The festive season is well and truly underway, and we have an exceptional selection of Christmas films and events to preview for you. As well as big seasonal releases at multiplex cinemas citywide, you'll find fantastic alternative Christmas celebrations in some of the Leeds city region's most unique venues.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale and more at Square Chapel Arts Centre
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is one of the lesser seen seasonal greats from the last ten years. In the dark Finnish fantasy, a young boy thinks a secret mountain drilling project near his home in northern Finland has uncovered the tomb of Santa Claus. 1950s romantic drama Carol and favourites like White Christmas and Gremlins also screen as part of Square Chapel's programme of Christmas films.
Rare Exports: Sun 9 December, 4pm. Square Chapel, Halifax

Die Hard: 5 film marathon at the Belgrave Music Hall
The original Die Hard is one of the greatest action films of all time, with a seasonal setting that makes it unexpectedly perfect Christmas viewing. Join Belgrave Music Hall for a movie marathon featuring all five films in the explosive Die Hard series. Bruce Willis stars as the tough New York cop who always finds himself at the centre of a crisis, including a legendary showdown with villain Hans Gruber. 
Sunday 9 December, 11am. Belgrave Music Hall

Xmas screening and feast: The Wonders
In The Wonders, a family of beekeepers living in the Tuscan countryside find their household disrupted by the arrival of a silently troubled teenage boy and a reality TV show being filmed in the vicinity. Here's a chance to see Italian director Alice Rohrwacher's earlier film, prior to the Cannes prize-winning Happy as Lazzaro. Entry is free, and there will be a food share buffet afterwards, organised by Leeds Cineforum. 
Wednesday 12 December, 7pm. Hyde Park Book Club

INDIs Film Night: #RIPVine + Tangerine
Set in Hollywood on Christmas eve, Tangerine is a fresh, funny and acutely human comedy about a day in the life of some of Tinseltown’s edgier residents. Alongside Tangerine is #RIPVine, a compilation celebrating the video platform that brought joy to millions over the world with its hilarious and inventive 6 second videos. Tickets are just £3. Presented in partnership with Leeds Queer Film Festival. 
Thu 13 December, 7pm. The Carriageworks

The Snowman & The Nutcracker
The score to Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman is arguably the most cherished soundtrack to the Christmas season. Always a Christmas highlight at Leeds Town Hall, the Orchestra of Opera North performs the music live in all its heart-melting splendour to a screening of the animation. Before the screening, live narration transports us to a magical land of toys and sweets as the orchestra perform a suite from Tchaikovsky‘s ballet music The Nutcracker.
Sun 16 December, 4pm. Leeds Town Hall 

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Sing-a-long
A musical that's as jolly as they come, Everyman Leeds present a Sing-a-long Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes star in this old-fashioned fantasy about a down-on-his-luck inventor who turns a broken-down Grand Prix car into a fancy vehicle for his children, before going on a magical adventure to save their grandfather in a far-off land. 
Sun 16 December, 1.30pm. Everyman Leeds

Sneaky Experience at Canal Mills: Home Alone, Love Actually and Elf
The annual Sneaky Experience Christmas celebration is also one of the final events happening at the popular Canal Mills venue ahead of its redevelopment. Home Alone, Love Actually and Elf all feature as part of an all-day Christmas movie marathon, where you're invited to dig out your Elf onesies and reindeer antlers, and enjoy the street food and music that's on offer. 
Sat 22 December, from 5pm. Canal Mills

Anna and the Apocalypse: a comedy horror zombie musical!
Anna and the Apocalypse is the comedy horror Christmas zombie musical you've been waiting for all year! When a zombie apocalypse and threatens the small Scottish town she lives in, Anna and her friends must fight, slash and sing their way to survival as they battle hordes of the undead to reach their loved ones. A movie mashup that crosses Shaun of the Dead with High School Musical and a touch of Buffy. 
Sat 22 December, 6pm. Hyde Park Picture House