Ho ho ho, deck the halls and hear the sleigh bells ring – Santa Claus is coming to London town and so are yuletide film nights!
Christmas is a magical time to visit London but all that shopping and trawling markets for mince pies can get tiring (not to mention chilly). Recoup some energy and warm up in a snug, cosy seat with a feel-good, festive film. There are plenty of London hotel packages around this time of year so snag and deal and snap up some tickets to a flick before they’re all gone.
Here are the top 9 Christmas film screenings in central London to showing festive favourites. Act fast – tickets are selling like hotcakes and some screenings are already fully booked.
1) Backyard Cinema: Christmas at the Snow Kingdom
Sun 15 Nov – Sun 8 Dec; Capital Studios, 13 Wandsworth Plain, SW18 1ET
The definitive of alternative cinema experiences in London really shines at Christmas! Launching with family classic, Home Alone, their screenings are confirmed until early December. Stay tuned for further additions to the programme. Their line-up includes family-friendly films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppets Christmas Carol and Arthur Christmas, cosy rom-com The Holiday and action flick Die Hard. They’re also showing the cult classics Labyrinth and Cool Runnings. Christmas at the Snow Kingdom is popping up in Wandsworth. Uncover the hidden entrance, say the magic password and you’re in.
2) The Luna Winter Cinema
Sun 15 – Sun 22 Dec; Kensington Palace, W8 4PX
One of the pioneers of pop up cinema brings a winter treat you won’t forget as you watch a film in the stunning Pavilion on the Orangery Lawn at Kensington Palace. Starting with Love Actually and culminating with Home Alone, the Luna Winter Cinema runs a week-long programme so make sure your stay at The Barbican Rooms Hotel coincides with your favourite flick. All the films have a festive theme – plus the sensational Bohemian Rhapsody is added to the mix. This is the dreamiest setting to sit back with a mulled wine or two.
3) The Prince Charles Cinema: Christmas at the PCC
Fri 22 Nov – Sat 21 Dec; 7 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BY
The Prince Charles Cinema host themed, immersive screenings of festive classics – as well as some you might not expect! The month-long season kicks off with a showing of the zombie Christmas musical, Anna and the Apocalypse. Not for the conventional! Other films in the line-up include Die Hard, The French Connection, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf and It’s a Wonderful Life. The season ends with a flourish with the Christmas Pyjama Party. Six favourites will be screened back-to-back, including the first two Home Alone films.
4) Festive Film & Fizz with Curzon One Aldwych
Fri 22 Nov – Mon 23 Dec; 1 Aldwych WC2B 4BZ
The most luxurious film-watching experience you’ll find, Curzon’s programme dishes up a yuletide film served with a glass of Champagne polished off with either a post-screening three-course dinner or two-course brunch (Sundays only). With modern-day romances and family classes on the agenda, you can choose between The Holiday, Miracle on 34th Street or Last Christmas, to name a few. Have a sneaky glass of bubbles before you set off on your merry way by arranging your stay in one of the luxury London hotel suites!
5) Love Actually In Concert
Sun 1 Dec; Apollo Hammersmith, 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH
Watch Richard Curtis’ classic Christmas rom-com on the big screen, as a live orchestra brings Craig Armstrong’s score to life in a festive, fully immersive cinematic experience. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen Love Actually, this performance will be the highlight of your Christmas countdown. It’s worth booking a stay at The Barbican Rooms purely to witness this event!
6) E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert
Sun 8 Dec (x2 showings); Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP
Not only a Christmas film, but a film loved by families any day of the year is coming to the Royal Albert Hall this December. Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming masterpiece featuring John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra while the film is projected in high definition on the big screen.
A wonderful way to spend one of the final Sundays before Christmas, explore London’s best hotel packages and bring the whole family along!
7) Rivoli Pop Up Cinema
Weds 11 – Fri 13 Dec; 350 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY
The Rivoli Ballroom is the only intact 1950s ballroom remaining in London and this December it transforms itself into splendid, thoroughly festive cinema draped in red velvet and Christmas cheer. Beginning with How the Grinch Stole Christmas this short-run concludes with Hugh Grant wriggling his hips in romance romp Love Actually. You’ll never find such a luxurious cinema! Be sure to book yourself into one of the luxury London hotel suites you’ll find in the city, to conclude your night in style!
8) The Extraordinary Travelling Film Show
Tues 10 Dec; The View from The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, SE1 9SG
Running with a theme, the UK’s highest cinema is located in its tallest building – The Shard! There’s only one festive screening and the film this year is 1990 classic, Home Alone. This highly exclusive event is for adults only. Appreciate sweeping views of London from the 69th floor as you sip a gin and tonic. Snow isn’t guaranteed but an unforgettable film night is!
9) South Place Presents
Sat 21 Dec; South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF
You need to move quickly with this one – the first two film screenings have already sold out but there are still some spots left to see Love Actually! Enter a secret garden and settle back with a Christmas themed cocktail or a hot chocolate with some festive nibbles. We’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around…
