A Guide to Holiday Movies in Westchester 2025

Westchester theaters offer a wide range of holiday movies throughout December, from classic favorites to modern comedies and interactive movie experiences. Audiences can revisit time-honored titles like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story, enjoy family-friendly adventures such as The Polar Express, or participate in immersive screenings of seasonal comedies.

Also: For non-holiday movie releases and special screenings, check out the December edition of “What’s Westchester Watching?“.

Elf

December 3-20, 2025 at Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers
December 5-7, 2025 at Bedford Playhouse

Bedford Playhouse screens the modern holiday comedy Elf, starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human raised at the North Pole who travels to New York City. At Alamo Drafthouse presents the movie as an interactive “Movie Party,” complete with themed props and cues, pairing the comedy with Alamo’s signature in-theater food and drink service.

A Christmas Story

December 6 & 7, 2025 at Jacob Burns Film Center

Jacob Burns Film Center screens A Christmas Story, the cult favorite about a young boy named Ralphie Parker as he campaigns to his parents for a Red Ryder BB gun. The film’s nostalgic 1940s setting, dry humor and memorable scenes make it a perennial holiday favorite. 11am.

It’s a Wonderful Life

December 7, 2025 at Bedford Playhouse
December 21-24, 2025 at Jacob Burns Film Center
December 21, 2025 at Tarrytown Music Hall
December 24, 2025 at Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers

Frank Capra’s classic It’s a Wonderful Life stars James Stewart as George Bailey, whose crisis on Christmas Eve leads to an angelic intervention and a reminder of one person’s impact on a community. Anchored in themes of despair and redemption, this classic black-and-white holiday film encourages moviegoers to slow down during the bustling holiday season and reflect on the importance of life. 12:30pm.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Movie Party

December 8, 16 & 21, 2025 at Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers
December 23, 2025 at Bedford Playhouse

Chevy Chase’s hapless Clark Griswold returns in Christmas Vacation, presented as an Alamo Movie Party with interactive elements. Fans can quote along with their favorite scenes and enjoy themed surprises while watching the Griswold holiday unravel on screen. The 6pm screening at Bedford Playhouse will be followed by a Q&A with Jayni and Chevy Chase. Times vary at Alamo.

The Polar Express

December 9, 2025 at Tarrytown Music Hall
December 14, 2025 at Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers

Families climb aboard The Polar Express at Tarrytown Music Hall, where families can watch the animated favorite on the big screen. The film follows a boy’s magical Christmas Eve train journey to the North Pole, offering a nostalgic, family-oriented movie night in the historic theater. At Alamo Drafthouse, a Movie Party format turns the screening into an interactive experience, pairing the animated feature with themed activities including in-seat dining and props like a Santa hat, sleigh bells, and take-home activity sheets.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

December 13, 2025 at Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers
December 13, 20 & 27 at Jacob Burns Film Center

The live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas screens at Jacob Burns Film Center for the movie’s 25th anniversary so families can enjoy Jim Carrey’s larger-than-life Grinch on the big screen. On December 13, the family experience extends with a hands-on arts activity following the screening. Also on December 13 is a screening with interactive props at the Alamo Drafthouse.

Documentary: The Nutcracker at Wethersfield

December 14, 2025 at Bedford Playhouse
December 20, 2025 at Jacob Burns Film Center

This documentary chronicles choreographer Troy Schumacher’s effort to stage an immersive production of The Nutcracker at a Hudson Valley estate in 2020 during the pandemic. The film follows New York City Ballet dancers and collaborators as they reimagine the classic during a challenging season, highlighting resilience and the importance of live performance. The 12/20 screening at Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) includes a Q&A with Schumacher and the film’s director, Anne Sundberg. 12pm at Bedford Playhouse. 2:30 at JBFC.

Is it a holiday film? The verdict is in!

A pair of perennial debate-starters also make an appearance this season—films widely watched in December but endlessly questioned for their holiday-movie status.

Love Actually

December 14 at Alamo Drafthouse

Love Actually intertwines multiple storylines set in London during the weeks leading up to Christmas, blending romance, comedy, and ensemble-driven drama. While its themes range from joyful to bittersweet, the film’s holiday backdrop makes the movie’s status as a “true” holiday film remains a point of ongoing, good-natured debate among fans.

Die Hard

December 22 at Tarrytown Music Hall

John McTiernan’s 1988 action film Die Hard unfolds during an office Christmas Eve party, where NYPD officer John McClane becomes embroiled in a high-stakes hostage situation. The movie’s holiday setting and soundtrack cues tee up fast-paced action.

Other ArtsNews Holiday 2025 Events Guides:

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