Festive film nights: the best Christmas screenings in London (2025)
Hello, lovely readers! I am delighted to share that, after having another little London baby and a bit of a break from this blog, I am finally posting again. It’s lovely to be back, so I’m going to kick things off by diving headfirst into the festive season and sharing the best London Christmas film screenings on offer in 2025. Enjoy!
1. Backyard Cinema
49 Tanner St, London Bridge, London SE1 3PL
The highly anticipated Backyard Cinema is returning for the Christmas Season and I couldn’t be happier about it! From 26th November until 31st December 2025, London’s Backyard Cinema will be showing all of our favourite seasonal Christmas films, with 5 different daily screenings (12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm – so there are plenty to choose from!).
Backyard Cinema is much more than just a festive film screening, however. For a full hour before the film even starts, guests are invited to roam and explore the beautifully immersive space, including a Christmas Cabaret Room and an Enchanted Forest.
Guests can expect to find live music, spontaneous performances, themed bars and maybe even a few sprinklings of snow…
Don’t let the name or realistic decorations fool you though, particularly at this chilly time of year! Backyard Cinema is located inside a Victorian warehouse near Maltby Street Market, south of Tower Bridge (directions above). The closest tube stations are London Bridge, Bermondsey and Tower Hill.
2. Regent Street Cinema
307 Regent Street, London, W1B 2HW
As one of the oldest (and cutest!) cinemas in the UK, Regent Street Cinema often curates a limited selection of festive films for the holidays. Their beautifully intimate setting provides a cosy atmosphere to enjoy seasonal fare like Home Alone, Scrooged, Love Actually and Gremlins. It’s also where we began our favourite family Christmas tradition: watching It’s A Wonderful Life then sobbing through the credits.
The nearest Underground station is Oxford Circus. Use Exit 4 – from there, it’s a short walk up the western side of Regent Street.
3. BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT
Christmas season at the BFI Southbank includes festive films like Meet Me in St Louis, Scrooge, and It’s A Wonderful Life. Also on offer are IMAX and 3D screenings for children’s films such as The Polar Express and The Wizard of Oz. Did you know that the BFI Imax has the largest cinema screen in Britain? It’s 20 metres high and 26 metres wide – imagine seeing a Christmas classic blown up to that scale!
The nearest station is Waterloo (South Bank exit), from which it’s about a 10-minute walk towards the river. The location is pretty iconic, and if you paired a film screening with a winter walk along the Southbank (with its mulled wine stalls, street food and Christmas markets) you’ve got a pretty perfect festive day out.
4. Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP
If you want to do something truly special and spectacular this Christmas, look no further than the Royal Albert Hall. This breathtaking venue is screening Home Alone in Concert with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus. With both matinee (2:30pm) and evening (6:45pm) showings, these screenings are being held on Saturday 6th and Saturday 13th December.
The closest Underground stations are South Kensington and High Street Kensington. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk from either station.
5. Prince Charles Cinema
7 Leicester Pl, London, WC2H 7BY
Renowned for its highly eclectic programming, the quirky and independent Prince Charles Cinema consistently screens all manner of Christmas films. In 2025, they’re showing The Muppet Christmas Carol (with sing-alongs) daily from 28th November up to Christmas Eve, along with plenty of other great movies such as Tokyo Godfathers, Die Hard, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Elf.
For the true die-hard cinema-goers, the PCC also hosts really fun events such as the Not-So-Christmas Mystery Christmas Movie Marathon (where they screen 5 mystery films overnight!) and their all-nighter Christmas Pyjama Party, where they will be screening 5 Christmas Classics starting from 11.15pm.
Leicester Square is the nearest Underground station, and only a couple of minutes away if you walk via Lisle Street.
6. Everyman Cinema
Various locations across London (and the rest of the UK)
Anyone who knows me in real life knows how obsessed I am with this cinema chain!
I initially discovered Everyman Cinema when I had my first baby and started taking him to Baby Club film screenings every Tuesday morning. They were my saviour on maternity leave and the highlight of my week. These cinemas just scream luxury, with beautiful decor, comfy sofas and delicious refreshments brought straight to your seat (don’t even get me started on the carrot cake).
This Christmas 2025, their London sites have enough seasonal film screenings to stuff a stocking: nostalgic throwbacks, late night movies and even toddler events. As I am currently on another maternity leave, I was super excited to see that some of their venues, especially Screen on the Green, are including Christmas classics in their Baby Club line-up, so I’ll be sure to take my littlest one to some of those. Their Christmas themed menu also looks immense!
7. Rivoli Ballroom
350 Brockley Road, Crofton Park, SE4 2BY
This venue is absolutely stunning, full of vintage glamour, and one of the last remaining 1950’s ballrooms in London. This Christmas, they’re offering a pop-up cinema from December 20th-21st to screen Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Gremlins, Elf and Die Hard. They also have a food stall serving sweet and savoury treats, as well as a bar for the adults.
The Rivoli Ballroom is right across the road from Crofton Park station (Network Rail). Alternatively, it’s just under 15 minutes’ walk from Honor Oak Park on the Overground.
8. The Clapham Grand
21-25 St. John’s Hill, Clapham Junction, London SW11 1TT
Known for its lively atmosphere and diverse programming, The Clapham Grand hosts interactive Christmas film screenings complete with sing-alongs, drink-alongs, themed cocktails and festive games – definitely more than your average “sit and eat popcorn” film experience! This year’s lineup includes The Muppets Christmas Carol, The Holiday and Love Actually.
This imposing, red-bricked ‘palace of modern variety’ is immediately recognisable. It stands conveniently across the road from Clapham Junction station (Network Rail and Overground).
The Nice List
As you can see, London really does go all-out at Christmas. So whether you’re after a cosy sofa, a nostalgic classic, a full theatrical experience or something a little bit quirky, there’s a festive film night for every mood. I hope this guide helps you plan a magical winter outing with your loved ones. And if you end up at any of these screenings, let me know which one you pick! Wishing you the loveliest, cosiest Christmas season ahead.
P.S. If you’re looking for something a touch more active to do in London this holiday season, I’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out my post on the city’s annual light displays, walking trails and market stall pop-ups.
