It's the most wonderful time of the year, when Christmas classics are shown in movie theaters! And what's better than seeing a classic black and white Christmas movie on the big screen? When that movie screen is inside a historic theater such as the Catlow in Barrington, Tivoli in Downers Grove, or Music Box in Chicago, just to name a few. You can watch stars like Barbara Stanwyck, Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Fred MacMurray, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Rosemary Clooney, larger than life... I'm in!
Here is a list I compiled of upcoming movie screenings, for the most part at historic movie theaters, in the suburbs and Chicago. I will be attending the TCM double feature of A Christmas Carol and Christmas in Connecticut this weekend and also have tickets to the Annual Music Box Christmas Show. Do you have any plans to catch a Christmas movie in theaters this month?
● Various theaters, including Regal Crystal Lake Showplace Stadium 16 and Century 16 Deer Park
A Christmas Carol (1938) and Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Sunday, December 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Presented by TCM, with an introduction by Ben Mankiewicz
● Cinema 12 - 100 LW Besinger Drive, Carpentersville, IL
Home Alone
Saturday, December 20 at 10 a.m- Free!
Pictures with Santa before the show
● Catlow Theatre - 116 W. Main Street, Barrington, IL
It’s a Wonderful Life
Saturday, December 6 at 11 am
The Polar Express
Saturday, December 13 at 11 am
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Saturday, December 20 at 11 am
● Tivoli Theatre - 5021 Highland Ave, Downers Grove, IL
Pre-show sing-a-long accompanied by Wurlitzer Theatre pipe organ
The Miracle of the Bells (1948)
Monday, December 8 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
White Christmas (1954)
Wednesday, December 10 at 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Thursday, December 11 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m
It's a Wonderful Life - 2014 Christmas Benefit Show
Saturday, December 13 at 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Proceeds to Sharing Connection Furniture Bank
● Music Box Theatre - 3733 N. Southport Ave, Chicago
A Night with Elf
Thursday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Annual Music Box Christmas Show - White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life
Friday, December 12 - Thursday, December 25
Alternative Christmas Double Feature - Home Alone and Die Hard
Wednesday, December 17
● Patio Theatre - 6008 W. Irving Park Rd, Chicago
Christmas Cartoons
Saturday, December 13 at 2 p.m. - free!
Showing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and The Little Drummer Boy
It's a Wonderful Life
Sunday, December 21 at 2 p.m. - free!
Plus, take pictures with Santa before the show.
● Glen Art Theatre - 540 Crescent Blvd #1, Glen Ellyn, IL
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Saturday, December 6 at 10:30 am - free!
The Polar Express
Saturday, December 13 at 10:30 am - free!
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Saturday, December 20 at 10:30 am - free!
● Woodstock Theatre - 209 Main Street, Woodstock, IL 60098
Arthur Christmas
Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m.
pictures with Santa
● Ogden 6 Theatre - 1227 East Ogden Ave, Naperville
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m. - free!
Check out additional holiday film showings at other theaters at the Classic Cinemas website.
