Movie tickets cost a lot these days, especially when buying for the whole family. Luckily, you can save your hard-earned money and enjoy the cool evening air by catching a free outdoor screening at a local park. You’ll surely feel nostalgic and be reminded of the summers your parents took you to old-fashioned drive-in movie theaters as a kid.
Here’s your guide to which Virginia parks to visit, including one state park, and what’s screening this summer.
Northern Virginia
Movies Under the Moon
Location: Various locations in Fairfax
Dates: July 10, Aug. 14, and Sept. 11
Movies Under the Moon is a family-friendly movie series held at various City of Fairfax parks throughout the summer on the second Friday of the month from June through September from 8-10 p.m. Organizers caution that start times may vary depending on sunset. The movies are shown on an inflatable screen.
“Zootopia” will be shown at Pat Rodio Park at 3800 Keith Ave. on June 12.
“The Lego Movie” will be shown at Providence Park at 10715 West Dr. on July 10.
“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” will be shown at Ratcliffe Park at 10300 Sager Ave. on Aug. 14.
“The Secret Life of Pets” will be shown at Kutner Park at 3901 Jermantown Rd. on Sept. 11.
Movies in the Park
Location: 2905 District Ave., Fairfax
Dates: June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, Aug. 20
Have some fun shopping or dining in the Mosaic District before settling in for a show as part of Movies in the Park.
While the movie lineup hasn’t been announced yet, blockbuster hits are usually shown on the larger-than-life outdoor screen at Strawberry Park.
Sunset Cinema
Location: 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Dates: Aug. 28, Sept. 25, and Oct. 16
Sunset Cinema is a free outdoor movie event at Cherry Hill Park held by the City of Falls Church that starts towards the end of the summer and goes into the fall.
The screenings start around dusk, which is usually between 6:45 and 7:45 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a desirable spot. Drinks, popcorn, and snacks will be available for purchase.
Columbia Pike Movie Nights
Location: Various locations at The Pike
Dates: July 18, July 25, and Aug. 1
Returning for the 14th year, Columbia Pike Movie Nights will run from July through August this year. The free movie nights start around sunset at 8:30 p.m. at The Pike, a historic corridor in Arlington. Films are shown in English with Spanish subtitles.
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Leashed pets are welcome.
“Miss Congeniality” will be shown on July 18 at Penrose Square at 2501 9th Rd. South.
“GOAT” will be shown on July 25 at Arlington Mill on July 25 at 909 S. Dinwiddie St.
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” will be shown on Aug. 1 at Penrose Square.
Starlight Cinema
Location: 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly
Dates: Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, and Aug. 22
Fairfax County’s Starlight Cinema will be dominated by Disney this year, with screenings ranging from princesses to fish. Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith describes the series as an opportunity to come together to foster community spirit.
Gates at the Sully Historic Site open at 6:30 p.m., with the screenings starting at dusk. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and picnics.
“Tangled” will be shown on Saturday, Aug. 1.
“Zootopia 2” will be shown on Sunday, Aug. 9.
“Finding Nemo” will be shown on Saturday, Aug. 15.
“Cars” will be shown on Saturday, Aug. 22.
Hampton Roads
Beach Blanket Cinema
Location: 29th Street, Virginia Beach
Dates: June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 14, July 15, July 17, July 18, July 23, July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, and Aug. 20
Virginia Beach holds Beach Blanket Cinema, a free summer outdoor film screening series, on Thursdays along the beach on 29th Street. The screenings run from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
“A Minecraft Movie” will be shown on June 18.
“Hocus Pocus” will be shown on June 25.
“Lilo & Stitch” will be shown on July 2.
“The Karate Kid” will be shown on July 9.
Pirates in Pictures is a special week within the Beach Blanket Cinema series. From Tuesday, July 14, to Saturday, July 18, films exclusively focused on pirates will be shown. “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” will be shown on July 14. “Hook” will be shown on July 15. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” will be shown on July 16. “Muppet Treasure Island” will be shown on July 17. The week will end with “Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World’s End” on July 18.
“Zootopia 2” will be shown on July 23.
“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” will be shown on July 30.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” will be shown on Aug. 6.
“How to Train Your Dragon” will be shown on Aug. 13.
“SpongeBob Movie: Search for SpongePants” will be shown on Aug. 20.
Southwest Virginia
Outdoor Movie Night – The Story of the New River
Location: 116 Orphanage Dr., Max Meadows
Date: July 24
Visit New River Trail State Park for Outdoor Movie Night under the stars in the amphitheater in the Historic Village of Foster Falls.
“The Story of the New River” was produced by Blue Ridge PBS and the New River Conservancy to stress the significance and unique nature of the New River. Stretching 320 miles in length across Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, the ancient river is one of the five oldest rivers in the world.
While admission is free, there is still a Virginia State Park parking fee.
Movies on the Move
Locations: Various locations in Franklin County
Dates: June 26, July 24, Aug. 21, and Sept. 18
Franklin County’s Movies on the Move is just that—each installment of the series takes place at a different location in the county. Attendees are encouraged to arrive an hour early to play outdoor games and visit the Bookmobile for crafts. Giveaways will be available for the first 50 children.
“Lilo & Stitch” will be shown at Waid Park at 701 Waid Park Rd., Rocky Mount, at 8:30 p.m. on July 26.
“Zootopia 2” will be shown at Antioch Community Park at 2350 Callaway Rd., Rocky Mount, at 8:30 p.m. on July 24.
“GOAT” will be shown at Ferrum Elementary School at 660 Ferrum School Rd., Ferrum, at 8:15 p.m. on Aug. 21.
“Hoppers” will be shown at Franklin County Recreation Park at 2150 Sontag Rd., Rocky Mount, 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 18.
Movies in the Park
Location: 731 Indiana St., Salem
Dates: June 26, July 24, Aug. 21, and Sept. 18
This is the third summer the Salem Parks and Recreation Department has held Movies in the Park at Kiwanis Park. The free series will show family-friendly movies on select Friday nights. Gates open at 7 p.m., with the screenings starting at dusk.
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. The concession stand will be open.
“Bad Guys 2” will be shown on June 26.
“Lilo & Stitch” will be shown on July 24.
“Elio” will be shown on Aug. 21.
“How to Train Your Dragon” will be shown on Sept. 18.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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