Where to See Holiday Movies in LA

From the beloved classics It's a Wonderful Life to modern favorites like Elf and Home Alone, holiday movies will be screening throughout December at landmark theatres and outdoor venues across Los Angeles. Enjoy the spirit of the season with sing-alongs, themed snacks, specialty cocktails and interactive experiences.

Located at The Bloc in Downtown LA, Alamo Drafthouse is hosting special Movie Parties for their holiday screenings - cheer for the heroes, boo the bad guys and shout out your favorite lines with fellow fans.

Don’t be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins! Don’t be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins! Alamo is presenting numerous Elf Movie Parties (Dec. 1, 2, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 23) featuring fun props, a gift "wrap off" before the film, and of course, your very own elf hat.

For National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Dec. 4, 22, 23) you'll get special props like pine tree air fresheners, yellow glow sticks, and ugly neckties to help you feel like you're an honorary Griswold. It’ll be more fun than a membership to the Jelly of the Month Club.

'Tis the season for the annual holiday movie screening at Walt Disney Concert Hall! Written and produced by John Hughes, Home Alone (1990) stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who's accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation. Kevin must defend his home against two bumbling thieves (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) in this modern classic directed by Chris Columbus.

On December 21-22, John Williams' Oscar-nominated score - featuring the signature song "Somewhere in My Memory" - will be performed live-to-picture, conducted by David Newman with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

Rooftop Cinema Club offers a premier outdoor movie experience at LEVEL in Downtown LA. Cozy up with a personal heater this holiday season and enjoy Fireside Films under the stars, including:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas (Nov. 29, Dec. 14, 21)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Nov. 30, Dec. 15)
• Elf (Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 13, 20, 24)
• The Holiday (Dec. 5, 18, 23)
• Love Actually (Dec. 6, 16)
• Die Hard (Dec. 7, 21)
• It's A Wonderful Life (Dec. 8, 22)
• Last Holiday (Dec. 8)
• Home Alone (Dec. 9, 13, 20, 24)
• Home Alone 2 (Dec. 10
• This Christmas (Dec. 13)
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Dec. 14, 23)

Presented by Street Food Cinema and TIL Events in collaboration with Heritage Square Museum, the annual Yuletide Cinemaland series invites you to explore historic Victorian-era homes and enjoy outdoor screenings of holiday favorites.

• Elf (Nov. 30, Dec. 23)
• Home Alone & Home Alone 2 Pajama Party (Dec. 7, 22)
• Edward Scissorhands & Violent Night (Dec. 13)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas & Polar Express (Dec. 14)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas & Love Actually (Dec. 19)
• A Christmas Story & National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Dec. 20)
• The Muppet Christmas Carol & Gremlins (Dec. 21)

Each event features:

• Victorian Holiday Home Tours
• Twinkling Light Tunnel
• Tinsel Tavern
• Live Piano Sing-Alongs
• Yuletide Market
• Food Trucks
• Classic Concessions
• Letters to Santa

Doors at 5:30pm. Early screenings at 6:30pm, late screenings at 8:10pm. Guided Victorian home tours from 6pm to 8:30pm.

Yuletide Cinemaland features two screening areas with complimentary seating. Blankets will be available for purchase. Outside food is permitted, outside alcoholic beverages are not. Leashed dogs are welcome to outdoor activities!

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit the Street Food Cinema website.

The landmark Hollywood Roosevelt is hosting holiday movie screenings at two of its most famous venues!

Classic Cinema Night: "It's a Wonderful Life" (December 25)
Originally opened in 1936, the famed Cinegrill Theater became a hotspot for Golden Age Hollywood. In September 2022, the Roosevelt resurrected the Cinegrill with a stunning design that evokes its celebrated history. Hidden behind a bookcase in the lower lobby, the intimate theater features velvet lounge-style sofas and a gilded stage with red curtains and gold accents.

Hosted by film critic and winemaker José Ignacio Cuenca, the Classic Cinema Night series presents one of the all-time holiday classics, It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Night. After a lukewarm reception on its initial release, Frank Capra's 1946 film has since become a holiday tradition for generations of American families, and George Bailey is regarded as one of Jimmy Stewart's most iconic roles. Tickets on sale at Eventbrite. Enjoy bar bites and sip signature cocktails like the Army/Navy, Champagne Cocktail, Stinger, Revolver and Paloma.

Tropicana Movie Night (December 2024)
Keep the summertime vibes going with the outdoor Tropicana Movie Nights, hosted by José Ignacio Cuenca at the iconic Tropicana Pool.

• Love Actually (Dec. 5)
• Home Alone (Dec. 12)
• Elf (Dec. 19)
• Die Hard (Dec. 26)

Doors open at 6pm and the movie starts at 7pm, giving you plenty of time to secure the perfect spot, enjoy refreshing drinks, and take a dip in the famed David Hockney pool. Full bar and food menu available until 9:45pm each evening.

Swimming is encouraged, so guests are invited to splash around and make the most of this unique movie experience. Whether you're a hotel guest or a local looking for a memorable evening, Tropicana Movie Nights is the perfect way to enjoy classic films in a spectacular setting. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit and dive into the magic of Hollywood! Towels, blankets and heaters are available upon request on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets at Eventbrite.

On Christmas Eve, American Cinematheque is screening holiday movies at its venues across LA: the annual 35mm presentation of It's a Wonderful Life at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood; the delightful Tokyo Godfathers at Los Feliz 3; and a 35mm presentation of Elf at The Aero in Santa Monica. For more festive screenings, check out the AC calendar.

Quentin Tarantino's indie movie theatre, the New Beverly Cinema is showing a wide range of holiday-themed movies throughout December, including family-friendly matinees like the Holiday Edition of the Cartoon Club on December 14; and 35mm screenings of Gremlins (Dec. 7-8), Elf (Dec. 14-15) and The Muppet Christmas Carol (Dec. 21-22). Double features include Black Christmas / Silent Night, Deadly Night (Dec. 9-10), It's a Wonderful Life / It Happened on 5th Avenue (Dec. 17-18) and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation / Ernest Saves Christmas (Dec. 21-22). On Christmas night, the New Beverly presents the Roadshow Version of The Hateful Eight - the gorgeous 35mm print is from Tarantino's personal archive.

Located on the rooftop adjacent to the patio at E.P. & L.P., the Melrose Rooftop Theatre (MRT) offers an unforgettable outdoor cinema experience with the Hollywood Hills as the stunning backdrop. MRT features a state-of-the-art Da Lite screen, wireless headphones, classic concessions and bean bag seats.

Upcoming holiday screenings at MRT include: A Christmas Carol (Dec. 1), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Dec. 3), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dec. 4, 23), The Santa Clause (Dec. 7), Unaccompanied Minors (Dec. 8), The Nightmare Before Christmas (Dec. 9), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Dec. 10), The Santa Clause 2 (Dec. 14), The Muppet Christmas Carol (Dec. 15), Four Christmases (Dec. 16), The Polar Express (Dec. 17), Bad Santa (Dec. 18), The Holiday (Dec. 19), Gremlins (Dec. 21), Love Actually (Dec. 22) and Elf (Dec. 24).

Doors at 7:30pm, movies begin at 8:30pm. Tickets are now on sale at the Melrose Rooftop Theatre website. Options include General Admission, Dinner & Movie for Two, and the Ultimate Date Night, which includes dinner for two on the rooftop, bottle of champagne, churro sundae to share, VIP bean bag seats, candy and blankets.