The movie theater on F Street in Davis isn't just a place to see a flick. It’s a landmark. Honestly, if you’ve lived in Davis for more than a week, you’ve probably walked past the neon sign of the Regal Holiday 6 Davis CA and wondered if it’s actually open or just a relic of a different era. People call it "the Holiday." It’s got that specific, slightly cramped, early-90s energy that you just don't find at the sprawling megaplexes in Natomas or Vacaville.
But here is the thing.
Most people assume this theater is a dying breed, a victim of the streaming wars or the newer, shinier Regal Davis Stadium 5 just a few blocks away. That’s not quite right. The Holiday 6 serves a specific purpose in the Davis ecosystem. It's the workhorse. While the Stadium 5 gets the massive Marvel premieres with the recliner seats that basically turn into beds, the Holiday 6 is where you go for the weird stuff, the holdovers, and the indie darlings that the college crowd actually cares about.
The Weird History of the F Street Cinema
The Regal Holiday 6 Davis CA sits at 101 F St, right in the heart of downtown. It’s owned by Regal Cinemas (part of the Cineworld Group), but it feels like an independent house. It was built in a time before "stadium seating" was a marketing buzzword. You know the vibe: the floors are slightly sticky, the screens are smaller than what you have in your living room if you’ve got a 75-inch OLED, and the popcorn smells like it’s been there since 1994.
That’s the charm.
Davis is a town that prides itself on being a little bit "off." This is the city that built a hole in the ground for toads to cross the street safely. A polished, corporate cinema experience would almost feel out of place on F Street. When you walk into the Holiday 6, you aren't looking for Dolby Atmos or 4DX seat shakers. You're looking for a $12 ticket and a quiet room to watch a movie without twenty teenagers filming TikToks in the back row.
Why It Survives Next to Stadium 5
You’d think having two Regal theaters within walking distance of each other would be a recipe for a business disaster. It’s not. They operate as a tag team.
The Stadium 5 handles the blockbusters. It has the luxury seating. It has the "event" feel.
The Regal Holiday 6 Davis CA handles the volume.
During the UC Davis school year, the demand for entertainment is massive. If a movie like Oppenheimer or Barbie is selling out at the Stadium 5, Regal just shunts the extra screenings over to the Holiday 6. It’s a relief valve. More importantly, it’s the primary home for limited releases. If there is a buzzy A24 film or a documentary that everyone is talking about on Film Twitter, it usually lands at the Holiday 6.
The screens are smaller, yeah. But the sightlines are actually decent because the theaters are so compact. You’re never miles away from the image.
The Elephant in the Room: The "Budget" Factor
Let’s be real for a second. The Holiday 6 is often cheaper. While prices fluctuate based on the day and the specific film, many locals know that the "Value Days" at this location are the best way to see a movie in Yolo County without breaking a twenty.
If you’re a student at UC Davis, money is tight. Spending $18 on a movie ticket feels like a personal attack. At the Holiday 6, you can catch a matinee or a Tuesday special and still have enough left over for a burger at Redrum or a slice at Woodstock's down the street. It’s the "people’s theater."
It also doesn’t have the same aggressive security or "mall vibe" that you get at larger complexes. It feels like a neighborhood spot. You walk in, you get your ticket, you grab a soda, and you’re in your seat in three minutes. There is no quarter-mile trek through a parking garage and three escalators.
The Technical Reality: What to Actually Expect
I’m not going to lie to you and say the projection is world-class. It’s standard digital projection. It’s fine. But if you’re a cinephile who cares about 4K laser projection and perfect black levels, you’re going to be disappointed. The sound is 5.1 or 7.1 surround—it's loud, it's clear, but it won't rattle your ribcage.
The seating is the biggest point of contention. These are the old-school rocker seats. No recliners. No heaters. If you have back issues or you’re 6'5", you’re going to feel the squeeze. But for a two-hour movie? It’s totally doable.
The layout is also a bit of a maze. The lobby is tiny. When a big movie lets out, the lobby becomes a mosh pit of college students and families trying to find the exit. It’s chaotic. It’s noisy. It’s very Davis.
Real Talk: Is It Closing?
Every year, there’s a rumor that the Regal Holiday 6 Davis CA is going to be leveled to build more student housing. Every year, those rumors turn out to be mostly hot air. While Cineworld (Regal’s parent company) has gone through some massive restructuring and bankruptcy filings in recent years, the Davis locations have remained relatively stable.
Why? Because they have a captive audience.
Davis is a "walking" town. People who live downtown or on campus don’t want to drive to Woodland or Sacramento for a movie. They want to walk or bike. As long as people keep showing up for the 7:00 PM Friday showing of whatever indie horror movie is out, the Holiday 6 stays alive.
Navigating the Experience
If you’re planning a visit to the Regal Holiday 6 Davis CA, don’t just show up and hope for the best.
Parking is the biggest hurdle. There is no dedicated lot. You’re at the mercy of downtown Davis street parking, which is basically a competitive sport. Your best bet is usually the parking garage on 4th and G, or just accept that you’ll have to walk three blocks. Honestly, if you can bike, do it. It’s Davis. There are more bikes than people.
Also, check the showtimes specifically for the Holiday 6 on the Regal app. A lot of people accidentally buy tickets for the Stadium 5 and then show up at the Holiday 6 looking confused. They are different buildings. Don’t be that person.
The Survival of the "Second-Tier" Cinema
There is something culturally important about theaters like this. We are losing our "third places"—those spots that aren't work and aren't home where you can just be. The Holiday 6 is a relic, but it's a functional one. It reminds us that movies don't always have to be a $50 "experience" with IMAX and gourmet meals delivered to your seat.
Sometimes, a movie is just a movie.
Sometimes, you just want to sit in a dark room with a bag of salty popcorn and watch a story unfold on a screen that’s bigger than your laptop. The Holiday 6 provides that. It’s unpretentious. It’s slightly dated. It’s exactly what it needs to be.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you want to make the most of the Regal Holiday 6 Davis CA, here is how you do it without the headache.
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First, join the Regal Crown Club. It’s free. You get points for every dollar you spend, and on Tuesdays, you get significantly discounted tickets. If you’re a frequent viewer, the "Regal Unlimited" subscription actually works at both Davis locations, so you can see as many movies as you want for a flat monthly fee. It pays for itself in two visits.
Second, don't buy the "large" popcorn unless you're sharing with three people. The sizes at this location are absurdly big, and the lobby is too small to comfortably carry a bucket the size of a trash can without bumping into someone.
Third, explore the surrounding area. The best part of the Holiday 6 is its location. You are seconds away from some of the best food in the valley. Grab a coffee at Mishka’s across the street before your movie, or head to Burgers and Brew after. It makes the "dated" theater feel like part of a larger, more vibrant night out.
Lastly, keep your expectations in check. Go for the movies, not the amenities. If you go in expecting a high-end luxury experience, you’ll be annoyed. If you go in expecting a nostalgic, cozy, and affordable cinema experience, you’ll have a great time.
The Regal Holiday 6 Davis CA isn't going to win any awards for architecture or innovation. But in a world where everything is becoming sanitized and corporate, there’s something genuinely nice about a theater that still feels like a theater. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but it’s ours. Support it, or watch it turn into another block of overpriced apartments. The choice is basically yours.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Check the official Regal website or app specifically for the "Holiday 6" location to verify current showtimes, as they differ from the "Stadium 5" site.
- If driving, aim for the E Street or F Street public parking lots at least 20 minutes before showtime to avoid the downtown Davis parking shuffle.
- Use the Regal Crown Club app to scan your QR code at the kiosk to bypass the often-understaffed ticket counter during peak hours.