The Victoria Film Festival will be wishing local cinema lovers a very Movie Christmas at the Vic Theatre this weekend.
Santa Claus will even make a cameo appearance at Saturday’s 2⊇p.m. screening of A Christmas Carol . The family-friendly holiday event is doubling as a fundraiser for the non-profit whose next film festival takes place Feb. 1 to 10.
Organizers are encouraging children, parents and grandparents to enjoy some “family time” at the screening of the timeless 1951 classic, starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly tycoon who has a life-changing Christmas Eve epiphany.
Popcorn, hot chocolate and eggnog will be available at the concession, and there will be a Christmas carol sing-along.
“It’s not just a historic location, but a good cause,” says Meg Sugrue, communications and marketing co-ordinator. “The Vic has been acting as our major fundraiser, and every dollar spent goes toward programming for the film festival.”
The festival has been managing the Vic this past year, screening special presentations such as its “quote-along” movie fundraisers to breathe new life into the venue closed by Landmark Cinemas almost five years ago.
“We’re trying to get some other stuff to fly there,” said Sugrue, noting weekly programming is scheduled to start in the near future following a screening event in January. “There’s been some confusion about the theatre but we’re working on it.”
A Christmas Carol and last week’s screening of Elf marks the first Christmas programming at the Vic since the festival took over.
Admission to A Christmas Carol is $8, $7 for seniors and $5 for children. Doors open at 1 p.m. Holiday gift packs starting at $48 for film-festival screenings will also be available for purchase.
Tickets are available online at boxoffice.victoriafilmfestival.com or at the door (cash only).

Other seasonal movie events:
- Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa’s outdoor Christmas Starlight Cinema series continues on Victoria’s Inner Harbour adjacent to the hotel at 45⊇Songhees Rd., with a screening of It’s a Wonderful Life Dec. 19.
In the event of rain, the screening will take place indoors. Showtime is 6 p.m., and while admission is free, donations to Santas Anonymous are appreciated.
- Another seasonal favourite, The Polar Express: The Imax Experience, has returned to the Imax Victoria theatre in the Royal B.C. Museum. The film based on Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book about a young boy whose extraordinary train ride to the North Pole changes his skepticism about Christmas screens Dec. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m.; and Dec. 20, 22, 23 and 24 at 10 a.m. There are additional showings Dec. 21-26 (except Christmas Day) at 6 p.m.
Go to imaxvictoria.com or call 250-953-4629 for ticket prices and availability.
-  No Christmas season would be complete, of course, without seeing Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and Randy Quaid ham it up in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The twisted Christmas classic is back on the big screen Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at SilverCity. Admission is $6. Tickets are available at the box-office or in advance at cineplex.com.
mreid@timescolonist.com

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