaint feel of its suburban towns provided the perfect canvas for our story. It was easy to make viewers believe in the magic of Christmas here.”
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, a charming city just south of Toronto, was very important to the making of the movie. The Dundas Museum and Archives, which is in the historic Dundas neighborhood, was a very important place for filming. The holiday decorations and fake snow on this red-brick building made it look like a warm winter scene.
Erica Cerra, who plays Melanie, talked about her time on set: “Filming in Dundas was a delight. The streets and the museum had this nostalgic charm that fit perfectly with the movie’s small-town Christmas vibe.”
Hamilton has long been a favorite location for Hallmark productions due to its versatility and accessibility. Other Hallmark films shot here include The Christmas Charade and Inn Love by Christmas.
North Carolina Mountains (Post-Production)
Most of the filming took place in Canada, but the start of the movie shows the beautiful North Carolina Mountains near Boone in an aerial shot. This snow-covered, beautiful landscape sets the mood for the movie’s winter feel. Even though this footage was found after the movie was already made, it gives the winter wonderland theme more of a real feel.
As producer Sarah Langley put it, “The North Carolina Mountains were the perfect snowy setting to start our film, putting people right in the holiday spirit.”
When Did the Filming of ‘A Dance in the Snow’ Take Place?
In Ontario, Canada, filming for A Dance in the Snow took place from September 9 to September 27, 2024. Making the most of early fall, the team recreated snowy scenes that gave the movie a holiday feel.
Should You Watch ‘A Dance in the Snow’?
Of course! In A Dance in the Snow, there is more than just a holiday movie. There is a touching story about love, acceptance and the strength of community. It’s a great Christmas movie that will make you feel good because of its strong acting, touching story and magical winter setting. This movie will make you smile whether you’ve seen Hallmark movies before or this is your first time seeing one.
A Dance in the Snow Cast List
They bring “A Dance in the Snow” sweet, heartwarming charm to life with their many skills and personalities. Each actor adds to the movie’s emotional depth and holiday magic, making it a standout in Hallmark’s holiday lineup. Here’s a closer look at the movie’s main cast and what they did for it:
Melanie played by Erica Cerra
Melanie is the strong and caring single mother at the center of the story, and Erica Cerra does a great job as her. Cerra is known for her complex roles as Dr. Becca Franco on The 100 and as D.A. Jean Rosario on Nancy Drew. She brings those skills to this role. She does a great job of showing Melanie’s strength, weakness, and unwavering love for her daughter Jenny.
Cerra talked about how excited she was about the movie, saying, “Melanie’s journey is one of love and strength and I was thrilled to bring her story to life in such an important place.”
Jenny played by Vanessa Burghardt
Vanessa Burghardt plays Jenny, Melanie’s autistic 17-year-old daughter. Jenny doesn’t want to go to the Christmas dance because of a bad experience from the past. This is what the story is mostly about emotionally. Burghardt, who is herself an actor on the autism spectrum, gives the part a lot of truth and depth, perfectly capturing Jenny’s growth and newfound confidence.
Fans may remember Burghardt from her standout role in Cha Cha Real Smooth, which was also her first movie role. She continues to show off her skills with her role in A Dance in the Snow making it even better.
Daniel played by Mark Ghanimé
Daniel, played by Mark Ghanimé, is a kind literature teacher who works with Melanie to plan a Christmas dance for everyone. Through his kindness and charm, he adds a romantic touch to the story, making him the ideal partner for Melanie’s character.
Ghanimé is well-known for his roles in Virgin River as Dr. Cameron Hayek and Helix as Major Sergio Balleseros. His portrayal of Daniel combines charm and depth, adding a layer of tenderness to the film.
Adding to the Cast
The movie has a strong supporting cast that makes the story more interesting:
- Dorian Giordano as Will, a student who becomes close with Jenny.
Hilary Foy is a key member of the school’s planning committee, and Jennifer Baker plays her. - Julianna Paul as Caitlin and Tyson Kirk as Jake, two students whose interactions add to the movie’s themes of fun and acceptance.
- Liam McCord as Liam and Daniel Ryan-Astley as a classmate, adding to the high school atmosphere.
Director Andrea Raffaghello was proud of the cast, saying, “Each actor brought their own talent and heart to the film, making characters that people will connect with deeply.”
This wonderful cast makes A Dance in the Snow more than just a holiday romance. It’s a touching story about family, community and the magic of being together during the holidays.
A Dance in the Snow Official Trailer
Watch the A Dance in the Snow trailer below to get a feel for the movie’s fun Christmas setting.
A Dance in the Snow is sure to become a holiday favorite with its interesting plot and fun setting.
