There’ll be plenty of curling up on the sofa to be done between Christmas and New Years Eve, so pre-December 25, we’re all about getting out and about… and curling up somewhere just a little more fancy than our own front room. London’s Christmas movie showings are in abundance this year… Between cosy cinemas, royal residences and rocking churches, you’ll easily get your festive film fix over the next month or so. And, that’s before you even switch on your own TV! So, without further ado, here’s where to watch Christmas movies in London this festive season:
1. The Clapham Grand, Clapham
‘Love Actually Movie Nights’ are back with a bang this festive season at ereyone’s favourite venue The Clapham Grand – and they’re pretty legendary! Join an enchanting evening filled with festive cheer, hilarious antics, and all the magic of everyone’s favourite Crimbo film Love Actually. Expect a night packed with entertainment, laughter, and surprises that will keep you engaged throughout – including snow machines, sing-along carols, confetti, balloon drops, and Christmas quizzes to boot too. Don’t miss out on the holiday fun! They’ve also got a sing-a-long brunch too – and you know how much we love one of them… Don’t miss out and get your tickets for the screening and for the brunch now!
📍The Clapham Grand, 21-25, St. John’s Hill, London, SW11 1TT.
🚇 Nearest station is Clapham Junction.
2. Luna Cinema, Kensington or Battersea
The welcoming royal residence, Kensington Palace, and iconic Battersea Arts Centre will both play host to 11 days of charming Christmas movies between them, with multiple showings each day. Cosy up at the Luna Winter Cinema between December 11–15 for Christmas classics at Kensington Palace – such as The Holiday, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street – and from December 18–23 at the Battersea Arts Centre – where Elf, Love Actually and The Muppet Christmas Carol will be showing. There’ll be plenty of festive food, mulled wine and other lovely drinks on offer too. Check out the full schedule and book your ticket for both locations here.
📍Kensington Palace Pavilion, London, W8 4PY and Battersea Arts Centre, Grand Hall Entrance, Town Hall Road, SW11 5TN.
🚇 Nearest stations are Queensway and Clapham Junction.
3. Beavertown Brewery at Flat Iron Square, London Bridge
With Love Actually turning 20 this year, it’s time for a change to the regular Christmas movie programming, which is why Beavertown Brewery is launching ‘Christmas Nasties’, a season of alternative Christmas movies curated by British Film Critic, Mark Kermode, at London’s Flat Iron Square. As a nation, we’re subject to the same Christmas schmaltz year in and year out, it’s just Elf, The Holiday and Miracle on 34th Street on repeat. But Beavertown, known for its love of all things spooky, dark and horror-esque, is offering an eerie and mysterious alternative to traditional festive season viewings. For Beavertown’s Christmas Nasties, Mark has handpicked a lineup of cult classics with a dark twist – which will run every Wednesday (December 6, 13 and 20) until Christmas at 7 and 9pm respectively. Films on the roster include Gremlins and Die Hard, and you can get a hold of your tickets here.
📍45 Southwark Street, London, SE1 9HP.
🚇 Nearest stations are London Bridge and Borough.
4. Film & Fizz, Covent Garden
Five-star hotel, One Aldwych, boasts not only a brilliant location, fancy interiors and a fabulous restaurant, but also an intimate 30-seat cinema for the ultimate in luxury film watching. Their Film & Fizz viewings, in partnership with Curzon Cinemas, offer popcorn, a glass of Chapel Down sparkling wine, and a slap-up meal at their restaurant Indigo. Talk about a treat! On December 8, 9 and 10, the cinema is showing Elf; on December 15, 16 and 17, it’s Home Alone; December 22, 23 and 24, you’ll can catch the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street; and finally, on December 29 and 30, it’ll be the brand-new blockbuster The Hunger Games: The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes. Find out more here.
📍1 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Temple.
5. Christmas Pop-Up Cinema at Rivoli Ballroom, Crofton Park
Two to three nights a month, Crofton Park Pictures hosts a pop-up cinema at South East London’s Rivoli Ballroom near Lewisham – and December is no different. On December 20–22, catch a showing of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Gremlins, Love Actually, Elf or Die Hard. Tickets start at just £6, and with two Christmas movies showing a day, it wouldn’t be totally crazy to watch both. There’ll be a bar and food stall to keep you going if you do… Fun fact: Rivoli Ballroom is home to the only intact 1950s ballroom remaining in the capital, and is renowned for its original features, which include deep red velvet, flock wallpaper, and grand chandeliers. Find out more here.
📍350 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2BY.
🚇 Nearest station is Crofton Park.
6. Christmas at Genesis, Whitechapel
Everyone’s favourite independent cinema, Genesis is going all out this year once again for Christmas, with a whole selection of Crimbo classics on the big screen throughout the month of December. Classics include Die Hard, The Muppet Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, and they’re also showing brand new releases Wonka and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget for kids too. Perhaps the biggest draw is their movie marathon on Christmas Eve, which sees a treble bill of classic films playing on the big screen for just 12 quid! Yep – seriously this one’s good for some festive cheer! Cop your tickets here.
📍93-95 Mile End Road, Bethnal Green, London, E1 4UJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Stepney Green.
7. ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ Sing-a-long at the Prince Charles Cinema, Soho
Now, when it comes to festive films, you can’t really get more Christmassy than The Muppet Christmas Carol – and a sing-a-long version? Even better! Playing at the legendary Prince Charles Cinema over multiple nights in December, you’ll be able to witness Frank Oz’s masterpiece in it’s full glory, and you’ll be given a pre-show lowdown by none other than Father Christmas himself! Costumes aren’t mandatory, but ’tis the season after all so it’s be rude not to! Get in the festive spirit here.
📍7 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BY.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
8. Christmas at the Movies at Cadogan Hall, Kensington
Rounding off this list of the best Christmas movies in London is none other than Cadogan Hall – a historic spot right in the heart of Kensington and Chelsea which gives off a daily spellbinding vibe it has to be said. Taking place on Wednesday December 27, the enchanting programme in collaboration with the London Concertante will include excerpts from Christmas classics such as A Christmas Carol, Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone, as well as the animated classics like The Polar Express and The Nightmare Before Christmas. This is a concert to bring the whole family together and make your Christmas truly special. Plus – the whole thing will be bathed in candlelight! Get your tickets here.
📍5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DQ.
🚇 Nearest station is Sloane Square.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best places to watch Christmas movies in London this festive period. So strap in folks and get ready to experience some real magic!