Holiday Classics Light Up Indian Lake Theater This December
Small-town magic meets big-screen nostalgia in the Adirondacks.
Photo courtesy Indian Lake Theater.
There’s streaming at home… and then there’s going to the movies.
Stepping into Indian Lake Theater in December is a reminder of how the holidays used to feel: the scent of freshly popped popcorn (topped with Stewart’s butter, sourced from Upstate New York cows — it’s the real deal), the familiar hush right before the lights dim, and the warm, low buzz of neighbors settling in beside you.
It’s communal, it’s nostalgic, it’s delightfully old-school — and this month, the cherished single-screen theater is rolling out a lineup of Christmas favorites perfect for families, film lovers, and anyone craving a shot of big-screen holiday cheer.
Across four special evenings, Indian Lake Theater will show White Christmas (December 11), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (December 12), and Elf (December 18), along with a live Gem Radio Theater performance of Sherlock Holmes: The Night Before Christmas on Saturday, December 14.
Because, sure — you can stream them. But nothing compares to watching Clark Griswold's meltdown on a legit big screen with a cup of cocoa in hand.
Why watching holiday movies in a theater still matters.
There’s a reason these once-in-a-year screenings pack the house.
Watching a beloved Christmas film with a crowd adds something you simply don’t get on a couch: laughter that rolls through the room, gasps of recognition, kids giggling uncontrollably at Buddy the Elf, and that collective “aww” when Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney harmonize on “White Christmas.”
It’s the same charm that keeps Indian Lake Theater at the heart of the Central Adirondacks — small-town warmth at small-town prices, no megaplex required.
White Christmas – Wednesday, December 11.
Crosby, Clooney, Kaye and Vera Ellen star in the holidy classic “White Christmas.”
Bing. Clooney. Vermont. Snow.
If that alone doesn’t spark holiday joy, White Christmas will.
The 1954 musical classic follows two Army buddies turned entertainers who team up with a singing sister duo to save a failing Vermont inn run by their beloved former general.
Expect cozy winter scenes, iconic musical numbers, and one of the most heartwarming finales ever committed to film.
Perfect for: Traditionalists, musical fans, and anyone who believes the season doesn’t start until Bing says so.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – Thursday, December 12.
The Griswolds are back — and Clark has big plans.
Beverly D’Angelo and Chevy Chase, Mr. and Mrs. Griswold.
Chevy Chase stars in the 1989 holiday comedy that turns the quest for “the perfect family Christmas” into a spectacularly chaotic disaster. Over-the-top decorations, a dessicated turkey, exploding sewage, unpredictable relatives — it’s all part of the fun.
This film shines brightest in a theater, where collective laughter becomes contagious. (Bonus: You don’t have to clean up afterward.)
Perfect for: Families with older kids, comedy lovers, and anyone who’s ever over-decorated their house “just a little.”
Sherlock Holmes: The Night Before Christmas – Saturday, December 14 (Live Performance).
Gem Radio Theater brings its annual holiday performance back to Indian Lake, presenting a live radio-style production set in 1886 at the home of the world’s greatest detective. Expect disguises, mischief, switched gift sacks, Christmas carols, and the sinister shadow of Professor Moriarty.
Looking for holiday fun? It’s elementary.
The story unfolds with humor, intrigue, and a classic radio-play charm that feels perfectly at home in this historic Adirondack venue.
If you’ve never seen a play performed as if it were a radio broadcast, you’re in for a treat. It’s an immersive auditory experience where voices and sounds build worlds, turning a stage play into a captivating "theater of the mind" you can truly hear.
Perfect for: Families, fans of vintage radio, lovers of live theater, and anyone who enjoys a clever twist on holiday storytelling.
Elf – Thursday, December 18
“Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”
The 2003 Will Ferrell hit has become a modern Christmas staple for a reason: it’s joyful, quotable, and absurdly endearing. Buddy, a human raised in the North Pole, heads to New York City in search of his real father — causing earnest, candy-coated mayhem along the way.
Kids will love the slapstick. Adults will love the nostalgia. Everyone will walk out smiling.
Perfect for: All ages. Seriously — if you don’t laugh at least once, check your pulse.
Know before you go.
Popcorn alert: Indian Lake Theater is famous for REAL Stewart’s butter. Treat yourself.
Tickets: Available online and at the door; small-town pricing applies.
Location: 13 W. Main Street, in the heart of Indian Lake, NY
Parking: Plenty along Main Street.
Bonus tip: Make an evening of it — nearby eateries make great pre-show spots for a bite or a refreshing quaff.
For more information, visit the Indian Lake Theater website and Facebook page.
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