Christmas is cancelled? Oh no it's jolly-holly well not! Not if these festive drive-in cinemas and car park pantos have anything to do with it.

Do you remember when these retro nights out saved our sanity back in the summer? They’re back again but with a jingle-bells twist, with mood-lifting festive movies you can take the whole family along to.

Buckle up, don the bauble earrings (no one will see you it’s dark) and let’s go.

Christmas Drive-In Cinema, Bristol

The place: Adventure Cinema, Old Filton Airfield, Gloucester Road North, BS34 7QD

The date: 11 Dec to 23 Dec

The flicks: This is a great one for catching a family film. Park up for the likes of Elf, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Gremlins and more. We hear spaces are limited so jump on this one pronto. Contact-free and social-distance friendly with additional measures put in place for a safe event experience, plus freshly cooked food and hot drinks and toilets available on site.

Car Park Panto, Horrible Histories Live on Stage, Cheltenham

The place: Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Evesham Rd, Cheltenham GL50 4SH

The date: Mon 21 Dec

The show: Someone’s come up with the genius idea of a Christmas panto drive-in and why the heck not! We are told this is a world first, with Horrible Histories guaranteed to banish that lingering 2020 fatigue with their own unique take on the season. There are live showings of Car Park Panto at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets are priced at £45 per car. Get booking. If you miss it here, it’s showing in Bristol on 19 December too.

PLUS … Another Glos world first. Head to Cheltenham Racecourse on Sat 19 Dec for a Drive-In Fireworks Spectacular, the county’s first ever drive-in firework display no less.

Just buy a ticket for your car, park up and enjoy an awe-inspiring, professional firework display from the warmth of your own car – or the socially distanced area in front of it. Roll your window down and let the party begin. Glow sticks totally appropriate.

Swindon Christmas Drive-In Experience, Swindon

The place: Swindon Designer Outlet, McArthur Glen Outlet, Swindon, SN2 2DY

The date: Mon 7 Dec to 13 Dec

The flicks: There’s an all-age offering at the Outlet this December with classics for young and old showing. There is space for thousands of movie fans at this giant car park handily located just off the A417. Expect one of the largest LED cinema screens in the UK with the very best sound sent direct to your car radio. As well as all safety guidelines in place, should it not take place a full refund policy is in place.

Further Afield

Luna Drive-In Cinema Winter, Birmingham NEC and London.

The place: National Exhibition Centre, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT and Copthall Stadium Greenlands Ln, Hendon, London NW4 1RL

The date: 04 Dec to 20 Dec (NEC) and 05 Dec to 22 Dec (London).

The flicks: Luna is one of the best and longest running outdoor flick-xperiences. Head to the NEC (masses of space guaranteed here) to see a smorgasbord of family-focused films, from Home Alone to Frozen 2 and It’s a Wonderful Life. You’ll find state of the art sound and screens, with speakers that don’t have to use your car’s radio meaning no need to run your engine and no risk of flat car batteries! Please note all vehicles must be under 2 metres high. Then tuck in to a fantastic selection of food and drink contactlessly ordered and delivered, and a carefully monitored Covid-safe environment.

Nightflix, Milton Keynes and Coventry,

The place: MK Bowl, Milton Keynes and Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, CV8 2RF

The date: 02 Dec to 24 Dec

The flicks: Ah, yes, we see what you did there Nightflix! Take a little road trip over to Milton Keynes or to Coventry for a film at one of these brilliant state of the art screens. It’s Covid-safe, contactless and you can order food and drink from your car. We like this one because they’re running the whole gamut this December from U-rated sugary sweet Christmas corkers to some hard-core, 18-rated action! Oh, and and right up until 24 Dec too.

Stay tuned on this page for more updates – we’ll be announcing any more alfresco pop-ups as they happen.