Seven top picks for viewing holiday flicks
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Quick. What’s your favorite holiday movie? It’s a Wonderful Life? Elf? Die Hard? One of the best things about the winter season is watching (and rewatching) all the classic holiday movies out there. Some of you may just want to stay glued to the Hallmark channel for the next few weeks, but others are eager to share the communal activity of seeing a flick in a theater… or on a pool deck… or the rooftop of a parking garage. Check out all the fun ways to see a holiday movie in Las Vegas. Here are the seven top picks for where to watch holiday flicks.
1. The Front Yard at Ellis Island
The beer garden at the off-Strip Ellis Island casino has been streaming classic films throughout the holiday season, including National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Dec. 15) and Elf (Dec. 22). Each movie is screened twice a night: 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Expect a loose vibe and lots of patrons drinking Ellis Island beer while the movies are on. Book a reservation online.
2. AREA15
You’ve never seen a movie like this before. AREA15 is showing Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas through Dec. 25 inside The Portal with 3D projection mapping on the walls, a booming sound system and holiday decorations to match the tone of the film. Adult tickets include a specialty cocktail inspired by the cult classic.
3. Hidden Cinema Rooftop Gardens
This pop-up movie-watching experience takes place on the top level of a Downtown parking garage. Hidden Cinema Rooftop Gardens shows films on a large inflatable screen, surrounded by the lights of surrounding casinos for a fun only-in-Vegas atmosphere. Come by for The Nightmare Before Christmas (Dec. 16, 7 and 9 p.m.), Elf (Dec. 17, 7 and 9:45 p.m.), It’s a Wonderful Life (Dec. 18, 6 p.m.), The Grinch (Dec. 19, 6 p.m.) and Bad Santa (Dec. 19, 8:30 p.m.). A bartender is on standby with drinks and snacks while guests lounge on bean bag chairs and blankets.
4. The Cosmopolitan
Skating around the Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan has become an annual tradition for Las Vegans. It’s an engaging environment where you can watch snow fall, sip on winter cocktails and roast s’mores by a fire pit. It all takes place on the rooftop Boulevard Pool deck with the glow of the Strip as the backdrop. Come by on Skate Date nights when free holiday movies are shown on the Cosmopolitan’s towering video marquee. You still have time to catch Elf (Dec. 20), The Grinch (Dec. 21), and The Polar Express (Dec. 27). Skate rentals are $30 with a $10 discount for locals.
5. Galaxy Theaters
The Galaxy Theaters chain is offering $5 “flashback” screenings of classic hits, including It’s a Wonderful Life at Green Valley (Dec. 19, 22 & 24) and Boulevard Mall (Dec 19 & 24). Check directly for individual times.
6. Snappy Burgers
Snappy Burgers is a throwback drive-thru burger joint with a drive-in movie screen in the parking lot. Classic Christmas shorts like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town have been playing throughout the holiday season along with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Follow Snappy Burgers online to stay up to date on the latest schedules.
7. Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
Local libraries often have small theaters for viewing free movies. For example, Sahara West is showing Elf at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 and Windmill is showing It’s a Wonderful Life at 2 p.m. Dec. 19. Visit the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District website and reach out to your nearest location to ask about holiday movies this season.
