This holiday season is about to get a lot merrier as its festive outdoor movie screenings are set for December. Prepare to be transported to a world of holiday enchantment with The Galileo Open Air Cinema’s Christmas-themed movie line-up, perfect for the entire family.
The special movie screenings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are elevated thanks to themed decor, candy canes and Santa hats, a hearty helping of popcorn, a backrest and a blanket for all, ensuring supreme comfort, perfect for those post-sunset family cuddles. Be sure to partake in giant lawn games, greet fellow movie lovers and share the joy on Christmas Day.
There’s so much activities for the kids and it’s time to enjoy the movie magic, a hearty picnic experience and exclusive Christmas attractions on the banks of Kirstenbosch Gardens and other great venues too.
What’s on at The Galileo this month:
Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing is a 1987 American romantic drama dance film, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. It tells the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman (Grey), a young woman who falls in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze) at a vacation resort
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 9 December 2023. Doors open at 5pm and movie starts at 8.15pm
Where: Blaauwklippen Wine Estate, Strand Rd, R44, Stellenbosch
Couples Retreat
Couples Retreat is a 2009 American romantic comedy centered around four couples who settle into a tropical-island for a vacation. While one of the couples is there to work on their marriage, the others fail to realize that participation in the resort’s therapy sessions is not optional. Starring Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristin Bell and cast.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Monday, 11 December 2023. Doors open at 6pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Gate 2, Rhodes Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
Grease
Grease is a classic musical rom-com that unfolds the 1958 summer romance of T-Bird greaser – Danny and good girl – Australian transfer student Sandy. The film stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Tuesday, 12 December 2023. Doors open at 6pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Gate 2, Rhodes Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
The Greatest Showman
The Greatest Showman is a biographical musical about young Phineas T. Barnum’s life as a child, entrepreneur, museum owner, circus producer, and entertainment producer. Celebrating the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Wednesday, 13 December 2023. Doors open at 6pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Gate 2, Rhodes Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a 2018 British-American jukebox musical romantic comedy film. It is the sequel to the 2008 film Mamma Mia!, which in turn is based on the 1999 musical of the same name using the music of ABBA.
The film features an ensemble cast, including Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Andy García, Meryl Streep, and Cher. Both a prequel and a sequel, the plot is set after the events of the previous film, and is intersected with flashbacks to Donna’s youth in 1979, with some scenes from the two time periods mirroring each other.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 16 December 2023. Doors open at 5pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Nederburg Wine Farm, Sonstraal Rd, Paarl
The Last Christmas
The Last Christmas promises a delightful romantic comedy-drama experience. The film stars Emilia Clarke, a woman subscribed to bad decisions. Working as an elf in a year-round Christmas store is not good for the wannabe singer. However, she forms a relationship with a mysterious man (Henry Golding) and begins to fall for him.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Wednesday, 20 December 2023. Doors open at 6pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Gate 2, Rhodes Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
The Family Stone
The Family Stone is at 2005 American comedy-drama film. The plot follows the Christmas holiday misadventures of the Stone family in a small New England town when the eldest son brings his uptight girlfriend home with the intention of proposing to her with a cherished heirloom ring. Overwhelmed by the hostile reception, she begs her sister to join her for emotional support, which triggers further complications.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Thursday, 21 December 2023. Doors open at 6pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Gate 2, Rhodes Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
Home Alone
As Christmas Eve approaches, there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than by joining in the fun for a special screening featuring the heart-warming holiday classic Home Alone. In this touching film suitable for all ages, viewers will follow the adventures of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who finds himself home alone during a family vacation where he must protect his home from two bumbling burglars.
A fun, festive, family show for Christmas Eve!
This special event includes festive-themed picnic movie experience, tickets are R275 per person and include a popcorn, candy cane and Christmas hat, backrest, blanket.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Sunday, 24 December 2023. Doors open at 6pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Gate 2, Rhodes Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
The Grinch Special Christmas Day Show
The celebrations continue into Christmas Day, where Kirstenbosch delivers the perfect backdrop to unforgettable holiday memories and perhaps even a new holiday tradition. Known as Dr. Seuss The Grinch this 2018 American computer-animated Christmas comedy film will make everyone’s hearts swell with holiday cheer.
Share in the Christmas Day festivities
Doors open at 6 pm, and before the movie begins. The whole family and the kids can partake in giant lawn games, take in the festive vibe and share the Christmas love. Forget any slaving over a hot stove this festive period and rather indulge in the on-site mini-market, where you’re able to indulge in mouth-watering pizza, juicy burgers and tasty wraps. Try the bar and barista services, where you can sip back and relax. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and Halaal options are available.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Monday, 25 December 2023. Doors open at 6pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Gate 2, Rhodes Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
Early booking for special screenings is recommended. See the full December line-up here: thegalileo.co.za and book now for a summer holiday filled with movie magic!
Spiderman: Across The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse is a 2023 American computer-animated superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Miles Morales/Spider-Man. Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.
Cost: From R140pp, book via Webtickets
When: Wednesday, 27 December 2023. Doors open at 6pm and movie starts at 8.30pm
Where: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Gate 2, Rhodes Ave, Newlands, Cape Town
