Festive film screenings and events in the North

Feature by Jess Hardiman | 07 Dec 2016

From It's a Wonderful Life at the Philharmonic Hall and a season of Christmas films at Sefton Park Palm House to an all-out rave based on Elf at Albert Hall, we've got you sorted for festive film screenings in Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester.

Whether it's a hearty dose of nostalgia from wholesome classics like It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas or Meet Me in St. Louis, the childish glee you get from the likes of Home Alone and Elf, or the blood and guts of more alternative options like Die Hard, there's no denying that a good Christmas film is the best way to get you feeling festive. 

Here's a rundown of where you can catch all these and more:

Christmassy cinema in Liverpool

FACT

Liverpool's FACT launch the festive season with a screening of 1951 flick Scrooge (11 Dec), which stars Alastair Sim as the definitive Ebenezer Scrooge. Then, you can keep things classic with Capra's perennial weep-fest It's a Wonderful Life (18, 21 & 24 Dec).

Liverpool Philharmonic

It's a Wonderful Life will also be getting the big screen treatment on Christmas Eve at the Phil (24 Dec), no doubt delivering all the feels as you gear up for the big day.

Woolton Picture House

Join Bing Crosby and co. in White Christmas, or catch Judy Garland warbling Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in MGM's much-loved musical Meet Me in St Louis (both 17 Dec). If you're in need of a Christmas hit this side the millennium, there's also big-kid favourite Elf (18 Dec), Love Actually (22 Dec) and The Polar Express (23 Dec) to perch down to. Get yr tickets here.

Sefton Park Palm House

The Palm House will be hosting a season of Christmas films, kicking off with The Grinch and Love Actually (19 Dec) before proceeding with Elf and Home Alone 2 (20 Dec), The Nightmare Before Christmas (21 Dec) and A Muppet Christmas Carol (22 Dec), concluding – as one always should – with It's a Wonderful Life (23 Dec).

Festive flicks in Leeds

Hyde Park Picture House

Ace Leeds cinema Hyde Park Picture House starts with Christmas in Connecticut (14 Dec) before screening It's A Wonderful Life (21-26 Dec) and both The Snowman and the follow-up – made 30 years after its predecessor – The Snowman and the Snowdog (24 Dec).

Everyman Cinema

In Trinity Leeds, the Everyman Cinema will also be bringing you Love Actually (22 Dec) and It's a Wonderful Life (24 Dec).

Merry movies in Manchester

Gorilla

RAD Screenings are heading to Gorilla with a twisted cult double bill of Gremlins and The Grinch (14 Dec), where you're encouraged to don ugly Christmas knitwear for some old school festivities. 

HOME

As always, HOME are going all-out with their seasonal film offering with a whole season, A Very 80s Christmas (9-22 Dec), featuring everything from Back to the Future (9 Dec) – which comes complete with a free Enchantment Under the Sea Disco afterwards – to The Dark Crystal (10 Dec), Santa Claus: The Movie (11 & 22 Dec), Scrooged (12 & 21 Dec), Little Shop of Horrors (14 Dec), The Thing (16 Dec) and The Princess Bride (17, 18 & 19 Dec). 

Victoria Baths

Ever fancied watching some festive classics from the comfort of a Grade II listed swimming pool? Victoria Baths becomes a pop-up cinema for Home Alone (9 Dec) and Elf (10 Dec), with a Prosecco bar and deckchairs completing the temptingly twee set-up.

Central Library

Meanwhile, Pilot Light TV Festival take things a little more off-piste with a Christmas Sitcom Special at Central Library (15 Dec). On the line-up are episodes of The Simpsons, The Office, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Scrubs and Friends. With free mince pies and other festive treats also on the agenda, this one's a total no-brainer.

Albert Hall

Never ones to do things half-arsed, that lot at Albert Hall are hosting an Elf Christmas House Party (17 Dec), featuring a screening of the hyperactive Will Ferrell favourite, a rave-along sing-along, spaghetti eating competition, Christmas beer festival and food hall and a live band chugging out the Christmas hits.

Spotted any more festive screenings on your travels? Let us know and we'll pop it on the list; email jess@theskinny.co.uk with the info.

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