The holiday magic is returning to downtown Calhoun as the Friends of Calhoun’s GEM Theatre announce a full lineup of free Christmas movies throughout December. The theatre, one of the region’s most beloved historic landmarks, will welcome families from Northwest Georgia to enjoy classic holiday favorites at no cost.

The free movie schedule includes:

  • A Christmas Story – December 5 at 7 p.m.

  • The Holiday – December 6 at 7 p.m.

  • Miracle on 34th Street – December 7 at 3 p.m.

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas – December 13 at 7 p.m.

  • Lethal Weapon – December 19 at 7 p.m.

  • Home Alone – December 20 at 7 p.m.

  • Home Alone 2 – December 21 at 7 p.m.

  • The Nightmare Before Christmas – December 22 at 7 p.m.

The GEM Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Calhoun, has been a cornerstone of community entertainment for nearly a century. First established in 1927 inside a former furniture warehouse and later expanded in 1939, the theatre became Calhoun’s primary movie house for decades. Locals still fondly refer to it as the “old GEM-Martin Theatre,” reflecting its past partnership with the Martin Theatre chain.

After closing in the late 1970s and sitting largely dormant for years, the building was nearly lost until community advocates called for its preservation. In 2001, the theatre was purchased and restored through the vision of Raymond and Pearl King and their family. The nonprofit Friends of Calhoun’s GEM Theatre was formed to lead a full restoration effort.

Following a decade of fundraising and historic rehabilitation, the GEM Theatre officially reopened on August 27, 2011. The restoration later earned a Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Award in 2012.

Today, the renovated 461-seat venue blends vintage charm with modern amenities, hosting concerts, plays, films, and community events. During December, the free holiday movie series serves as a signature seasonal tradition—one that continues to draw families from Gordon, Chattooga, Floyd, Walker, and surrounding counties.

As organizers say, the GEM remains the true “gem” of Calhoun’s cultural landscape, inviting the community to experience both its history and its holiday spirit.