Music Box Theatre’s holiday sing-a-long shifts to drive-in experience

A Chicago holiday movie tradition will go on — with a twist.

The Music Box Theatre on Monday announced its annual holiday movie sing-a-long will pivot to a drive-in experience this year due to the pandemic.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas” will each screen four times from Dec. 11-24 at the Chi-Town Movies Drive-In, 2343 S. Throop. Every screening will begin with a pre-recorded Christmas carols sing-along with Santa, the theater’s house organist Dennis Scott, and the Music Box Carolers that attendees can enjoy from their cars. Screening times vary (4:45 or 9 p.m.) and vehicles can gain entry 30 minutes prior to show time.

Tickets, $41 per car (up to six persons) or $37 for Music Box Theatre members are available at musicboxtheatre.com.

“White Christmas” (1954) stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, and features a host of unforgettable songs by Irving Berlin, in a story about two Army WWII veterans and their plan to save a Vermont Inn owned by their former commanding officer. “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) directed by Frank Capra, stars Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, a despairing and seemingly hopeless man who, through the aid of his guardian angel, comes to learn the true meaning of Christmas and how the world would have turned out had he never been born.