Nothing brings the holiday spirit to life quite like gathering with loved ones to watch classic Christmas movies. In Alabama, several theaters and venues offer the perfect opportunity to relive your favorite holiday flicks on the big screen. From timeless tales like It’s a Wonderful Life to modern favorites like Elf, these screenings create cherished moments for family and friends to enjoy together.

Across the state, you’ll find plenty of spots embracing the season with festive film showings. Historic theaters like the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham and the Princess Theatre in Decatur host special holiday movie nights, complete with spectacular holiday decorations and sing alongs. Outdoor venues and pop-up movie events also add to the charm, where you can bundle up under the stars with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy the magic of the season.

So, dust off your favorite ugly Christmas sweater, check out local schedules, and get ready for a cinematic celebration of the holidays. Whether it’s a nostalgic classic or a family-friendly comedy, these holiday film events are a great way to create joyful memories and soak up the warmth of the season.

2024 Alabama Theatre Holiday Film Series In Birmingham

The 2024 Alabama Theatre Holiday Film Series presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka runs December 13-22. Tickets for all movies are $15 with children ages two and younger free of charge. Doors open 1 hour before showtime, and each screening will begin with a sing-along accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. The Alabama Theatre is located at 1817 Third Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.

• Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m. White Christmas
• Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m. The Polar Express benefiting Kid One Transport
• Saturday, December 14 at 7 p.m. Elf
• Sunday, December 15 at 2 p.m. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
• Sunday, December 15 at 7 p.m. It’s a Wonderful Life
• Monday, December 16 at 7 p.m. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. Home Alone
• Wednesday, December 18 at 2 p.m. Cartoon Matinee Triple Feature*
• Wednesday, December 18 at 7 p.m. The Santa Clause
• Thursday, December 19 at 2 p.m. Elf
• Thursday, December 19 at 7 p.m. Die Hard
• Friday, December 20 at 2 p.m. Home Alone
• Friday, December 20 at 7 p.m. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m. A Christmas Story
• Saturday, December 21 at 7 p.m. Elf
• Sunday, December 22 at 2 p.m. White Christmas Sing-Along
• Sunday, December 22 at 7 p.m. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

*Cartoon Matinee Triple Feature includes A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Bama Art House Film Series Holiday 2024 in Tuscaloosa

Head to the Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa for two days of holiday film classics. Tickets are $10* with doors opening one hour prior to the films. The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

• Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
• Saturday, December 21 at 7 p.m. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
• Monday, December 23 at 2 p.m. Home Alone (1990)
• Monday, December 23 at 6 p.m. The Polar Express* (2004)

*General tickets are $10 ($9 students & seniors/$8 Arts Council members); Polar Express tickets are $20 and include a movie ticket, meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and FREE popcorn and drink.

Shoals Community Theatre in Florence

Your holiday favorites will be on the big screen at Shoals Community Theatre in Florence—best of all, tickets are only $5! How will you decide which one to see? Shoals Theatre is located at 123 N Seminary St, Florence, AL 35630.

The Princess Theatre in Decatur

The River City’s historic Princess Theatre has a full line up of classic holiday films to delight all ages. Adult tickets are $7 and student tickets are $5. The Princess Theatre is located at 112 Second Avenue NE, Decatur, AL 35601.

• Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m Die Hard
• Wednesday, December 11 at 7 p.m. A Madea Christmas
• Sunday, December 15 at 7 p.m. Jim Carrey’s The Grinch
• Monday, December 16 at 7 p.m. It’s A Wonderful Life
• Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. Elf
• Wednesday, December 18 at 7 p.m. The Santa Clause
• Friday, December 20 at 7 p.m. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• Sunday, December 22 at 7 p.m. A Christmas Story
• Monday, December 23 at 7 p.m. White Christmas

Mount Vernon Holiday Movie Series in Tallassee

Recently reopened in the quaint downtown of Tallassee, the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center is hosting its first ever Holiday Movie Series that will knock the elf hat right off your head! The theatre will be decked out for the holidays and ready to show off the major improvements made to the space including brand new Irwin theater seating and a massive 33-foot mobile movie screen! The $12 “all in” ticket price includes admission and all fees. Children two and under are free. Doors will open one hour before showtime and concessions will be available for all shows.

• Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. Elf
• Friday, December 6 at 7 p.m. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m. White Christmas
• Saturday, December 7 at 7 p.m. Home Alone
• Sunday, December 8 at 2 p.m. Miracle on 34th Street
• Sunday, December 8 at 7 p.m. The Santa Clause
• Thursday, Dec 12 at 7. p.m. Home Alone
• Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m. The Santa Clause
• Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m. Elf
• Sunday, December 15 at 2 p.m. It’s a Wonderful Life
• Sunday, December 15 at 7 p.m. It’s a Wonderful Life
• Thursday, December 19 at 7 p.m. Polar Express
• Friday, December 20 at 7 p.m. Elf
• Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m. Home Alone
• Saturday, December 21 at 7 p.m. Christmas Vacation
• Sunday, December 22 at 2 p.m. White Christmas
• Sunday, December 22 at 7 p.m. Polar Express

Holiday Movies at Sidewalk Film Cinema in Birmingham

If you haven’t been to see a movie at the Sidewalk Film Cinema in Birmingham, you are in for a treat! The two-screen independent movie theater housed within the headquarters for Sidewalk Film Festival offers an intimate, modern setting for film lovers of all ages. Did we mention it features a full bar and yummy snacks? Located in the heart of Birmingham’s historic theatre district, Sidewalk is showing a limited selection of holiday themed movies. Plus for Star Wars fans, the cinema is showing many of the films during the holiday season! The Sidewalk Film Cinema is located in the heart of downtown Birmingham’s historic theatre district in the Pizitz Building, located at 1821 2nd Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203. 

• Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. The Holiday
• Saturday, December 7 at 10:30 a.m. The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Sunday, December 8 at 10:30 a.m. The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Saturday, December 21 at 10:30 a.m. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Sunday, December 22 at 10:30 a.m. How the Grinch Stole Christmas