Top 10 Christmas films to watch in quirky Manchester cinemas this festive season

Nothing brings people together like a good Christmas film. Apart from a bucket of KFC perhaps.

It’s around this time of year that we think of grabbing our comfies, curling up with a hot chocolate or cupful of spiced and steaming mulled wine, binge eating mince pies and letting waves of cheery nostalgia wash over us.

And there’s nothing like a proper Christmas film to get you into the swing of things.

With the season well and truly upon us, we’ve wrapped up the best Christmas movies that you can catch around Manchester and popped them under your tree. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Here are our picks in no particular order.

Home Alone at Great Northern Warehouse

Join Forever Manchester for a special charity screening of Christmas classic Home Alone at the Odeon Great Northern Warehouse – the perfect film to kick off the yuletide countdown. Watch 8-year old mischief-maker Kevin McCallister protect his house from a couple of burglars when he’s mistakenly left at home by his family as they head off on their Christmas holiday. Tickets cost £10.75 for adults and £5.75 for children with all proceeds from the event going to the Forever Manchester charity which supports community activity across Greater Manchester. Click here for more info or to book in.

 The Muppet Christmas Carol at Elizabeth Gaskell’s house

Get into the Christmas spirit with one of the best Christmas films, The Muppet Christmas Carol showing at the house on December 17 from 1pm. There will also be family craft activities in the servants’ hall, plus mince pies and mulled wine on sale in the tea room. To put the cherry on top of the Christmas cake, there’s also last minute stocking fillers on sale in the shop. At just a £1 to watch the film, you can’t go far wrong. Click here for more.

The Holiday at King Street Townhouse

A Christmas cinema is coming to King Street Townhouse. It’s downstairs in the listed cellar space with a unique vaulted brick ceiling and cosy plush leather seats. This luxurious screening room is set to make for quite the festive film experience. You’ll be greeted with a glass of champagne or mulled wine, plenty of popcorn, mince pies and, of course, a feel good film. It starts in December and is set to show all sorts of feelgood classics like The Holiday, Love Actually, The Holiday, Elf, Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone. But you’d better be quick. Most screenings are sold out. Click here for more info.

Love Actually at Mayfield

The Mayfield will host Love Actually Live! and it’s set to be the ultimate festive night out. There’ll be live surprises (including a gospel choir), dance performances, a complimentary drink upon arrival, a themed cocktail bar and specially prepared street food. The event is sponsored by Lambrini and the pop-up cinema will take over Mayfield Depot on Friday December 8 and Saturday December 9. So head over for a fabulous night of fun, laughter, a big dose of Christmas cheer and maybe a spot of love. Actually. Click here for more.

It’s A Wonderful Life at Home

This is the place to go for firm festive favourites. The cinema will be kicking off with a special screening of Edward Scissorhands on the 8th December, followed by a party on the theme of this dark romantic fantasy. Other films in the season include the animated Tim Burton film The Nightmare Before Christmas on the 9th and 13th December and Batman Returns on 18th December. It also features such classic movies as tear-jerker It’s A Wonderful Life (from 9th December) and sparkling musical Meet Me In St Louis (11th and 23rd December). See you there. Don’t forget the hankies.

The Nightmare Before Christmas at Cat Cafe

Nothing says Christmastime cosiness like curling up in a cat cafe. The cat cafe has shows running throughout the festive season, kicking off with the likes of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Elf, Polar Express and all those other festive favourites. The ticket price is £15 per person and includes unlimited soft drinks, popcorn and a blanket to snuggle under. Lush. You can book by visiting www.eventbrite.co.uk and searching for Cat Cafe Manchester or by giving the feline crew a call on 0161 222 4960. You might want to give this a miss if you have allergies though. We’re not taking the blame for perpetual sneezing.

Miracle on 34th Street at Victoria Baths

Snuggle up in your hats, gloves and blankets for a magical Christmas experience in a stunning location. On Sunday 10th December, The Village Screen pop-up cinema returns to Victoria Baths for an enchanted Christmas cinema complete with magical dècor, sparkling Christmas trees and festive tunes. The Village Screen’s DJ will be spinning all the best Christmas classics and there will be food from local street food traders The Blue Caribou Canteen, Mac Daddies and Dim Sum Su. The Village Screen Bar will be open serving delicious Christmas-themed cocktails, beers by Thornbridge Brewery, prosecco, wines, mulled wine, soft drinks and a selection of cinema snacks and hot drinks. A night not to be missed. Click here for more.

Die Hard at Old Trafford

Old Trafford is used to hosting some of the biggest names in football. And this year, it’s movie stars that will be coming to town in the form of Christmas classics on a huge 100 square metre drive-in cinema screen. Bring the whole family, put on your best Christmas jumper and enjoy a truly magical Christmas night out with some of our absolute festive favourites. There’ll be German market-inspired catering on site, providing crepes and creamy hot chocolates to warm your cockles throughout the screening. So if you fancy watching a Crimbo film with a difference, click here. The showings are for three days only starting December 21st, so get in quick.

Gremlins and Grinch at Gorilla

RAD Screenings are heading to Gorilla with a twisted cult double bill of Gremlins and The Grinch on 14th December. You’re encouraged to wear tacky Christmas knitwear for these old school feel good festivities so Santa jumpers at the ready.

Elf at The Albert Hall

Never ones to do things half-arsed, the guys over at Albert Hall are hosting an Elf Christmas House Party on 17th December, 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. Click here for more info.