Holiday Movies Showing at Classic Buffalo Theatres

By Drew Brown

Published on | Last Updated

There’s something comforting about stepping through the front doors of Buffalo’s classic movie theatres – the smell of popcorn at the snack counter, the twinkling of lights down the aisle, the dimming of the house lights, even the creak of the old-time seats. Combine that with the spirit of the holiday season and you’ve got the recipe for a nostalgic experience unlike any other. Several classic Buffalo theatres cherish this time of the year by firing up the projectors to show timeless holiday movies, new and old. Here is what’s playing at Buffalo’s theatres this season:

Aurora Theatre

673 Main Street, East Aurora, NY

This vintage movie house, the Aurora Theatre & Popcorn Shop located in the charming village of East Aurora, has just the right touch of modern flair. Check out their stacked holiday showings – all of which are completely FREE. All showtimes are at 11:00am.

Arthur Christmas: Friday, November 24th, 2023

Elf: Saturday, November 25th, 2023

The Man Who Invented Christmas: Sunday, November 26th, 2023

The Grinch (animated): Saturday, December 2nd, 2023

A Christmas Carol: Sunday, December 3rd, 2023

Christmas Vacation: Saturday, December 9th, 2023

Holiday Inn: Sunday, December 10th, 2023

The Polar Express: Saturday, December 16th, 2023

White Christmas: Sunday, December 17th, 2023 (with sing along!)

It’s a Wonderful Life: Saturday, December 23rd, 2023

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North Park Theatre

1428 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY

The Buffalo Evening Times called North Park Theatre “Buffalo’s Finest Neighborhood Theatre” on its opening day in 1920, this North Buffalo jewel continues its tradition of seasonal screenings with holiday classics:

Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Saturday, November 18th and Sunday, November 19th, 2023 at 11:30am – tickets

It’s A Wonderful Life: Saturday, November 25th and Sunday, November 26th, 11:30am – tickets

Riviera Theatre

67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda, NY

Billed as the “Showplace of the Tonawandas,” the Riviera Theatre was built in 1926 and has remained a historic staple of the Tonawandas for nearly 100 years. Home to “the Mighty Wurlitzer,” the “Riv” presents a wide variety of entertainment including special holiday programming.

Miracle on 34th Street: December 13th, 7:00pm – FREE

Hamburg Palace Theatre

31 Buffalo Street, Hamburg, NY

Take a break from your holiday shopping by catching a totally free flick at this theater jewel of the Southtowns. Check back as the Hamburg Palace Theatre hasn’t announced their holiday lineup yet.

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Drew Brown

Born in Buffalo's Historic Polonia District, raised in East Aurora, current resident of the West Side, and I'm still discovering new things in Buffalo every day. I'm proud to represent our community as the Director of Media & Content Strategy for Visit Buffalo Niagara. Let's go Buffalo!