Electric Christmas
The Electric Palace, Hastings Old Town’s volunteer-run community cinema, has released details of its 2025 festive programme. Dubbed ‘Electric Christmas’, the run of shows aims to balance traditional Hollywood crowd-pleasers with unique, locally curated events, keeping the cinema doors open well beyond Christmas Day.
The Muppets with Michael Caine
As a Community Interest Company, the cinema relies on ticket sales and its team of 30 volunteers to maintain its presence on the High Street. This year’s programme reflects that community spirit, offering a mix of relaxed screenings, interactive events and classic cinema.
For families and lovers of the classics, the schedule features heavy hitters of the Christmas genre. It’s A Wonderful Life returns for multiple screenings leading up to Christmas Eve. Elf is back with a competitive twist – the cinema is offering a prize for the best fancy-dressed elf during the run. Meanwhile, The Muppet Christmas Carol will be shown as a sing-along edition, alongside relaxed screenings tailored for a gentler environment.
Beyond the blockbusters, the programme leans into cinema history and local culture. On Sunday 14 December, the cinema hosts Jingle Bells, a nostalgic deep dive into screen advertising. Rob Dean will introduce a selection from his father’s iconic Pearl & Dean archives in celebration of ITV’s 70th anniversary.
Interactive entertainment continues with the return of the Festive Film Quiz on 5th December, and a Christmas Art Show on 14th December, where locals can browse merchandise while enjoying mulled wine and mince pies from the licensed bar.
For those seeking a break from sentimental classics, the cinema is screening Gremlins, remastered in 4K and hosted by former Horror Channel presenter Emily Booth. Indie film fans can also catch indie-director Charles Poekel’s Christmas, Again (not to be confused with the later, Disney Channel, Christmas … Again?) a low-key romantic drama about a melancholy New York tree salesman.
Notably, the cinema remains open during the ‘Betwixtmas’ period. The season concludes with Billy Wilder’s multi-Oscar-winning comedy-drama The Apartment on 28th December, providing a classic screening for residents entertaining visiting relatives after the main festivities have ended.
Tickets and full schedule details are available now via the Electric Palace website. electricpalacecinema.com
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