'Miracle on 34th Street,' 'It's a Wonderful Life,' 'White Christmas,' 'Love Actually' come to Tampa Theatre

Call it a miracle on Franklin Street.

Santa Claus visits Tampa Theatre on Nov. 27, unwrapping the movie palace's Holiday Classics series, an annual gift of sing-alongs and cinema.

Mr. Claus, age unknown, will pose for photos in the lobby for an hour starting at 2 p.m., then introduce a screening of 1947's Miracle on 34th Street, the first of five yuletide favorites in the lineup. Show time is 3 p.m. each Sunday through Dec. 23, with an entire week devoted to George Bailey's realization that It's a Wonderful Life.

Although Mr. Claus' schedule limits to one visit, each Holiday Classics screening is preceded by Christmas carol sing-alongs with the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.

Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in 1942's Holiday Inn on Dec. 4, in which Crosby introduced Irving Berlin's perennial hit White Christmas. The next Sunday, Dec. 11, brings back Crosby and his song, alongside Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas.

It's a Wonderful Life begins a week-long residence at Tampa Theatre on Dec. 16, with eight screenings scheduled. The series concludes Dec. 23 with its lone 21st century offering, 2003's Love Actually, an octagonal romantic comedy.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children and Tampa Theatre members, now available at the Box Office and tampatheatre.org, with a $2 convenience fee.