Summer is a time for free outdoor concerts, workouts and movies under the stars. From Academy Award-nominated pictures to animated and action flicks, you’ll find plenty of family-friendly favorites on big screens throughout the area. Get those picnic blankets ready! Here’s what’s coming.Â
Cinema on the Plaza at GMU Arlington
Cinephiles can catch the classic Singin’ in the Rain at Fuse at George Mason University’s Mason Square on June 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The event starts with a talk by Christopher d’Amboise, director of GMU’s LIVE Center, and includes a recorded interview with the wife of star Gene Kelly, plus anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories about this famous film. Other flicks in GMU’s summer series include The Little Shop of Horrors (July 18, 8:30 p.m.), a TBD family-friendly movie (Aug. 1, 8:30 p.m.) and My Cousin Vinny (Aug. 14). 3401 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Virginia Square)
Films in the Park in Mosaic
Bring the fam (and your dog!) and plunk down on the turf under at the giant screen at Mosaic District’s Strawberry Park on Thursdays from June 12-Aug. 14, 7 p.m., to enjoy 2024 releases including Wicked (June 12), The Wild Robot (June 26) and Moana 2 (Aug. 5). A few classics will also be queued up, including Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (July 24). 2910 District Ave., Fairfax
Columbia Pike Movie Nights
The Wizard of Oz and Wicked kick off this summer outdoor movie series, with airings at dusk (around 8:30 p.m.) on Fridays at Arlington Mill Community Center (July 11-Aug. 22) and Saturdays at Penrose Square (July 12-Aug. 2). Sit back, relax and bust out the popcorn for a full lineup of films spanning multiple genres. Additional flicks are TBD. Arlington Mill, 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington (Arlington Mill), and Penrose Square, 2501 9th Road S., Arlington (Penrose)
Sunset Cinema in The Little City
The 22nd annual series returns to Cherry Hill Park in the City of Falls Church, with movies on Aug. 22 at 7:45 p.m., Sept. 19 at 7:15 p.m. and Oct. 17 at 6:45 p.m. This year’s lineup features Despicable Me 4, Moana 2 and the People’s Choice winner. Voting for the latter is open now through July 8 and the options are Shrek, Jumanji and Holes. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Outdoor Movies with the NSO at Wolf Trap
These special shows aren’t free, but they’re worth noting for their cool factor. The National Symphony Orchestra provides a live soundtrack to feature films Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (July 17, 8 p.m.), Back to the Future (Aug. 2, 8 p.m.), and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (Sept. 5, 8 p.m.). You can also check out snippets of Disney classics such as The Little Mermaid, Toy Story and A Goofy Movie on July 6, 8 p.m. These special screenings have star power, bringing Lissa deGuzman, who plays Jasmine in Aladdin and Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway; Susan Egan, the original Belle in Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast; Bradley Gibson (Broadway’s Simba in The Lion King and star of Hercules); and Bill Farmer, the official voice of Goofy, to the stage. Tickets start at $49.50. 1551 Trap Road, Vienna