10 best things to do in London during the holidays if you love movies

Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year with the best London Christmas events for movie lovers in November and December.

London is one of the only cities in the world that is totally immersed in its own typical Christmas magic. In addition to watching the dazzling decorations in the shopping streets and listening to the carol singing around the capital's biggest Christmas tree on Trafalgar Square, there is a bounty of lesser-known holiday activities that will delight any movie fan.

Celluloid Diaries scouted out the best cinematic events in London during the Christmas season. But beware, if London wasn't already on your list of European cities to visit during the holidays, it probably will be after going through this list of activities.

Floating Film Festival

At London's Floating Film Festival, you snuggle down under a blanket on a beanbag and watch the likes of Elf, Love Actually, and The Polar Express on the water at St. Katharine Docks. Mulled wine, hot chocolate, and snacks are available to tuck into while you watch.

St. Katharine Docks – December 4 to December 10

Hogwarts in the Snow

Thanks to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, you can go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter movies and visit the iconic sets which are all dressed for Christmas - glittering Christmas trees line the great hall and a festive feast is laid out on the long tables, the Gryffindor Common Room is filled with Christmas treats, special effect fires roar in the fireplaces, and the detailed Hogwarts Castle model is covered in a special blanket of snow. Winter has arrived at Hogwarts!

Warner Bros. London, Watford – November 18 to January 28

Read next: A Visit to the Magical Harry Potter Exhibition in Brussels

A Christmas Carol

You can watch actor Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, Snowden, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) on stage as Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' tale of A Christmas Carol.

The Old Vic – November 20 to January 20

Love Actually in Concert

The London-based Christmas rom-com Love Actually is playing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane accompanied by a live concert orchestra.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane – December 10 to December 12

Christmas screenings at the Prince Charles Cinema

Christmas starts in the middle of November at the Prince Charles Cinema in London, with a 70mm presentation of Gremlins. But once the calendar turns to December, there's no stopping the Christmas events. You can expect 34 screenings of Elf (18 regular screenings and 16 “quote-alongs”), 41 Muppets' Christmas Carols, 46 renditions of It's a Wonderful Life, an all-night Christmas movie marathon (complete with Christmas pyjamas, pillows, and blankets), matinee films with free Mince Pie, a sing-along screening of Frozen, and many other activities.

The Prince Charles Cinema – November 18 to December 31

Read next: Top 16 Scary Christmas Movies to Watch During the Holidays

The Snowman

This stage play at the Peacock is now celebrating its 20 consecutive years. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs and the movie directed by Dianne Jackson, this festive play transports families and children into the wintery world of a boy and his magical snowman.

The Peacock – November 23 to December 31

Snow Kingdom at the Backyard Cinema

Viewers can settle down with bean bags, blankets, and winter drinks while enjoying festive screeners of Home Alone, Elf, The Holiday, The Nightmare on Christmas, and more.

Backyard Cinema, Borough – December

Disney on Ice presents Passport to Adventure

Spend Christmas with Mickey Mouse and be transported to the worlds of The Lion King, Peter Pan, Frozen, and The Little Mermaid through song, dance, and spectacular ice skating routines.

The O2 – December 20 to December 30

Read next: Author Robert Gray's Favorite Christmas Stories

Festive Film & Fizz at One Aldwych

At the five-star hotel One Aldwych in Covent Garden, you combine the screening of your Christmas movie with dinner and champagne. The movies on the bill are Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, and It's a Wonderful Life.

One Aldwych – November 24 to December 24

Once Upon a Time

When the Christmas events are over, and you're still in the mood for more holiday fun, you can opt for New Year's Eve at the Gong Bar of the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard where the drinks area will be taking on the theme of crime movies and will feature entertainers who will construct your own original film.

Shangri-La Hotel - December 31

Are you spending the holidays in London this year? Which of these Christmas activities interest you the most?