The Best Summer Outdoor Movie Screenings in the Sacramento Area

One of our favorite summertime traditions is lounging on a blanket at a neighborhood park to watch a movie under the stars. Thankfully, there are several opportunities to do so throughout the Sacramento area all summer long. These outdoor movie series take full advantage of the cool and calm summer nights we enjoy in the Sacramento region. Plus, most of these movies are completely free!

Grab your lawn chairs, buy a hot dog or some popcorn and soda, and settle down for a movie surrounded by family, friends and neighbors.

Friday Moonlight Movies | Rancho Cordova

Photo Courtesy of the Cordova Community Council

This Rancho Cordova tradition will keep the whole family entertained throughout the summer. Grab your blanket and lawn chairs and head to Village Green Park to see a free kid-friendly movie under the stars every Friday in June! Seating and snack vendor service starts at 7:30 and the screening is at 8:30 p.m. Take a trip around the world this summer with this special line-up of movies:

June 1: Coco

June 8: Mama Mia

June 15: Mulan

June 22: Fantastic Beasts

June 29: Lion King

Off the Wall Summer Movie Series at the Crocker | Sacramento

These movies are (literally!) off the wall. This summer, the Crocker Art Museum is hosting a movie series celebrating the art of cult films. Gather with family and friends, enjoy movie-inspired cocktails, and watch a classic comedy film projected on the giant wall of the museum’s outdoor courtyard. “From the know-by-heart dialogue of The Princess Bride and the ironically sharp wit of Idiocracy to the irreverent and hilarious performances in Blues Brothers, these screenings are wonderful opportunities to come together, laugh out loud, and create new summer memories at the Crocker.” — Crocker Art Museum

June 7: Princess Bride

July 5: Idiocracy

August 2: Blues Brothers

Movies in the Park | Natomas

Join Councilmember Angelique Ashby for free movies in the park throughout the summer! Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy free popcorn and water (while supplies last) and watch these fun movies on a large screen at North Natomas Regional Park.

June 15: Leap!

June 29: Despicable Me 3

July 20: The Emoji Movie

August 10: Cars 3

Movies in the Park | Roseville

Photo Courtesy of Mr. Loren Cook via the Roseville Coalition of Neighborhood Associations

Don’t miss Roseville’s annual movie series, Movies in the Park. Thankfully, you have plenty of opportunities and varying venues to ensure you go to at least one showing! Each evening in the park features bounce houses from 6:30–8 p.m., food and refreshments available for purchase, a special raffle drawing, and a movie at sundown on a 30-foot screen. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy dinner while you watch a movie with family, friends and neighbors.

June 9: Despicable Me 3 (Woodbridge Park)

June 23: Lego Ninjago (Santucci Park)

July 14: Wonder (Maidu Park)

July 28: Paddington 2 (Buljan Park)

August 11: Coco (Wanish Park)

August 25: Cars 3 (Festersen Park)

Screen on the Green | Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of Screen on the Green

Brought to you by Councilmember Jeff Harris, Screen on the Green is a popular summer tradition for Sacramento residents. Head to the riverside Gardenland Park on July 28 to see Coco, or Glenn Hall Park in East Sacramento for Jumanji. This event is completely free and the movie begins at sundown, which is at approximately 8:15 p.m.

July 28: Coco (Gardenland Park)

August 25: Jumanji (Glenn Hall Park)

Food Truck Cinema | Roseville

Food Truck Cinema is more than just a movie screening — it’s an awesome night of entertainment. Enjoy food trucks, live music from local bands, a craft beer garden, a wine bar, and of course — a movie showing on a large outdoor screen. Take a look at the 2018 lineup of movies and head to Woodcreek Golf Course in Roseville for an unforgettable evening!

May 19: Grease

June 16: Dirty Dancing

July 3: The Princess Bride

July 21: TBA

August 18: TBA

September 15: TBA

October 27: TBA

GATHER: Movies in the Park | Rocklin

Graphic Courtesy of GATHER: Movies in the Park

GATHER: Movies in the Park is a series of fun, food, music and a movie taking place at various parks throughout Rocklin this summer. Enjoy outdoor dining, interactive art, an artisan alley, local food trucks, an activity station for kids, and a movie to complete the night. The event begins at 5 p.m. and the film starts at dusk! Admission to GATHER: Movies in the Park is free and there will be food and drinks available for purchase.

May 18: Kicking & Screaming (Whitney Park)

June 22: The Emoji Movie (Peter Hill Heritage Park)

July 13: Peter Rabbit (Kathy Lund Park)

August 3: Coco (Twin Oaks Park)

September 21: A Wrinkle in Time (Quarry Park)

Fair Oaks Movies in the Park | Fair Oaks

Photo Courtesy of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District

The Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District and Spanda Industrial General Contractors are proud to present this free summer Movies in the Park series at Village Park in Fair Oaks. Come early to get a good seat and enjoy the Wonderful Outdoor World (W.O.W.) bus before the movie begins. Concessions, including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, ice cream, and soda, will be available for purchase, but admission is free!

June 15: Coco

July 20: Wonder + #CHOOSEKIND Pre-Event

August 17: Paddington 2

West Wind Drive-In | Sacramento

When in doubt, you can always see an outdoor movie at West Wind Drive-In, a state-of-the-art outdoor theater between Sacramento and Rancho Cordova. This retro and nostalgic theater was one of the first drive-in theaters to fully embrace technology with the installation of the largest digital projectors available. They project a crystal clear digital image and use new technology to beam audio straight to your car stereo. Plus, West Wind Drive-In shows first-run movies at the same time as indoor theaters, so you can see current films!

Ticket prices are $7.95 per person for general admission, $1.50 for kids ages 5–11, and free for kids under 4 years of age. Tuesday is Family Fun Night at West Wind Drive-In, which means general admission is $5.50 per person and $1.50 for kids.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Enjoy these films both old and new under the stars this summer! And let us know if there are any community movie series we need to add to this list. Comment below with any suggestions!