'Tis the season for holiday fun and more things to do in Connecticut this weekend. Kid's Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
Princess Tea, Carriage Rides, and More Things To Do in CT This Weekend
Cozy up to some holiday fun in Connecticut as December 2024 brings a little joy to the Nutmeg State! Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
19 Best Things To Do in Connecticut December 2024 with Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Connecticut Families
Connecticut is full of happiness, joy, and free Christmas and holiday activities, like Santa at Cabela's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of Bass pro Shops
20 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Connecticut for Kids
Raise a hand if you're excited for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut! Magic of Lights photo courtesy of the XL Center
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Connecticut
Get into the spirit of the season with holiday activities like Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Photo courtesy of XL Center
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Connecticut for Kids
Polar Express trains are coming to towns all over New England for Christmas 2024! Essex Steam Train Railroad photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2024
Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway
Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens
Our ultimate family bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut before kids grow up. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
100 Things To Do in Connecticut Before Kids Grow Up
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
Groupon's online marketplace offers tons of discounts on activities for kids and families.
Save On Top-Rated Connecticut Outings and Experiences for Kids and Families
By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos
New England Family Travel Guide
Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway
Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut
As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel
Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors
Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut.
GUIDE
Connecticut Guide to Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones
Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the
10 Family-Friendly Hotels and Spa Resorts in Connecticut
Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
GUIDE
Connecticut Day Trips & Weekend Getaways Guide
A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
The Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Connecticut
Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers
Flat walking trails make Wharton Brook State Park a sure bet for kid hikers. Photo by Mommy Poppins
A Dozen Short Hikes in Connecticut for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
Top Attractions in Connecticut: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
25 Connecticut State Parks and Forests That Are Great to Visit with Kids
Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do for Connecticut Kids
Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons
Top Connecticut Playgrounds That Families Will Love
Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook
The Best Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in Connecticut
Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook
Top Skate Parks in Connecticut
Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
  VIDEO
25 Preschool Science Experiments: Simple Science for Toddlers through Kindergarten Kids
Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel
Best Nature Centers in Connecticut To Visit with Kids
We’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing!
Awesome Escape Rooms in CT: Kid-Friendly Parties and Family Adventures
The festivities get downright magical with Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT! Photo courtesy of Dean Davids Magician
Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT That Come To You
Find family fare and great deals at these Connecticut restaurants where kids eat free! Photo courtesy of Bigstock
Kids Eat Free: Connecticut Restaurants with Free Meal Deals for Families

Drive-In Movie Theaters in Connecticut for Outdoor Movie Nights With Kids

Enjoy a flick at Southington Drive-In. Photo courtesy of visitct.com
Enjoy a flick at Southington Drive-In. Photo courtesy of visitct.com
5/13/22 - By Laurie Rein

For parents and kids in the Nutmeg State, few outings marry family fun with retro vibes better than a drive-in movie in Connecticut. Families can bring (or buy) snacks and a few pillows and enjoy this classic form of entertainment at several drive-in movies in CT,  or cross state lines and enjoy outdoor movies at New York drive-ins. Summer 2022 movies are going up at drive-ins near you with some showings beginning this month.

Be sure to keep tabs on our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide for more outdoor movies in CT and warm-weather family fun.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Park and watch a black and white film at Remarkable Theatre. Photo courtesy of Remarkable Theatre
Park and watch a black and white film at Remarkable Theatre. Photo courtesy of Remarkable Theatre

Drive-in Movies in Connecticut

Mansfield Drive-In Movie Theater

Mansfield Center
Catch movies on one of Mansfield's three screens. Three generations have owned and operated this local mainstay since 1954. Its concession stand offers throwback eats reminiscent of a '50s-style diner.  READ MORE

Drive-in Movie Nights at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center

Stamford
Catch family-friendly movies on the big screen at Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Tickets are sold online, and parking spots are first come, first serve. Moose & Monty’s Munch Boxes (with movie-sized popcorn, M&Ms, Sour Patch Kids) are available to pre-purchase online with tickets. Food trucks are on-site until show time. READ MORE

Remarkable Drive In

Westport
Westport's pop-up drive-in screens classic films and new releases. There's no concession stand, but families are welcome to bring their own snacks. Sound for the film is piped through a radio station (you can bring a transistor radio if you prefer that to your car's radio). READ MORE

Drive-In Movie Night at Riverside Reptiles

Enfield
See Jurassic Park on a giant blow-up movie screen at Riverside Reptiles! Chips, cookies and water will be available for purchase. READ MORE

Southington Drive-In

Southington
Southington Drive-In has been entertaining families for decades. It is the only community owned and operated drive-in in the state.  READ MORE
Take in a movie under the stars at Four Brothers Drive-In. Photo courtesy of Four Brothers Drive-In, Facebook
Take in a movie under the stars at Four Brothers Drive-In. Photo courtesy of Four Brothers Drive-In, Facebook

Drive-In Movies in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Warwick Drive-In Movie Theater

Warwick, New York
Dating from 1950, the Warwick Drive-In boasts three big screens and shows double features seven nights a week in season. A mix of adult-oriented and family films rotate. Admission is per person. A snack bar and restrooms are available. READ MORE

Overlook Drive-in Movies

Poughkeepsie, New York
Double features are offered on the big, outdoor screen, with new titles posted weekly. The diverse selections tailor to all ages, including family-oriented films, horror films, retro classics, and more. Concessions available, as are ticket books, which are also valid at the Hyde Park Drive-In. READ MORE

Hyde Park Drive-in Movies

Hyde Park, New York
This sister theater of the Overlook Drive-In presents movies Friday through Sunday on one big screen. Discount ticket books are available for use at either theater. Snack-bar selections include burgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, pizza rolls, veggie rolls, popcorn, and more.  READ MORE

Fair Oaks Drive-In Movie Theater

Middletown, New York
Catch family-friendly flicks—both new releases and classics—on this theater's pair of screens. Live concerts, comedy shows, and meet-and-greet events are also on tap for the summer season. Visit the venue's website for details on its week-to-week schedule. READ MORE

Four Brothers Drive-In Movie Theater

Amenia, New York
This picturesque drive-in theater in Amenia has it all. Catch a movie and enjoy more perks like an on-site restaurant, arcade games, putt-putt golf, a playground, amenity packages—even overnight camping. Live bands are often scheduled, too. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: