Nothing gets you in the festive spirit like a feelgood Christmas film on the big screen, ideally enjoyed with a mulled wine. Loads of London venues and pop-ups screen Christmas movies in December — take a look below for some enchanting settings — way more interesting than your local multiplex. And no, we're not being dragged into the Die Hard debate...
Taste Film 'eatalong' screenings of The Holiday and Elf
You've heard of singalong screenings, but what about 'eatalongs'? That's what Taste Film does best, pairing the action on screen with a themed dish or drink, served to audience members at the appropriate moment. They're tackling two Christmas films this year: The Holiday and Elf.
The Holiday, selected dates 10-28 November 2025 at Parlour in Kensal Rise. Elf, selected dates 29 November-22 December 2025 at The Refinery, Citypoint.
Christmas films in concert
Sometimes, certain venues screen films with a live orchestra accompaniment playing the soundtrack.
The Eventim Apollo offers:
- The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert (23 November 2025)
- The Holiday in Concert (29 November and 7 December 2025)
- Love Actually in Concert (6 December 2025)
- Frozen in Concert (21 December 2025)
Meanwhile, the Royal Albert Hall hosts Home Alone in Concert (6 and 13 December 2025).
Christmas at Backyard Cinema
Much more than just somewhere to watch films, Backyard Cinema opens an indoor 'Enchanted Forest' in Bermondsey, inviting you to wander through three immersive spaces filled with live cabaret, surprise performances, themed bars and cosy hideaways. Then, join a carol-singing procession to The Cosy Forest Cinema, a retro-style theatre where it snows before every screening. And boy, are there a lot of screenings: up to five a day (including some family-friendly matinees) spanning festive favourites including Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Holiday and The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Christmas at Backyard Cinema, 26 November-31 December 2025.
Christmas films at Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square
The Prince Charles doesn't do things by halves, and its Christmas season is no exception.
You've got the usual classics such as The Muppet Christmas Carol (screened every day in December up until Christmas Eve), Home Alone, and It's A Wonderful Life, as well as some unexpected entries in the form of Eyes Wide Shut (well, it does take place at Christmas) and The Shop Around The Corner (ditto). There's a Christmas Pyjama Party all-nighter on Saturday 13 December, when The Muppet Christmas Carol, Elf, Home Alone, Gremlins and Die Hard are shown back to back.
Many of the films are screened multiple times in the run-up to the big day. For an independent cinema, the Prince Charles punches well above its weight, and it's been a rough couple of years for small businesses — so consider buying some popcorn and a drink on your way in.
Christmas 2025 at the Prince Charles Cinema, 28 November-26 December 2025.
Christmas films at W London's W Film Club
Did you know that W London Leicester Square has its own private cinema? It hosts regular film screenings all year round, open to everyone, and is really delivering the goods this Christmas with 10 festive movies - including two on Christmas Day itself!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Love Actually, Edward Scissorhands, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Bad Santa and Surviving Christmas are shown in the run-up to Christmas, with Home Alone and Elf both shown on Christmas Day itself. The season ends with Die Hard on 27 December.
All tickets include popcorn, with the option to add an alpine-inspired cocktail to your booking too. Well, it is Christmas.
Festive screenings at W London, 1-27 December 2025.
Christmas films at the BFI
Both BFI Southbank and the nearby IMAX screen festive films throughout December. Classics including Scrooge and It's A Wonderful Life are on there — as is The Polar Express, much to our personal delight.
Christmas films at the BFI and IMAX, 6-22 December 2025.
Christmas film screenings at the Clapham Grand
Party venue The Clapham Grand has a lively programme of Christmas events planned, including some Christmas film screenings. It starts with a family-friendly screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol, accompanied by themed games and a snow machine, and mince pies, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and chocolates available to buy, as well as... Miss Piggys in blankets!
For an adults-only audience, there are drink-along screenings of The Holiday and Love Actually, with live hosts, pre-screening games and entertainment, snow machines, confetti, costume competitions and all manner of boozy chaos. Additionally, though it's not technically a film screening, there is a cabaret version of The Muppet Christmas Carol, described as "queermas parody cabaret", produced by "drag dad" Daddy Pecs.
Christmas film screenings at The Clapham Grand, 7-13 December 2025.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in the Thames Tunnel
UPDATE: Now sold out
Londonist's own editor-at-large Matt Brown joins the Brunel Museum's director, Katherine McAlpine to introduce The Muppet Christmas Carol, in a rather unusual location. The screening takes place deep underground, within the shaft of the Thames Tunnel, with a bar serving festive drinks and mince pies on hand to get you in the mood for a good old singalong.
Before that, however, Katherine outlines a few surprising parallels between Dickens and Brunel, and Matt explains why he believes The Muppet Christmas Carol is not only the best Christmas movie of all time, but the best movie of any kind (and trust us when we say he's very passionate about it). He’ll also provide a few surprising insights into the film’s London connections.
The Muppet Christmas Carol at the Brunel Museum, 17 December 2025.
Christmas films at Rivoli Pop-up Cinema
South-east Londoners; head for the glitz and glam of the Rivoli Ballroom for festive movie nights. Pop-up cinema Crofton Park Pictures screens both Home Alone films, Elf, Gremlins and Die Hard over an epic two-day run, with chandeliers hanging overhead, a stall selling sweets, ice cream and popcorn and, of course, a bar.
Christmas films at Rivoli Pop-up Cinema, 20-21 December 2025.
