7 of the Best Pop-Up Winter Cinemas
Christmas isn’t just about carols, mince pies and spending more time with your family than usual. It’s also about festive films – whiling away cold, rainy days whilst chain-eating chocolates and watching Bad Santa and Elf. That’s all good and well but when you need a change of scene we say get out of the house and watch a Christmas classic at one of these winter pop-up cinemas instead…
Cinema in the Snow
Cinema in the Snow
Returning for another year, Cinema in the Snow does what it says on the tin. Sitting with fake snow at your feet, the screen will show all the cult Christmas classics; Elf, Love Actually, Home Alone and It’s A Wonderful Life with mulled wine available from the bar. This year the Pop Up Screens event has moved to Hackney and will be the only cinema in London accessible through a wardrobe, Narnia style. Piers Morgan has previously attended so if it’s good enough for him…
Running 8th-18th December
Where: The Hackney Showrooms, Hackney Downs Studios, Amherst Terrace, Hackney, E8 2BT
Website: www.popupscreens.co.uk
Pop-Up Picture House
Michelin Standard Cinema Food
If the snacks you buy for the cinema are as important to you as the film itself (and for whom are they not?!) then this will be of interest. Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge is in charge of the food at Pop Up Picture House in Marlow, serving guests a fixed 2-course menu of film-specific comfort food with the help of his Michelin-starred team from his pub, The Hand and Flowers. Think The Italian Job with lasagne and salad, and The Jungle Book with a chicken and coconut curry. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available throughout the evening. Still want ice cream? It will be served in the interval.
1st December – 1st January
Where: Old Town Hall, 1 Market Square, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 3HH
Website: www.picture-house.co.uk
Hush
Classics in the Courtyard
So, you have a date/SO/best friend/free evening and you want to do something cosy? Outdoor cinema might sound chilly in these months, but not when you’re at Hush’s Classics in the Courtyard. Back for the fourth year they have blankets to snuggle under as well as hot toddies and complimentary popcorn (not that popcorn keeps you warm, it’s just a good incentive to go.). Throughout December they will be showing films at 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays which will banish any Sunday blues and on Christmas Eve they will be showing Elf with their special steak and lobster menu.
Now – 25th February
Where: 8 Lancashire Court, Brook Street, London, W1S 1EY, United Kingdom
Website: www.hush.co.uk
The Berkeley
Most Exclusive Cinema
With space for just eight guests, The Berkeley’s rooftop terrace cinema is the most exclusive cinema in London. This year they will be showing Miracle on 34th Street and Santa Claus: The Movie with two screenings each night. Down feather blankets and hot water bottles will keep you snug as will mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies. You can also add in Champagne and Christmas canapés and, why wouldn’t you? You’re on a rooftop in Knightsbridge…
Throughout December
Where: The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL
Website: www.the-berkeley.co.uk
Backyard Cinema
Enchanted Forest
Backyard Cinema are back with an enchanting winter forest where they’ll be screening Christmas classics such as Home Alone, Love Actually and It’s a Wonderful Life. To find the cinema you’ll need to find the magical wardrobe hidden in the depths of Italian market Mercato Metropolitano and wander down the secret tunnel of trees to the forest, where you can snuggle up under blankets, mince pie in one hand and mulled wine in the other.
18th November -4th December
Where: Winter Night Garden, 42 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR
Website: www.backyardcinema.co.uk
Want more festive inspiration? Check out our Christmas page.
