BBC is giving Whovians an extra special present for Christmas this year. The Doctor Who Christmas special will air on Christmas day, as usual, but will also hit nearly 300 theatres across the United States just a few days later.

The Christmas episode will see the return of Alex Kingston as River Song, who was last seen in series 7. Plot details are incredibly scarce, with BBC releasing only a bare bones episode description:

It’s Christmas Day in the future and the TARDIS is parked on a snowy village street, covered in icicles, awaiting its next adventure. Time traveler River Song meets her husband’s new incarnation, in the form of Peter Capaldi, for the first time this Christmas.

Capaldi spoke with Radio Times about Kingston’s return, and hinted at the possibility for romance, saying “Yes, there is [a chance]” but that he is “trying not to give it away”.

While some are understandably nervous about the return of River Song, feeling that her story has reached its natural conclusion; others are excited at the prospect of her meeting the Doctor in yet another form.  No word on how Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith feels about her return, though when Smith departed the show he reportedly asked show runner Steven Moffatt not to “give him [Capaldi] River”, quipping that he was “really possessive” of her character. Smith said that he was “really proud” that River was part of Eleven’s run and was “my wife”.

The theatrical event will feature an exclusive interview with Alex Kingston, as well as a behind-the-scenes “making of” special starring Capaldi and Moffatt. Tickets go on sale today for the event which runs on December 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. (local time). They can be purchased through Fathom Events or at participating theatres. Unfortunately, no dates or locations have been announced for any other country, including Canada or the U.K.

What do you think, American Whovians? Are you excited to see the return of River Song on the big screen?