The Santa Clause (Box Cinema)

The Hub on Verulam is screening The Santa Clause in its Box cinema on Saturday 12 December, just as the Christmas rush really starts to kick in. It's a Tim Allen comedy that's become a bit of a festive staple, and this is a proper cinema screening rather than just popping it on at home.

The story follows Scott Calvin, who finds himself in the most unlikely of situations when he unexpectedly takes Santa's place after the big man himself falls from a roof. From there, he discovers a mysterious clause that changes his life, and the rest is the family-friendly chaos you'd expect from a 90s Christmas movie. It's the kind of thing that works as a low-key afternoon out with the kids, or even on your own if you're in the mood for something easy.

If you haven't spent much time there, The Hub on Verulam is an all-day dining destination on Verulam Road that does a few things at once. It combines a Vesper evening restaurant, boutique cinema rooms, and a co-working space, and runs a regular programme of talks, screenings, and social events. There's a monthly Film Club led by in-house curator Finn Barrow, a Toddler & Kids Cinema programme of U-rated family films, and a Cinema Supper Club that pairs films with themed meals. This screening sits within that family-friendly side of things.

Practicalities: the film starts at 15:00 and should finish around 16:37, so you're out well before tea time. Tickets are £12, and that includes a small bag of popcorn. If you're driving into town, there's parking nearby at Christopher Place, Clarence Park, and Russell Avenue. The Hub is at 5 Verulam Road, St Albans, AL3 4DA.