From It’s a Wonderful Life to Die Hard, watching a Christmas film is as much of a tradition for some families as hanging stockings or eating turkey.
And this being London there is, of course, the chance to relive a festive favourite on the big screen to ring in the season once more.
Cinemas are getting in on the act but also conference venues, hotels, and ballrooms are screening classics, while there are also concerts with live orchestras playing along.
Below is the best of what the capital has to offer in 2023. Once you’ve finished browsing, why not check out our 2023 gift guide, see what Christmas markets London has to offer, or peruse what other attractions are in London this December.
One Aldwych Hotel: Festive Film and Fizz events
The Strand hotel regularly partners with Curzon cinemas to screen films at its exclusive 30-seat cinema and, at Christmas, this is no different.
The Festive Film and Fizz season will include sparkling wine at screenings but the real coup is the three-course dinner that is served.
Ticket prices are around £95 and more information can be found here.
The films being shown are:
- It’s a Wonderful Life: November 17-19
- Love Actually: December 1-3
- Elf: December 8-10
- Home Alone: December 15-17
- Miracle on 34th Street: December 22-24
- White Christmas: December 24-26
- The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: December 29-30
Taste Film
While the One Aldwych gives you the chance to eat before or after your film, this all-senses experience allows you to tuck in as the pictures roll.
The pop-up events take place at different locations across the capital but offer a gourmet dinner in front of a well-known film.
Both Christmas films are £80 to watch and dine. For bookings, click here.
The films being shown are:
- The Holiday: November 27-December 22 at Parlour, Kensal Green.
- Home Alone: December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18 at The Refinery, Citypoint.
Prince Charles Cinema
At the other end of the spectrum, at least for price, is the Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End, near Leicester Square.
The cult cinema is stretching what could be interpreted as a Christmas film to the maximum but film buffs will argue that The Godfather is as worthy as a place on this list as Jingle All The Way.
Prices vary but are generally £5-£15. Click here for bookings.
- The Godfather: November 13, 30, December 15
- The Nice Guys: November 22, December 1
- Carol: November 21, December 23
- It’s a Wonderful Life: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24
- Tokyo Godfathers: December 1, 5, 7
- Eyes Wide Shut: December 1, 7
- Home Alone: December 1, 6, 10, 23
- The Muppet Christmas Carol: December 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24
- Die Hard: December 1, 4, 8, 15, 20, 22
- Elf: December 2, 10, 11, 16, 22
- The Apartment: December 2
- Jingle All The Way: December 2, 18
- Lord of the Rings (triple bill, extended editions): December 2, 9 and 16
- Christmas Pyjama Party (film marathon): December 2
- Gremlins: December 3, 9, 22
- Love Actually: December 3, 10, 12, 20, 24
- The Shop Around the Corner: December 5
- Batman and Batman Returns (Double bill): December 5
- You’ve Got Mail: December 5
- The Grinch: December 9
- Trading Places: December 10
- The Great Escape: December 12 and 18
- Die Hard 1 and 2 (Double Bill): December 12
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: December 12
- Dial Code Santa Claus / Deadly Games: December 13
- The Nightmare Before Christmas: December 17 and 24
- Home Alone 1 and 2 (double bill): December 19
- Happy Together: December 21
- Scrooged: December 22
The Luna Cinema
The historic Kensington Palace Pavilion will be getting a Christmas makeover following screenings during the summer. There will also be hot chocolate and mulled wine to drink and mince pies to enjoy during this run of festive favourites.
But the Luna Winter Cinema will also head to Battersea Arts Centre for the season. Tickets start from £12.
The films being shown at Kensington are:
- Miracle on 34th Street: December 11
- The Holiday: December 11
- The Nightmare Before Christmas: December 12
- Elf: December 12, 14
- The Grinch: December 13
- Die Hard: December 13
- Love Actually: December 14
- The Muppet Christmas Carol: December 15
- Edward Scissorhands: December 15
- For tickets click here.
- The films being shown at Battersea are:
- The Muppet Christmas Carol: December 18, 20
- Love Actually: December 18, 20
- Elf: December 19, 21
- Die Hard: December 19
- The Nightmare Before Christmas: December 20
- Frozen: December 21
- The Santa Claus: December 22
- Wonka: December 22, 23
- Edward Scissorhands: December 23
Crofton Park Pictures / Rivoli Ballroom
The glitz and glam of this majestic venue is for all to see with this festive season of film screenings. Tickets start from £7 and can be bought here.
The films being shown are:
- Home Alone: December 20
- Gremlins: December 20
- Home Alone 2: December 21
- Die Hard: December 21
- Elf: December 22
- Love Actually: December 22
The Eventim Apollo
The comedy and music hall will feature a live orchestra playing along to a classic film. Tickets are £30+ and can be bought here.
The films being shown are:
- The Holiday in Concert: December 2
- The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert: December 3
- Love Actually in Concert: December 9
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas: December 10
The Royal Albert Hall
The legendary venue will also be welcoming a live orchestra for its Christmas film productions. Tickets start at £20. Click here for more information.
The films being shown are:
- Home Alone: December 2 and 3
- Elf: December 9
