Family Screenings

THE FESTIVE FAMILY COMEDY (WITHOUT KEVIN’S FAMILY) FLIES INTO AEROSPACE BRISTOL THIS DECEMBER

As part of our Christmas season in 2026, we’re screening the madcap misadventure Home Alone under the wings of Concorde at Aerospace Bristol. John Hughes’ delightfully mischievous film made a household name out of Macauley Culkin, its wince-inducing booby trap sequences remain a staple of the festive film-watching tradition - and of course, the rest of the McAllister family spend a lot of time on planes and in airports! So if you’re looking for something to get you out of the house and into the Christmas spirit, join us a film night flight of fancy (just don’t forget any family members en route…)!

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FEED YOUR INNER ELF THIS DECEMBER WITH THE PERENNIAL FESTIVE CLASSIC

This Christmas, Bristol Film Festival is taking over some of Clifton’s most beautiful and distinctive venues as part of Christmas in Clifton. With classic films, jazz concerts, a festive gift fair and more, get into the festive spirit with our films in one of Bristol’s most magnificent Victorian spaces: Clifton College Chapel. From Memorial Arch on College Road, step into one of Bristol’s most unique cinema spaces as we transform the Chapel into a pop-up cinema.

First up at Clifton College is Will Ferrell’s infectiously cheery outing as Buddy in Elf! With its anarchic humour, endearing wackiness and poignantly uplifting story, it’s small wonder that this has become one of THE films of the season. Watching it back on the big screen is a perfect way to prepare for the countdown to the 25th if you believe, like us, that it’s not truly Christmas until you’ve seen this film again…

THE PERFECT BLEND OF FESTIVE & FILM FAVOURITES, WITH A JAZZ TWIST, IN THIS EXCITING NEW COLLABORATION

Bristol Film Festival and Bristol Jazz Festival are delighted to present this very special collaboration as part of the former’s Christmas In Clifton celebrations, bringing an afternoon of festive and film-themed jazz to Clifton!

This spectacular one-off event will celebrate joyful and familiar Christmas songs - including Nat King Cole classics such as ‘Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire’ - as well as standards from the films we know and love, including Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Smile’ and ‘Pure Imagination’ from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

It’s taking place across an afternoon in Clifton College’s historic Prep Hall. There will be two family-friendly, 45-minute sets of music (one Christmas-themed and one movie-themed) with an interval.

The music is being performed by the Tom Berge Quintet featuring Grace Sheene. Led by the acclaimed composer Tom Berge, with some of Bristol’s finest jazz musicians and Grace’s powerful vocals, this will be a treat for all ages and for everyone from the casual music fan to the seasoned jazz veteran.

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THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS DOUBLE BILL COMES TO CLIFTON COLLEGE CHAPEL FOR A VERY SPECIAL MATINEE

In one of Bristol’s most beautiful venues, we’re presenting a very special double bill: Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, screened back to back with The Snowman & The Snowdog. The Oscar-nominated original and its stunning sequel have entertained generations, and we’re delighted to be presenting them together for a matinee screening this December. We might not all be able to sing ‘Walking In The Air’ like Aled Jones, but rest assured that these films will make your spirits soar just as high!

THERE’S MAGIC IN THE AIR IN THIS DEFINITIVE DICKENS ADAPTATION

Our screenings in Clifton College Chapel continue with one of the all-time great Dickens adaptations, The Muppet Christmas Carol. In addition to all of the usual ensemble cast of Kermit and friends, Michael Caine plays it straight as Ebenezer Scrooge, in a career highlight performance that underpins the trademark Muppet zaniness with real pathos that will warm even the sternest of hearts - and the setting within the Chapel will transport you back in time alongside the protagonists.

THERE’S MAGIC IN THE AIR IN THIS DEFINITIVE DICKENS ADAPTATION

Our screenings in Clifton College Chapel continue with one of the all-time great Dickens adaptations, The Muppet Christmas Carol. In addition to all of the usual ensemble cast of Kermit and friends, Michael Caine plays it straight as Ebenezer Scrooge, in a career highlight performance that underpins the trademark Muppet zaniness with real pathos that will warm even the sternest of hearts - and the setting within the Chapel will transport you back in time alongside the protagonists.

TWO DADS, ONE TOY, NO PRISONERS: WOULD YOU DARE GET BETWEEN ARNIE AND HIS SON’S CHRISTMAS PRESENT?

Jingle All The Way is the next film up at Hotel Du Vin for a 30th anniversary screening! Watch Arnold Schwarzenegger’s wonderful comic turn as an overworked suburban salesman on the hunt for the perfect toy for his son against the clock, and discovering the true meaning of Christmas (plus a posse of fight-ready Santa impersonators) along the way.

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THIS VINTAGE CLASSIC IS WITTY, WARM, AND THE PERFECT WAY TO INSTIL EXTRA MAGIC INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Get into the festive spirit with a special double bill of vintage Christmas favourites at Clifton Observatory. Perched high above the city, this historic landmark offers one of Bristol’s most atmospheric settings for a festive evening of classic cinema as part of our Christmas in Clifton celebrations.

First up, we’re delighted to be screening the original Miracle On 34th Street. While we’re certainly not criticising the Richard Attenborough remake, the Oscar-winning 1947 version remains a true Christmas classic, deftly blending wry humour and even legal drama into the irresistible childhood wonder that it invokes.

THE TIMELESS MOVIE MUSICAL THAT INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO ONE OF THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS SONGS EVER WRITTEN

Our second film at Clifton Observatory this December is the beloved musical Meet Me In St Louis. Directed by Vincente Minnelli (An American In Paris, Gigi) and starring Judy Garland, this story covers a year in the life of the Smith family - but it’s the Christmas sequences that have made it timeless, including the debut performance of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’. It’s a must-watch for any classic film fan!

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THIS MONSTER MOVIE IS FRIGHTENINGLY GOOD FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

To round off our 2026 programme at the Planetarium, we’re bringing two family-friendly 25th anniversary screenings back to the big screen, concluding with Disney-Pixar’s Oscar-winning classic Monsters, Inc. With its groundbreaking animation advancements, brilliant music and hilarious story that’s entertaining for children and adults alike, it’s little wonder that it’s become one of the studio’s most beloved creations of the century so far.

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ALISTAIR SIM’S TIMELESS PERFORMANCE AS SCROOGE TURNS 75 THIS CHRISTMAS

As the countdown to Christmas reaches its close, we look forward to welcoming you to one of Bristol’s most dramatic venues – the stunning Ashton Court Mansion! One of Bristol’s oldest and most iconic buildings, it’s a privilege to have it open its doors to our events, and this magnificent setting will provide the ideal backdrop for a trio of classic Christmas films.

We’re beginning our Christmas screenings at Ashton Court with one of the most beloved festive stories ever told: the 1951 classic A Christmas Carol (also known as Scrooge). Starring Alastair Sim in one of the definitive screen performances of Ebenezer Scrooge, this beautifully atmospheric adaptation brings Charles Dickens’ tale of ghosts, redemption and Christmas spirit vividly to life; we can’t wait to screen it for the first time at the Festival for its 75th anniversary.

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“INSIDE A SNOWFLAKE LIKE THE ONE ON YOUR SLEEVE, THERE HAPPENED A STORY YOU MUST SEE TO BELIEVE…”

The evening of Christmas classics at Ashton Court Mansion continues with Ron Howard’s delightfully zany take on Dr Seuss’ beloved book How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Jim Carrey may not be recognisable as the titular party-pooper at first glance, but his boundless energy shines through as he attempts to terrorise the citizens of Whoville!

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HANDS OF STEEL AND A HEART OF GOLD: EDWARD’S STORY IS AN ODDLY TOUCHING ONE

Our night of cult and slightly offbeat Christmas classics continues with the acclaimed romantic fantasy Edward Scissorhands. Tim Burton’s most personal work, it helped cement his reputation as a major director, and inspired at least a million Goths according to the last census.

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