Christmas film pop-ups in London

Watch Christmas films in unusual places — a psychiatric hospital, a leafy grotto, a hot tub — or just settle into a comfortable seat with a mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine at one of these festive film fiestas
Will Ferrell in Elf
Sarah Cohen26 November 2013

Hot Tub Cinema Winter Warmers

Factory 7, Nov 27-Dec 14

What better way to banish the winter blues than by watching a movie while bubbling away in an (indoor) inflatable hot tub? Screenings include old favourites such as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark and Pretty Woman, plus Christmas movies like Elf, Gremlins and Love Actually. There's even a speed dating night (Wed Dec 11) and hot tub karaoke (Thu Dec 12).

The Flicker Club presents About Time

Bounce, Sun Dec 1

Anyone who’s seen About Time will know that table tennis plays a key role in the story, particularly in the relationship between Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) and his dad (Bill Nighy), which is why this special ‘finale’ screening of the film is taking place in a ping pong bar. The ticket price includes the screening, an introduction from writer-director Richard Curtis and as many games of whiff-whaff as you can handle.

Christmas Movie Night

Bea’s of Bloomsbury at Maltby Street Market, Dec 3, 10 & 17

Bea’s popular series of block party-style cinema screenings goes festive, with mulled wine, mince pies and lebkuchen being offered alongside the usual chilli cheese dogs, buttered popcorn and mac ‘n’ cheese. The films on offer are Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life and Elf.

Winter Shuffle

St Clements Social Club, Dec 5-15

Danny Boyle’s film festival returns to this Victorian psychiatric hospital with a programme of Christmas classics, wintery documentaries on snowy things like climbing Everest and Arctic expeditions, and a selection of Boyle’s own work, featuring introductions and Q&As with special guests including Jarvis Cocker, Professor Brian Cox and directors Nicolas Roeg, Julien Temple and Martin McDonagh. A sidebar of comedy, storytelling, theatre and music will keep the whole family entertained.

Festive Film & Fizz

One Aldwych, Dec 6-22

For Christmas cinema with class, head to One Aldwych for a champagne brunch or dinner followed by a screening of a seasonal silver screen stalwart: White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life. And if you simply can’t get up from that comfy cinema seat, book the overnight package and stay in the hotel.

Christmas Pyjama Party

Prince Charles Cinema, Sat Dec 7

Put on your PJs and settle in for the night, as the PCC screens six Christmas favourites back to back from dusk till dawn, punctuated by party games, presents and trips to the all-night bar and popcorn stand. And if you really can’t sit through Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, nip upstairs to catch a distinctly un-Christmassy David Lynch marathon.

The Nomad Cinema

The LookOut, Hyde Park, Dec 9-10

This education centre in the middle of Hyde Park will be transformed into a winter grotto where you can toast marshmallows over the fire pit, drink hot chocolate and mulled wine, and make Christmas crafts using material gathered from the park. Kids’ films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, Elf) screen in the afternoon, with adult-only showings of Gremlins and It’s a Wonderful Life following in the evening.

Backyard Cinema

Town Hall Hotel, Dec 11 & 18

Backyard Cinema’s December screenings aren’t particularly Christmassy, instead offering well-known stories with a modern twist, namely Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby and Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing. The setting is rather special — a perfectly preserved council chamber in the Town Hall Hotel — and the audience will be served luxury cocktails and a taster box containing crab salad, Thai chicken and Iberico pork.

Future Cinema presents Ghostbusters

Troxy, Dec 12-23

The gang behind Secret Cinema recreates the Sedgewick Hotel, where Ghostbusters is set, for this immersive cinema experience. The ruse is thus: New York is under threat from ghostly apparitions and the Ghostbusters need your help to save the city. Evening screenings are for adults only, but there’s a family matinee on Monday December 23.

Cinema in the Snow

20th Century Theatre, Dec 13-20

Yuletide screenings from Pop-up Screens include Bad Santa, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Scrooged. To make it extra festive, the cinema will be filled with lots of fluffy fake snow, and the only entrance will be through a magic wardrobe.

The Artist - Live in Concert

Royal Albert Hall, Dec 30-31

The Royal Albert Hall opens its doors for an end-of-year ceremony for the first time this century for this speciial screening of The Artist. Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo star in this Oscar-winning homage to the silent film era, which will play out accompanied by a live score performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and pianist Ludovic Bource.

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