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39 Free Outdoor Movies in Chicago this Summer for Kids

Millennium Park Summer Film Series offers free outdoor movies in Chicago. Photo courtesy of chicago.gov
Millennium Park Summer Film Series offers free outdoor movies in Chicago. Photo courtesy of chicago.gov
5/21/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Free outdoor movies in Chicago and the suburbs celebrate the things that summer is made for: treats, the outdoors, and staying up past bedtime. In Chicago, you can go see a movie at a landmark destination, like Navy Pier or Millennium Park, or just enjoy a night out under the stars in your favorite neighborhood or suburban park. 

Want to see a movie in your car? Check out one of our favorite drive-in destinations. Have kids that aren't big enough to stay up past dark on a long summer night? Try out our list of favorite toddler playgrounds or water parks for little ones that are just as good during the day.

Pack your blanket or chair, bag of popcorn, juice or soda, and head out to one of the more than 30 locations we've found to see an outdoor movie in Chicago this summer!

 

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Movies in the Park is a free summer event in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Mary Bartelme Park, Facebook
Movies in the Park is a free summer event in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Mary Bartelme Park, Facebook

Outdoor Movies in Chicago

Chicago Park District Movies in the Park

Tuesdays through Saturdays, June 13, 2023- September 9, 2023—Citywide
Hollywood comes to Chicago this summer with hundreds of movies throughout city parks! Bring your own blanket or chairs for retro favorites, kids' classics, and recent box office hits. READ MORE

Millennium Park Summer Film Series

Tuesdays, July 11, 2023- August 29, 2023—Downtown
Millennium Park hosts free movies in the park throughout July and August. Films are shown on a state-of-the-art 40-foot LED screen READ MORE

Water Flicks at Navy Pier

Mondays, July 10, 2023- August 28, 2023—Downtown
Navy Pier hosts "Water Flicks"—free, outdoor screenings of favorite family movies in Polk Bros Park. August 28 will be a viewers choice week in which families vote on Instagram for which movie they would like to see. READ MORE

Movies at Gallagher Way

Every other Wednesday, May 17- September 27—Wrigleyville
Visit Gallagher Way near Wrigley Field to see a variety of blockbusters on the big screen. Food trucks from local favorite restaurants like Big Star and West Town Bakery sell their goodies at the park. READ MORE

Mary Bartelme Park Movies in the Park

June 20, 2023, June 28, 2023, July 11, 2023, August 9, 2023, and September 7, 2023—West Loop
Mary Bartelme Park Advisory Council and the Chicago Park District present a series of outdoor movies for families in the West Loop Park. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair.. READ MORE

International Latino Cultural Center Movies in the Park

2023 dates TBA—Various Parks
The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago teams with the Chicago Park District to present movies in Spanish and English every Wednesday in July and the first Wednesday in August. READ MORE

Wicker Park Movies in the Park

June 22, 2023, July 20, 2023, and August 24, 2023—Wicker Park
Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy a movie in Wicker Park on the third Thursday of June, July and August. This year's focus is on musicals, so families can see Pretty in Pink in June, Save the Last Dance in July, and Weird Science in August. READ MORE

Movies at the DuSable Museum of African American History

2023 dates TBA—Bronzeville
The Chicago Park District and the DuSable Museum of African American History team up to present films important to the African American community. Visit the museum to see Black Panther on June 21, Selma on July 23, or Coming 2 America on August 27.  READ MORE

RNRA Movies in the Park

June 27, 2023, July 25, 2023, and August 15, 2023—River North
The River North Residents Association teams up with the Chicago Park District to present a series of films in A. Montgomery Ward Park. The films are selected via an online survey of neighborhood residents. This year's selections include Ticket to Paradise on June 27, Top Gun: Maverick on July 25, and Minions: Rise of Gru on August 15. READ MORE

Movies in the Park at Jonquil Park

June 16, 2023, July 29, 2023, and August 29, 2023—Lincoln Park
Visit Jonquil Park at dusk for movies in the park each month throughout summer. The Jonquil Park Advisory Council hosts Lincoln Park area residents for screenings of Sleepless in Seattle on June 16, Harry Potter and the Sourceror's Stone on July 29, and Crazy Rich Asians on August 29.  READ MORE
Movies in Cantigny Park will be screening Wall-E this summer. Photo courtesy of Disney Studios
Movies in Cantigny Park will be screening Wall-E this summer. Photo courtesy of Disney Studios

Movies Under the Stars in the Suburbs

Arlington Heights Movie in the Park

July 14 , 2023 and August 18, 2o23—Arlington Heights
See a movie under the stars in Arlington Heights' Recreation Park. Encanto will play on July 14 and Minions the Rise of Gru will be screened on August 18. READ MORE

Movies in Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park

August 9, 2023 and September 8, 2023—Villa Park
Families can bring their picnic blankets or lawn chairs to Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park for a free showing of The Minions: Rise of Gru on August 9 or Hotel Transylvania: Transformania on September 8. Concessions will be available for purchase. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. READ MORE

Movies Under the Moon

June 9, 2023, July 7, 2023, and July 21, 2023—Woodridge
West Suburban families can explore local parks and enjoy a movie under the moon at threedifferent Woodridge locations throughout the summer, plus there will be a special holiday showing of The Polar Express on December 8 inside ARC Recreation Center. READ MORE

LaGrange Park Movies in the Park

June 28, 2023—LaGrange Park
Bring your family to enjoy a movie on a 25-foot screen in Gordon Park. The Park District of LaGrange Park will present The Sandlot on June 28. READ MORE

Glen Ellyn Movies in the Park

May 31, 2023, June 14, 2023, and July 12, 2023—Glen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn Park District hosts a series of movies in various parks throughout the summer.   Movies begin between 8:30 and 9pm. READ MORE

Movies in Lilacia Park

June 8, 2023, July 13, 2023, and July 27, 2023—Lombard
Families can get ready to enjoy movies in the garden in Lilacia Park. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic snack. New this year are fun family activities in the hour before the movie starts, including a balloon twister, animal encounters and a meet and greet with Encanto's Mirabel. READ MORE

Bloomingdale Outdoor Movies

June 9, 2023 and August 11, 2023—Bloomingdale
Families can enjoy screenings of family friendly movies under the stars on picnic blankets or in lawn chairs at Bloomingdale Bank & Trust. Parking and restrooms are available at each location READ MORE

Hinsdale Movies in the Park

June 16, 2023, July 21, 2023 and August 11, 2023—Hinsdale
Bring your blanket and lawn chairs and enjoy a movie in Robbins Park! Shows include Encanto on June 16 and Despicable Me on August 11. A special movie in the pool, The Santa Clause, will be shown on July 21 at Hinsdale Community Pool. READ MORE

Elmhurst Movies in the Park

June 16, 2023, July 14, 2023, and August 4, 2023—Elmhurst
Enjoy new and classic kids' movies every month in Elmhurst's Wilder Park.Food trucks will sell concessions at the park. READ MORE

Warrenville Summer Movies in the Park

June 15, 2023, July 20, 2023 and August 17, 2023—Warrenville
Families can watch movies the lawn at these Warrenville Park District events in Cerny Park. Arrive at 8 p.m. for the best seats. Concessions are sold at the park. READ MORE

Lemont Movies in the Park

June 6, 2023 June 27, 2023 and July 11, 2023—Lemont
The Lemont Park District hosts family movie events in three of it parks over the course of the summer. Visit Northview to see The Bad Guys on June 6, Covington North Park on June 27 for Top Gun:Maverick or Connemara Park on July 11 to see Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.  READ MORE

Bolingbrook Neighborhood Movies

July 20, 2023—Bolingbrook
Bolingbrook Park District invites families to explore its parks and facilities with a screening of Minions: Rise of Gru at Adventist Medical Center. More movies may be announced soon! READ MORE

Let's Go to the Movies at the Pool!

June 23, 2023, July 8, 2023, and August 4, 2023—Lombard
Enjoy a movie at the Butterfield Park District Pool on select Fridays throughout the summer. Movies are free with pool membership or daily admission and are all rated PG. READ MORE

Oak Park Movies in the Park

Third Thursday of the month, May through September, 2023—Oak Park
Families can bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a movie in Scoville Park on the third Thursday of each month during the summer. Check the website for rainout information. READ MORE

Movies in Cantigny Park

Every Friday, June 2, 2023- August 25, 2023—Wheaton
Cantigny Park hosts weekly movies at its bandshell every Friday at sunset throughout the summer. Seating is first come, first served and visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and bug spray. Concessions can be purchased at Mamie's Toffee and Treats. READ MORE

Naperville's A Night at the Movies

Every other Friday, July 28, 2023- September 22, 2023—Naperville
Families can enjoy Friday night outdoor movies at alternating locations between Rotary Hill and 95th Street Community Plaza throughout the summer. When the movies are at Rotary Hill, the Riverwalk concession stand offers special movie snacks such as popcorn, hot dogs, pretzel bites, nachos, candy, and soda. READ MORE

Darien Summer Movies in the Park

Every other Thursday, June 1, 2023- August 10, 2023—Darien
Bring your picnic blanket or low-rise lawn chair to one of Darien's parks for a family-friendly movie this summer. Concessions will be available for purchase at the movies in six different parks. READ MORE

Bensenville Movie in the Park

May 13, 2023, June 10, 2023 and July 15, 2023—Bensenville
See a movie at one of Bensenville's parks on a Saturday night this summer. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and purchase concessions to eat during the show. READ MORE

Buffalo Grove Movies Under the Stars

June 23, 2023, July 14, 2023 and July 21, 2023—Buffalo Grove
Enjoy a movie on a 40-foot screen with surround sound in Willow Stream Park. Concessions will be sold and a rain date is available for each movie. READ MORE

Thursdays in the Park Concert and Movie Series Tinley Park

June 22, 2023, July 6, 2023, July 20, 2023 and August 3, 2023—Tinley Park
Enjoy a concert or a movie every Thursday night this summer at the Band Shell on the east side of Bettehausen Recreation Center in Tinley Park. A concession stand will sell light refreshments. READ MORE

Veterans Park District Movies in the Park

June 14, 2023, June 28, 2023 and August 2, 2023—Melrose Park
Veterans Park District presents movies in parks this summer. Kids can see Surf's Up in Gouin Park in Franklin Park on June 24, Vivo in Bulger Park in Melrose Park (in Spanish) on June 28, and The Little Rascals in Trumbull Park in River Grove on August 2. Free popcorn is available while supplies last. READ MORE

Westmont Movies Under the Stars

June 9, 2023, July 14, 2023, and August 11, 2023—Westmont
Join the Westmont Park District for movies under the stars! Arrive early to order food from the food trucks on site, and bring your own blankets and chairs. READ MORE

Movies on the Lawn at Oakbrook Center

Wednesdays, June 14, 2023- August 23, 2023—Oak Brook
The magic of the movies moves outdoors at Oak Brook Center with the Movies on the Lawn series each Wednesday. Movies are shown on a 32' by 18' screen in the shopping center's courtyard. All movies are shown in their original, unedited format and are rated G, PG, or PG-13. READ MORE

Burr Ridge Midweek Movies

Wednesdays, July 12, 2023- August 2, 2023—Burr Ridge
Burr Ridge Village Center is retooling its drive-in movies for summer by switching to movies on the village green. Guests can bring a picnic and enjoy a movie on Wednesdays July 12- August 2. READ MORE

Movie and Mini Dance-a-Thon in Prospect Park

July 13, 2023—Clarendon Hills
The Clarendon Hills Park District presents Minions: The Rise of Gru at Prospect Park. Kids can come at 8:15 for a half-hour dance party before the movie begins. Families can bring their own lawn chairs or picnic blankets.  READ MORE

Orland Park Outdoor Movie Series

June 2, 2023, July 19, 2023, and August 10, 2023—Orland Park
Orland Park Recreation invites families to see three outdoor movies this summer at Crescent Park. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket to spread out to watch films on a big screen under the stars. READ MORE

Palos Heights Movies in the Park

July 7, 2023, August 10, 2023, and September 8, 2023—Palos Heights
Celebrate summer and movies with outdoor films under the stars at Palos Heights' Memorial Park. Crafts and activities begin one hour before each movie; movies begin at dusk. READ MORE

Wednesdays in the Woods Movies in the Park

June 28, 2023, July 19, 2023, and August 9, 2023—Winnetka
Winnetka Park District features films at its Wednesdays in the Woods series on three Wednesdays this summer. Venture out to Hubbard Woods Park to see Minions: The Rise of Gru on June 28, Puss in Boots: Last Wish on July 19, or Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on August 9. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars at Wheaton Public Library

June 9, 2023, and July 28, 2023—Wheaton
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Wheaton Public Library to see Shrek on June 9 and Toy Story 2 on July 28. Movies return to the libary on October 13 with a spooky Halloween double feature of Coco and Hocus Pocus. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Multiple parks citywide
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion & Great Lawn
DuSable Museum of African American History
Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park
Butterfield Park District Recreation & Aquatic Center
Darien Parks
Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center