Whether it’s date night, family time, or a solo venture, getting comfy and taking in a movie is a time-honored tradition. In the summertime, one of the most enjoyable ways to catch a flick is with outdoor movies under the stars, where movies are projected onto a large screen and soft breezes blow.
And in this economy, one of the biggest draws is that these experiences are often free.
Fortunately, there are ample opportunities to catch free outdoor flicks across North Carolina. So grab your low-slung chairs or blankets and take in the cinema alongside the scenery. And remember: It’s always a good idea to call or check social media beforehand for cancellations, scheduling issues, and the like.
Winston-Salem
Signature Community Nights
Where: Truist Stadium, 951 Ballpark Way, Winston-Salem
Everyone’s welcome at Truist Stadium’s Signature Community Nights. Bring a chair or blanket and settle in. This series takes place from April 24 to October 30, and free tickets must be reserved in advance. All three shows begin at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 27: Captain America: The First Avenger (with post-movie fireworks)
- Saturday, August 1: F1: The Movie
- Friday, October 30: Monsters, Inc.
Innovation & Cinema
Where: Bailey Park, 445 N. Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem (the lower lawn)
From April to October, Innovation & Cinema presents this family-friendly series of free monthly movie screenings. Movies begin at sunset, and food trucks and libations will be on offer. Best of all? Leashed dogs are allowed.
- Friday, June 12: Cars
- Friday, July 17: Back to the Future
- Friday, August 14: Tron Legacy
- Friday, September 11: Speed Racer
- Friday, October 9: Ford v Ferrari
Charlotte Area
Crossroads Cinema
Where: Camp North End, 400 Camp Road, Charlotte
Every Thursday from June through October, Camp North End offers its own movie schedule featuring popular movies from the 80s to today. There are also vintage arcade games and food stalls. Movies start at 8:30 pm.
- Thursday, June 11: Jurassic Park
- Thursday, June 18: Black Panther
- Thursday, June 25: Mamma Mia!
- Thursday, July 2: The Sandlot
- Thursday, July 9: Hamilton
- Thursday and Friday, July 16-17: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
- Thursday July 23: Iron Man
- Thursday and Friday, July 30-31: The Lion King
- Thursday, August 6: The Wizard of Oz
- Thursday, August 13: Love & Basketball
- Thursday, August 20: The Neverending Story
- Thursday, August 27: The Emperor’s New Groove
Movies in the Park
Where: Stowe Park Pavilion, 24 South Main Street, Downtown Belmont
With its jumbo outdoor screen and immersive sound, it’s no wonder Downtown Belmont’s Movies in the Park is so popular. This series takes place on weekends and features iconic films, cornhole and arcade games, and a bevy of food and drink options for purchase. Movies begin at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13: Homeward Bound
- Saturday, June 27: The Incredibles
- Saturday, July 11: Beauty and the Beast
- Saturday, July 25: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
- Saturday, August 8: The Emperor’s New Groove
Raleigh Area
NCMA’s Outdoor Movie Series
Where: Moore Square, 201 S. Blount Street, Raleigh
Bring your preferred form of sleeping to this free outdoor film series, which boasts food trucks from 6 to 9 p.m. Movies begin at 7:15 p.m.
- Saturday, June 20: Shrek
- Friday, July 10: Godzilla vs. Mothra
- Friday, August 21: Wicked: For Good
Movie Series at Pullen Park
Where: Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh
On the first Tuesday of every month from April to October, Pullen Park hosts free movie screenings suitable for all ages. Food and drink are also available for purchase. Be sure to check each movie’s start time, as they vary.
- Tuesday, June 23: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
- Tuesday, July 7: National Treasure
- Tuesday, August 4: TBA
- Tuesday, September 1: Wicked
- Tuesday, October 6: Toy Story 5
Movie Night Series
Where: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S. Academy St., Cary
Downtown Cary’s Great Lawn is an ideal spot for catching classic, family-friendly movies on Friday and Saturday nights from 6-10 p.m. Event attendees are encouraged to come early for family-friendly activities and bring their own blankets and chairs.
- Friday, July 3: Independence Day
- Friday, July 17: Finding Nemo
- Friday, August 7: Pirates of the Caribbean (The Curse of the Black Pearl)
- Saturday, August 15: Movie Night: How to Train Your Dragon
- Friday, September 4: Hamilton
- Friday, October 2: Frankenweenie
- Saturday, October 24: Double Feature with The Haunted Mansion and Poltergeist
- Friday, November 6: Minions
Asheville Area
Movies in the Park
Where: Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville
In addition to vendors, there will be games, music, and activities for folks to enjoy before the movies start around 8:45 p.m. Be sure to check online for updates in case of inclement weather.
- Friday, June 12: Black Panther
- Friday, July 10: Freakier Friday
- Friday, August 14: Cars
Movies in the Park
Where: Multiple parks throughout Henderson County
This free series features food trucks that begin slinging wares at 7 p.m. and classic movies that begin at dusk. Check the county’s parks and recreation sites for scheduling updates.
- Friday, June 19: Goat
- Friday, July 17: Hoppers
- Friday, August 7: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Wilmington Area
Summer Movies at the Lake
Where: Carolina Beach Lake Park, 400 South Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach
Pack some snacks and non-alcoholic drinks with your seating of choice for this free series taking place on Sunday nights in the summer. Movies start at dusk.
- Sunday, June 14: Paddington in Peru
- Sunday, June 21: The Wild Robot
- Sunday, June 28: The Garfield Movie
- Sunday, July 5: National Treasure
- Sunday, July 12: Lilo & Stitch
- Sunday, July 19: Goat
- Sunday, July 26: The Last Rodeo
- Sunday, August 2: Hoppers
- Sunday, August 9: How to Train Your Dragon
- Sunday, August 16: Jurassic Park
- Sunday, August 23: Sketch
- Sunday, August 30: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
- Sunday, September 6: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Northside Movie Nights
Where: Portia Mills Hines Park, 400 N 10th St., Wilmington
This recurring event is more than just a movie screening; there will also be vendor markets and free hamburgers, hot dogs, vegan options, and drinks. Films start at sunset (around 7 p.m.), and you’re encouraged to bring your own blankets and chairs.
- Sunday, September 27: The Proud Family Movie
- Sunday, October 11: Inside Out 2
- Sunday, October 25: Coco
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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