We’re sure you’ll agree that one of the best part of the festive season is Christmas films, and Manchester isn’t short of places to screen them for our viewing pleasure. From underground cinemas to those out in nature, there’s a huge variety of experiences to be had whilst sitting back and watching classics from It’s A Wonderful Life to Love Actually, more memorable than just sitting in your front room. Make a day of it at one of the best and cosiest spots to watch Christmas films in Manchester.
1. King Street Townhouse
The most prestigious spa, hotel and restaurant in Manchester, King Street Townhouse, also happens to have a secret screening room in the basement, and it’s not as dingy as it sounds. The luxury 20-seat cinema feels positively royal with plush surroundings and art deco touches, and it’ll be showing some of the best Christmas films for the people of Manchester this festive season.
Christmas classics such as It’s A Wonderful Life and, perhaps controversially, Die Hard will be shown alongside modern classics like Home Alone and How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and festive romcoms like Love Actually and The Holiday. Find your fave and book here – but be quick, this small room sells out lightning-fast and with entire meals and cocktails available whilst you watch, it’s a truly luxurious experience.
đź“ŤKing Street Townhouse Hotel, 10 Booth St, Manchester M2 4AW.
2. Ducie Street Warehouse
Bring your friends, family and even dogs into the Ducie Street Warehouse Mini Cini and get lost in the silver screen, with Christmas classics filling the bill this festive season. Expect titles such as Love Actually, Home Alone 2 and Miracle on 34th Street at this covert film hub, bringing lovely cosy vibes to this once industrial warehouse. What’s more, you can explore the Ducie Street Warehouse complex before or after the screening, grab a drink or a bite to eat, and make a day of it! Explore what’s to come at the Mini Cini and book tickets here.
đź“Ť Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP.
3. Cultplex
Manchester’s leading champion of independent cinema, Cultplex, has planned a full month of festive screenings for you. Expect some banging cult classics, hidden gems, a Gremlins Christmas Party, a screening of Cold Wind Blowing and Q&A with the director and cinematographer and a special Christmas edition of Cultplex’s Quiz Show and Manchester Amateur Gaming League. Cultplex will be screening Christmas films such as Die Hard, Deck the Halls and The Muppets Christmas Carol, alongside unlikely screenings of films with Christmas scenes including Kill Bill Vol. I & II and Batman Returns, and Christmas episodes of shows like The Office. Find tickets here.
đź“Ť Cultplex, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF.
4. Manchester Christmas Drive-In
The beloved Manchester Christmas Drive-In cinema at AJ Bell Stadium, Eccles is making a comeback to answer our prayers – bring the whole family, don your best Christmas clothes and enjoy a truly magical Christmas night out with some of the best festive movies ever made. Enjoy Christmas classics like Elf and Home Alone whilst delighting in gourmet street food, homemade hot chocolate and the cinema’s world famous in-car sing-a-long. You can find tickets here.
đź“ŤAJ Bell Stadium, 1 Stadium Way, Eccles, Manchester, M30 7EY.
5. Into The Wild at Bollin Wood
Into The Wild, a forest experience tucked away deep inside the ancient woodland of Bollin Wood near Ashley, Altrincham, swaps modern-day technology for Mother Nature, allowing visitors to take the time to reconnect with their surroundings. The experience is also home to a teepee which will be showing Elf for families on December 22, 23 and 24 at 12pm and 6pm, offering a unique Christmas film experience out in nature. If you fancy watching the story of Buddy the elf with leaves and branches crunching under foot, you can book here.
đź“ŤAshley Hall Showground, Ashley Road, Ashley WA14 3QA (Access only from entry nearest Hale).
6. HOME 90s Christmas Movie Fest
This Christmas, HOME is taking us back to the decade that brought us Britpop, The Spice Girls and alco-pops with a fantastic festive film line up of 90s nostalgia and a cracking collection of cocktails specially designed to complement.
Screening from 3-22 December, HOME MCR will be showing Christmas films that have stood the test of time including Hook, Home Alone, Groundhog Day, Jingle All The Way, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jurassic Park and Death Becomes Her.
HOME Bar and Kitchen has also put together a cocktail menu perfect for sipping whilst indulging in the vibes of 90s Christmases past. The cocktail additions play on some iconic flavours of the decade as well as some signature cocktails given a 90s twist. If this intrigues you, book here for a Christmas film fest with a difference.
đź“ŤHOME MCR, 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN.