Where to See Holiday Movies in LA

Sing-alongs, special menus and interactive experiences

Will Ferrell in "Elf" (2003)
Will Ferrell in "Elf" (2003) | Photo: "Elf," Facebook

From beloved classics like It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas 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 and specialty cocktails, and interactive experiences.

Chevy Chase in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
Chevy Chase in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" | Photo: Warner Bros.
Buddy enjoys Breakfast Spaghetti in "Elf"
Buddy enjoys Breakfast Spaghetti in "Elf" | Photo: New Line Cinema

Alamo Drafthouse

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

For National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Nov. 26 & 29; Dec. 3, 6, 8, 13) you'll get special props like pine tree air fresheners, yellow glowsticks, 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.

Don’t be a cotton-headed ninnymuggins! Elf (Dec. 4, 11, 13) will be packed with games, props, a gift "wrap off" before the film, and of course, your very own elf hat. Other Movie Parties include Gremlins (Dec. 8, 10, 11) and Polar Express (Dec. 10, 11).

Alamo Drafthouse is hosting special brunch screenings for Love Actually (Nov. 26) and The Holiday (Dec. 4), featuring brunch favorites and specialty cocktails like Desert Spring Water or the Italian 75.

And it wouldn't be Alamo without cult favorites like The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Special (Dec. 5) and Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (Dec. 8).

Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone"
Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone" (1990) | Photo: 20th Century Fox

“Home Alone" in Concert - Walt Disney Concert Hall (Dec. 20-22, 2022)

'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 20-22, 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 Angeles Chorale.

Arrive early for Home Alone in Concert wearing your best ugly holiday sweater, and test your knowledge with Home Alone trivia, presented by Scum & Villainy in BP Hall.

Will Ferrell in "Elf" (2003)
Will Ferrell in "Elf" (2003) | Photo: "Elf," Facebook

Rooftop Cinema Club

Rooftop Cinema Club offers a premier outdoor movie experience at LEVEL in Downtown LA, ROW DTLA in the Arts District, and in El Segundo.

ROW DTLA has a full slate of holiday movies this season:

  • "Elf" (Nov. 25, 27, 30; Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13, 15, 18, 21)
  • "The Holiday" (Nov. 25; Dec. 1, 11, 15, 21)
  • "The Polar Express" (Nov. 26, Dec. 4, 10)
  • "The Night Before" (Nov. 26; Dec. 8, 16)
  • "Home Alone" (Nov. 27; Dec. 1, 4, 7, 9, 13, 17, 20)
  • "Love Actually" (Nov 27; Dec. 6, 18)
  • "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (Dec. 3)
  • "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (Dec. 3, 16, 22)
  • "The Santa Clause" (Dec. 11)
  • "Jingle All the Way" (Dec. 11)
  • "The Best Man Holiday" (Dec. 14)
  • "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (Dec. 17)
  • "The Grinch" (Dec. 18)
  • "It's a Wonderful Life" (Dec. 22)

ELF-A-THON (DEC. 23)
On December 23, aka National Christmas Movie Marathon Day (yes, it's a thing), ROW DTLA and El Segundo present the Elf-A-Thon, featuring screenings of Jon Favreau's modern classic all day starting at 1pm. RCC is also hosting Elf Bingo Bonanza (movie quote bingo) at every screening during the marathon. It’s free to play and there will be prizes!

Bruce Willis in "Die Hard" (1988)
Bruce Willis in "Die Hard" (1988) | Photo: 20th Century Fox

Cinespia: "Die Hard" - Palace Theatre (Dec. 16, 2022)

One of LA's most popular outdoor movie series, Cinespia is taking over the landmark Palace Theatre for a special screening of Die Hard (1988) on Friday, December 16.

For diehards, it's not the holidays until they see John McClane (Bruce Willis) take on Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) and his terrorists before they "wreck the halls" of Nakatomi Plaza (played by Fox Plaza in Century City).

Welcome to the party, pal! There will be full bars on every floor, and DJ sets pre- and post-screening. Get dressed up for the holiday follies and capture the memories in the free photobooth - just keep your shoes on. This event is 21 and over. Tickets on sale at the Cinespia website.

Secret Movie Club: "It's a Wonderful Life" - Million Dollar Theatre (Dec. 24, 2022)

For its annual Christmas Eve screening, Secret Movie Club presents one of the all-time holiday classics, It's a Wonderful Life, in 35mm at the historic Million Dollar Theatre. 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 are now on sale at the SMC website. An all-day pass for the Grand Central Market Parking Lot is available for $6. The parking lot is located just one block from the Million Dollar Theatre.

"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992) starring Michael Caine as Scrooge
Photo: The Muppet Christmas Carol, Facebook

Yuletide Cinemaland - Heritage Square Museum (Dec. 3-23, 2022)

Presented by Street Food Cinema in collaboration with Heritage Square Museum, Yuletide Cinemaland invites you to explore picturesque Victorian-era homes and enjoy outdoor screenings of holiday favorites:

  • "Elf" (Dec. 3)
  • "Edward Scissorhands" (Dec. 10)
  • "The Muppet Christmas Carol" (Dec. 17)
  • "A Christmas Story" (Dec. 18)
  • "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (Dec. 19)
  • "Home Alone" (Dec. 20)
  • "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (Dec. 21)
  • "Elf" (Dec. 23)

Each event features:

  • Victorian Holiday Home Tours
  • Santa Claus
  • Bars featuring Mulled Wine & Specialty Cocktails
  • Snow Dancing
  • Live Piano Sing-Alongs
  • Holiday Light Extravaganza
  • Market Vendors & Food Trucks

Doors at 5pm. The first showing is at 6:30pm, second showing at 8pm. Guests may attend either screening.

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

Go Metro and take the Metro L Line (Gold) to the Heritage Square Station. Heritage Square Museum is only a 10-minute walk away.

"Home Alone" movie poster
"Home Alone" movie poster | Photo: 20th Century Fox

"Home Alone" - Academy Museum (Dec. 24, 2022)

Part of the Saturday morning Family Matinee series, Home Alone (1990) is screening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Saturday, December 24. The movie will be shown at 11am in the 283-seat Ted Mann Theatre, featuring state-of-the-art projection and sound and festive green seating.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Keaton in "Batman Returns"
Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Keaton in "Batman Returns" | Photo: Warner Bros.

The Montalban

The Montalbán’s rooftop oasis – outfitted with a bar, concession stand and full kitchen – provides an open-air movie theatre complete with a large projection screen, state-of-the-art projector, noise cancelling headphones, fresh-popped popcorn and blankets for a chilly night.

Holiday movies this season include:

  • "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (Dec. 3)
  • "The Holiday" (Dec. 9)
  • "Elf" (Dec. 10)
  • "White Christmas" (Dec. 15)
  • "The Muppets Christmas Carol" (Dec. 16)
  • "Batman Returns" (Dec. 17)
Gizmo wears a Santa hat in "Gremlins" (1984)
Gizmo in "Gremlins" (1984) | Photo: Warner Bros.

New Beverly Cinema

Quentin Tarantino's beloved indie movie theatre, the New Beverly Cinema is showing a wide range of holiday-themed movies in 35mm throughout December, from Meet Me in St. Louis (Dec. 10-11) to The Godfather (Dec. 8-10) and Die Hard (Dec. 24).

The New Beverly is gifting moviegoers with double features like Black Christmas / Silent Night, Deadly Night (Dec. 12-13), Elf / National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Dec. 20-21), Gremlins / Gremlins 2 (Dec. 22-23), and Animal Crackers / Horse Feathers (Dec. 25).

For Stanley Kubrick fans, there's Eyes Wide Shut (Dec. 17-18) and Midnight Screenings of The Shining (Dec. 3, 10, 17).

Kids of all ages will love the Holiday Edition of Cartoon Club (Dec. 10), as well as the weekend Kiddee Matinees: The Muppet Christmas Carol (Dec. 3-4) and Home Alone (Dec. 17-18).

On Sunday, December 25, enjoy "A Very Tarantino Christmas" with a screening of The Hateful Eight (Roadshow Version) - a gorgeous 35mm print from Tarantino's personal archive.

Cameron Diaz and Jude Law in "The Holiday" (2006)
Cameron Diaz and Jude Law in "The Holiday" (2006) | Photo: IMDb

Melrose Rooftop Theatre

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 16’ x 19’ screen, wireless headphones, classic concessions, and bean bag seats.

Upcoming holiday screenings at MRT include:

  • "Home Alone" (Dec. 4, 22)
  • "The Holiday" (Dec. 5)
  • "Four Christmases" (Dec. 7)
  • "Die Hard" (Dec. 10)
  • "Elf" (Dec. 11, 24)
  • "Gremlins" (Dec. 12)
  • "Home Alone 2" (Dec. 14)
  • "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (Dec. 16)
  • "The Santa Clause" (Dec. 17)
  • "Love Actually" (Dec. 18)
  • "Jingle All the Way" (Dec. 19)
  • "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (Dec. 20)
  • "A Christmas Story" (Dec. 21)
  • "Bad Santa" (Dec. 23)

Priced at $65 per person, the Dinner + Movie pre-theatre menu includes a three-course dinner at E.P. and reserved seating for the movie.