Hallmark’s Hanukkah on the Rocks is a holiday movie directed by Séan Geraughty. The story is about Tory, a corporate lawyer who loses her job and starts rethinking her life. During the holiday season, she begins a journey in Chicago to find a special box of Hanukkah candles. However, things change when she meets a charming doctor named Jay. With his help, Tory discovers a new purpose in life by learning bartending and helping to transform an old bar called Rocky’s into a cozy, festive place for Hanukkah celebrations.
The movie has a heartwarming story filled with beautiful locations that add a magical feel to the holiday season. Let us now see where the movie was filmed and who stars in it.
Where Was Hanukkah on the Rocks Filmed?
Although the movie is set in Chicago, Illinois, the filming took place in Manitoba, Canada. The production team chose different locations across Manitoba, such as Winnipeg, Niverville, Selkirk, and Stonewall. The filming started in September 2024 and likely continued for a few months. Manitoba is known for its natural beauty, such as lakes, forests, and mountains, along with small towns and modern cityscapes. These locations helped the team create the perfect backdrop for a holiday movie.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
The city of Winnipeg played a major role in the filming of Hanukkah on the Rocks. Winnipeg is a big city in Manitoba with a mix of old and modern architecture, making it perfect to represent Chicago.
One important place in the movie is the bar Rocky’s, where Tory starts working and discovers her new passion. The scenes at Rocky’s were filmed at a real Irish pub called Wee Johnny’s Irish Pub, located at 177 McDermot Avenue in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. This area is famous for its historical buildings and artistic vibe.
Winnipeg’s green spaces and community atmosphere also helped bring the festive spirit alive in the movie. Over the years, Winnipeg has hosted the filming of many other movies, such as A Dog’s Purpose and Twas the Date Before Christmas.
Niverville, Manitoba
The small town of Niverville was also used for filming. It provided the cozy, small-town feel that is important for a holiday movie.
One specific location in Niverville was Gan’s Kitchen, a Chinese restaurant located at 154 Main Street. In the movie, this restaurant was turned into a deli called “Gilbert’s Deli,” which is set in Chicago. The restaurant owners temporarily closed their business so the filmmakers could decorate it to look like a classic deli, complete with food and signs.
Selkirk, Manitoba
Selkirk, a quiet city in Manitoba, was another filming location. Known as the “Catfish Capital of North America,” Selkirk offered peaceful neighborhoods for certain scenes. Some of the area’s attractions include the Marine Museum of Manitoba and Selkirk Waterfront.
The team carefully chose spots in Selkirk that could resemble parts of Chicago while adding a warm, small-town charm. This helped create a more layered and interesting setting for the movie.
Stonewall, Manitoba
Stonewall is a small town known for its old limestone quarries. The town’s Stonewall Quarry Park is a major attraction where people enjoy picnics and camping.
In the movie, Stonewall’s quiet and remote vibe added to the holiday atmosphere. The simplicity of this location balanced the bustling feel of Chicago and gave the movie a mix of urban and rural holiday charm.
Cast of Hanukkah on the Rocks
Stacey Farber plays the lead role of Tory. Daren Kagasoff stars as Jay, the charming doctor. He is famous for his role as Ricky in The Secret Life of the American Teenager and has appeared in Red Band Society and Devotion. Marc Summers plays Sam Rosen, Jay’s grandfather. Marc is not only an actor but also a producer, with appearances in Robot Chicken and The Loud House. Marina Stephenson Kerr plays Bubby, while Lauren Cochrane stars as Lottie. Other cast members include Sharon Bajer, Dan De Jaeger, Cora Matheson, and Verity Marks.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions of Hanukkah on the Rocks
Q: Where was Hanukkah on the Rocks filmed?
A: The movie was filmed in Manitoba, Canada, across locations like Winnipeg, Niverville, Selkirk, and Stonewall. Although the story is set in Chicago, the filmmakers used Manitoba’s urban and rural areas to create the perfect festive backdrop.
Q: When was Hanukkah on the Rocks filmed?
A: Filming took place in September 2024 and likely extended to the surrounding months. The early fall season in Manitoba provided beautiful weather and scenic views for the production.
Q: What is the release date of Hanukkah on the Rocks?
A: The movie was released on December 13, 2024 on Hallmark Channel.
Q: Who is in the cast of Hanukkah on the Rocks?
A: The cast includes Stacey Farber as Tory, Daren Kagasoff as Jay Rosen, Marc Summers as Sam Rosen, Marina Stephenson Kerr as Bubby, Lauren Cochrane as Lottie. Other supporting cast members include Sharon Bajer, Dan De Jaeger, Cora Matheson, Verity Marks, and more.
Q: What locations were used in Winnipeg for the movie?
A: In Winnipeg, a key filming location was Wee Johnny’s Irish Pub in the Exchange District, which stood in for Rocky’s bar in the movie. The city’s mix of historic architecture and modern charm made it a great stand-in for Chicago.