Where to See Holiday Movies in LA

From the beloved classic 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.

One of LA's most popular outdoor movie series, Cinespia is taking over the landmark Los Angeles Theatre for a special screening of Elf on Saturday, December 13.

Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human raised by elves, heads from the North Pole to New York City to find his long-lost dad—and maybe teach the city a thing or two about Christmas spirit. Armed with a diet of candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup, he spreads unfiltered joy through a world that’s forgotten how to smile.

The holiday party features photo ops, live festive music, DJ sets before and after the film, and a full bar for all your “son of a nutcracker” needs. Dress festively in your favorite Christmas sweater, Santa drag, or holiday party finery; and strike a pose with Santa Claus in the free photobooth—because you’re on the "nice" list!

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 (Nov. 30, Dec. 6, 15, 17, 20) 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. 3, 8, 14, 16, 21) 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.

The weekend of December 5-7, John Williams' Oscar-nominated score - featuring the signature song "Somewhere in My Memory" - will be performed live-to-picture at WDCH, conducted by David Newman with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Evening and matinee performances each day.

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:

• Elf (Nov. 22, 29; Dec. 2, 10, 13, 19, 21)
• The Holiday (Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 19, 23)
• Home Alone (Nov. 21, Dec. 1, 6, 12, 15, 22)
• The Night Before (Nov. 28, Dec. 12, 23)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (Dec. 5, 13)
• Edward Scissorhands (Dec. 6)
• Home Alone 2 (Dec. 6, 18)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dec. 7, 20)
• Almost Christmas (Dec. 7)
• You've Got Mail (Dec. 8)
• It's A Wonderful Life (Dec. 11)
• This Christmas (Dec. 12)
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Dec. 13)
• Last Christmas (Dec. 17)
• Love Actually (Dec. 18, 22)
• Carol (Dec. 20)
• Die Hard (Dec. 20)
• The Grinch (Dec. 21)
• It's A Wonderful Life (Dec. 24)

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.

• Home Alone & Home Alone 2 (Nov. 29, Dec. 22)
• Elf & A Christmas Story (Dec. 6)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas & How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dec. 13)
• The Santa Clause & Santa Clause 2 (Dec. 20)
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & The Muppet Christmas Carol (Dec. 21)
• Elf & Home Alone (Dec. 23)

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 8:15pm. Guided Victorian home tours from 6pm to 8:30pm.

Yuletide Cinemaland features two screening areas with complimentary seating. 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.

Originally opened in 1936, the famed Cinegrill Theater became a hotspot for Golden Age Hollywood. In September 2022, the Hollywood 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 Eve (Wednesday, December 24). 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.

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.