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Free Outdoor Movies in DC in Summer 2025 for Kids

Sunset Cinema at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church, Virginia. Photo courtesy of the event.
Sunset Cinema at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church, Virginia. Photo courtesy of the event.
5/11/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

It doesn't get much better than enjoying free outdoor movies on a warm summer evening. This summer, the DC area is brimming with outdoor movies for families in parks, plazas, wineries, and even a cemetery. 

Here are 20 family-friendly outdoor movie series DC has to offer. Grab your lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic, and find out why outdoor movies are some of the best free summer activities DC has. 

Our Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids has even more ideas for fresh-air fun, like free concerts and outdoor music festivals. And, be sure to keep checking our DC events calendar as more outdoor movies are announced.

Why Outdoor Movies Are Perfect for DC Families this Summer

Who doesn't love watching movies under the stars? And when they're free, they're even better! Add in a picnic dinner, snacks, and some refreshing drinks and you've got one of the best free summer activities DC has to offer. 

Make the Most of Your Outdoor Movie Night

Make sure you check the outdoor movie series' websites to find out the following:

  • Do you need to register in advance, even if the movie is free? Most of the time you don't, but a few of these outdoor movie series do require reserving a spot.
  • What time can you arrive to set up a spot? What time does the movie start?
  • Are there bathrooms? If so, where are they located?
  • Are pets allowed? Several of these outdoor movie series do allow pets! 
  • Will any snacks/beverages be sold at the show, or should you bring your own?
  • Is the movie location Metro-accessible or is parking nearby and plentiful?
  • Are there any rain dates listed?

And most importantly, don't forget to enjoy the show!

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CiNoMatic at Alethia Tanner Park, photo by Sam Kittner for the event.
CiNoMatic at Alethia Tanner Park, photo by Sam Kittner for the event.

Free Outdoor Movies: DC

CiNoMatic at Alethia Tanner Park

NoMa - Wednesdays through June 11, 2025
Enjoy Wednesday-night free movies at Alethia Tanner Park, along with lawn games and food from local vendors beginning an hour before the movie's start. READ MORE

Cinematery (at Congressional Cemetery)

Capitol Hill - Select Fridays, May 23 - September 12, 2025
Note: $10 donation
Families can enjoy a fun, slightly spooky night out watching a movie in historic Congressional Cemetery. Movies are shown one Friday per month through September. READ MORE

Movies on the Memorial (at US Navy Memorial)

Downtown - Thursdays,, May 29 - July 3, 2025
Grab a blanket or chair and relax under the stars with the Lone Sailor on Thursday evenings during the summer at Movies on the Memorial. Each year, movies are selected for film lovers and naval enthusiasts to enjoy on the outdoor plaza. READ MORE

Sunset Cinema at the Wharf

The Wharf - Thursdays, May 29 - August 28, 2025
Sunset Cinema is back at the Wharf this year, showing movies on a 20-foot outdoor LED screen for free.  READ MORE

Films at the Stone (at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial)

MLK Memorial - Third Friday of the month, June 20 - August 15, 2025
Enjoy movies featuring individuals who fight for what is right at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. READ MORE

Summer Movies On the Lawn at Library of Congress

Capitol Hill - Thursdays, July 10 - August 7, 2025
This Library of Congress's annual Summer Movies on the Lawn series showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry. It is presented on Thursday evenings at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, located on the corner of 2nd Street SE and Independence Avenue.  READ MORE
Enjoy family-friendly movies on the Potomac on Sunday evenings. Photo courtesy of National Harbor
Enjoy family-friendly movies on the Potomac on Sunday evenings. Photo courtesy of National Harbor

Summer Movies for Kids: Maryland

Cabin John Village Movies on the Green

Potomac - First Friday of the month, May 2 – September 5, 2025
Movies Under the Stars shows a family-friendly film on the big screen the first Friday of each month (second Friday in July) through September. Live music and kids' activities begin at 6:30pm, and the movies start at sunset. READ MORE

Sunday Family Movies on the Potomac

National Harbor - Sundays, May 11 - September 28, 2025
Enjoy a free family-friendly movie every Sunday all spring and summer at National Harbor. Visitors should bring their own blanket or chairs and watch on the big screen at the plaza starting at 6pm. READ MORE

The Wine Bin Summer Movie Nights 2025

Ellicott City - Select Saturdays, May 24 - October 4, 2025
Every Saturday night from Memorial weekend through the end of September, come to the Wine Bin for the live music and stay for the free movie!  READ MORE

Movies in the Parks (in Rockville, MD)

Rockville - Thursdays, July 31 - August 21, 2025
Enjoy a free movie in Rockville on Thursdays from July 31 - August 21. Bring chairs or blankets, food, and non-alcoholic beverages. Movies begin at dusk, around 8pm. READ MORE

Outdoor Movie Series: Northern Virginia

Rosslyn Cinema at Gateway Park

Arlington - Thursdays, May 15 & 22, 2025
On two Thursday nights in May, enjoy a free movie screening in Gateway Park in Rosslyn. There will be food trucks, beer and wine for sale, and lots of fun, kid-friendly programming. READ MORE

Big Screen on the Green (at Vienna Town Green)

Vienna - Fridays, May 16 & September 12, 2025
Vienna screens family-friendly flicks on the Vienna Town Green during the summer, with a special holiday feature in December at the Vienna Community Center auditorium. Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Cinema Del Ray (at Mount Vernon Rec Center)

Alexandria - Saturday, May 17, 2025
Wear your favorite Hawaiian attire and join The Jen Walker Team for a free outdoor movie. Cinema Del Ray is showing Moana 2 at dusk (approximately 8pm). Bring your blankets, friends, and family out to the Mount Vernon Rec Center fields. Snacks are available to purchase. READ MORE

Movies & More at Reston Station

Reston - Saturdays, May 31 - August 30, 2025
Head to Reston Station for a free, family-friendly movie every Saturday evening this summer. Some weeks will have additional activities or character meet-and-greets for kids. Food trucks will be on site.  READ MORE

Films in the Park (at Mosaic District)

Fairfax - Thursdays, June 12 - August 12, 2025
Mosaic District hosts Films in the Park on Thursday evenings at 7pm on the lawn of Strawberry Park. All of these movies are kid-friendly! READ MORE

Movies Under the Moon (at Van Dyck Park)

Fairfax - Second Friday of the month, June 13 - September 12, 2025
On the second Friday of each month this summer, enjoy a family-friendly movie at Van Dyck Park. Bring a blanket and wind down under a big screen. READ MORE

South Riding Movie Nights

South Riding - Select Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 2025
Families can enjoy a free, family-friendly movie screening on select Tuesday nights at sundown in South Riding. READ MORE

Columbia Pike Movie Nights at Penrose Square

Arlington - Saturdays, July 5 - August 23, 2025
Families can enjoy some of their favorite movies under the stars at Penrose Square Apartments' outdoor plaza. Movies are shown in English with Spanish subtitles.  READ MORE

Columbia Pike Movie Nights at Arlington Mills

Arlington - Fridays, July 11 - August 22, 2025
Sitting on Arlington Mill's Outdoor Plaza, families can enjoy some of their favorite movies under the stars. Movies are shown in English with Spanish subtitles.  READ MORE

Sunset Cinema at Cherry Hill Park

Falls Church - Select dates, August 22 - October 17, 2025
Bring a blanket and a picnic to Sunset Cinema at Cherry Hill Park. Drinks, popcorn, and snacks will be available for purchase. READ MORE

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