Enjoy rides, games, a petting zoo, and more at McLean Day. Photo courtesy of the event
Africa on the Avenue, Old Town Festival of Speed and Style, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids
Have a jumping good time at The Big Bounce. Photo courtesy of The Big Bounce
Best Free and Fun Things To Do in DC with Kids May 2024
Catch all three seasons of Bluey–plus the show’s biggest episode ever–right now on Disney+.
  VIDEO
Best Bluey Episodes, Themed Snacks and Games for a Memorable Family Night In
Summer Camp photo courtesy of Canva
GUIDE
Washington DC Summer Camp Guide
Full up your buckets with juicy red strawberries. Photo courtesy of Great Country Farms
Best Strawberry Picking Near DC and Summer Strawberry Festivals
You never know who you'll run into at the Blossom Kite Festival. Event photo courtesy of the festival
29 Best Spring Festivals and Fairs in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Families
Kids of all ages will find lots to explore at Mount Vernon. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon Near DC with Kids
Enjoy storytime each Wednesday at the Hirshhorn. Photo courtesy of the Hirshorn Museum
75 Free Fun Things To Do in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia with Kids
Photo by Haoshuang Lou from Pexels
GUIDE
Spring Activities Guide for DC Kids and Families
Zap the competition with a game of laser tag at Ultrazone. Photo courtesy of Ultrazone
Where to Play Laser Tag and Paintball Near Washington, DC
No ocean? No problem at Greenbrier State Park. Photo courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
12 Swimming Lakes Near DC You Need to Discover
Feed calves directly from a bottle at South Mountain Creamery.
A Visit to South Mountain Creamery with Kids: Feeding Baby Cows Near Washington, DC
Kids of all ages will find lots to explore at Mount Vernon. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon Near DC with Kids
Planet Word offers lots of free interactive fun. Photo courtesy of Planet Word
21 Free Things To Do Indoors in the DC Area: Indoor Places To Play On Cold and Rainy Days
Pizza is even yummier when it's free! Photo courtesy of Matchbox
Kids Eat Free: 15 DC Area Restaurants with Free Meal Deals for Families
What masterpieces will your kiddo create at the National Building Museum’s PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit? Photo by Anne McDonough, courtesy of the museum
Best Museums for Kids in the DC Area: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
You can't trust just anyone with baby's first haircut!
Best Places for Kids' Haircuts in DC, From Baby Haircuts to Cool Teen Spots
There are many opportunities to help clean up Montgomery County parks throughout the year. Photo courtesy of Montgomery County Parks
Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Beat the Bomb combines the skill of an escape room with the thrill of a video game—and colorful paint or foam! Photo courtesy of the Beat the Bomb Facebook page
Best Escape Rooms for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
With 75 themed walls for kids to tackle, it's impossible to get bored at ClimbZone. Photo courtesy of ClimbZone
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms and Spaces for Kids Near DC
The new Kalahari Resort will be home to Virginia's largest indoor water park.
A New Kalahari Resort and Indoor Water Park is Coming to Northern Virginia
There are several great places to eat with kids near the National Mall. Photo courtesy of Carmine's
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants and More Places to Eat Near the National Mall in Washington, DC

Free Outdoor Movies in the DC Area this Summer for Kids

Outdoor movies abound in the DC area all summer long. Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority
Outdoor movies abound in the DC area all summer long. Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority
5/4/24 - By Jennifer Swope

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. Grab your lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic, and enjoy a relaxing evening of free family fun in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

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.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Watch a movie in Congressional Cemetery... if you dare. Photo courtesy of the cemetery's Facebook page
Watch a movie in Congressional Cemetery... if you dare. Photo courtesy of the cemetery's Facebook page

Free Outdoor Movies in DC

CiNoMatic at Alethia Tanner Park

NoMa - Wednesdays, May 8 - June 5, 2024
"Epic Expeditions" is the theme for Wednesday-night free movies at Alethia Tanner Park. Enjoy lawn games and food from local vendors beginning an hour before the movie's start. READ MORE

Summer Film Nights at National Zoo

Woodley Park - Third Thursday of the month, May 16 - July 18, 2024
Come to the Zoo for an unforgettable cinematic experience! Introducing Summer Film Nights at the Zoo, a free outdoor summer event series set to dazzle and entertain.  READ MORE

Adams Morgan Movie Nights

Adams Morgan - Tuesdays, May 21 - June 25, 2024
Adams Morgan Movie Nights kick off with a family-friendly animated feature, then continue with an eclectic mix of award-winning, classic, and independent films. READ MORE

Movies on the Pitch at Audi Field

Audi Field - Select Thursdays, May 30 - July 18, 2024
The Pitch at Audi Field becomes an outdoor movie theater on select Thursdays throughout the summer. Families can sit on the field or in the stands and view some of their favorite films. READ MORE

Sunset Cinema at the Wharf

The Wharf - Thursdays (except July 4), May 30 - August 29
Sunset Cinema is back at the Wharf this year, showing movies on a 20-foot outdoor LED screen for free.  READ MORE

Cinematery

Capitol Hill - Select Fridays, May 31 - September 6, 2024
Families can enjoy a fun, slightly spooky night out watching a movie in historic Congressional Cemetery. Featuring the films of Tim Burton, movies are shown the first Friday of each month through September. READ MORE

Extraordinary Cinema at the REACH

Foggy Bottom - Fridays, May 31 - August 2, 2024
The REACH at the Kennedy Center hosts family-friendly free movies on select Fridays throughtout the summer.  READ MORE

Films at the Stone

MLK Memorial - Third Friday of the month, June 21 - August 16, 2024
Enjoy movies featuring individuals who fight for what is right at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. READ MORE

Movie Night Wednesdays in the Park at the UDC Amphitheater

Van Ness - Select Wednesdays, June 26 - September 14, 2024
At Movie Night Wednesdays, families can enjoy a favorite film outdoors on three nights in the summer. 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

Free Outdoor Movies in Maryland

Summer Nights Series at Cabin John Village: Movies Under the Stars

Potomac - First Friday of the month, May 3 - October 4, 2024
Movies Under the Stars shows a family-friendly film on the big screen the second Friday of each month 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 5 - September 29, 2024
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 Clarice's Outdoor Movies

College Park - Fridays, May 10 & June 14, 2024
New this spring, Clarice Presents brings outdoor movies to UMD's campus, with special menus, activities, and more. READ MORE

Movie Night at The Wine Bin

Ellicott City - Saturdays, May 25 - October 5, 2024
The Wine Bin hosts a free movie night on Saturdays all summer long, many of which are kid-friendly. Popcorn, cheese, charcuterie, and wine are available for purchase. READ MORE

Movies in the Parks

Rockville - Wednesdays, July 31 - August 21, 2024
Enjoy a free movie screening in Rockville every Wednesday from July 31 - August 21. Bring chairs or blankets, food, and non-alcoholic beverages. Movies begin at dusk, around 8pm. READ MORE
Family movie nights are way better outdoors. Photo courtesy of Tysons Corner
Family movie nights are way better outdoors. Photo courtesy of Tysons Corner

Free Outdoor Movies in Northern Virginia

Rosslyn Cinema

Arlington - Fridays, June 7-21, 2024
On Friday nights in June, enjoy a free movie screening in Gateway Park in Rosslyn. There are food trucks, beer and wine for sale, and lots of fun, kid-friendly programming. READ MORE

Big Screen on the Green

Vienna - Fridays, May 17 & September 13, 2024
Vienna screens family-friendly flicks on the Vienna Town Green during the summer, with a special holiday feature in December. Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Summerbration Movies: A Celebration of Sports at Reston Station

Reston - Saturdays, June 1 - August 31, 2024
Reston Station summerbrates sports with a free movie series this summer. Some movies will have inflatable sports for kids, demonstrations, and more, as well as food trucks for everyone. READ MORE

Movies Under the Moon

Fairfax - Second Friday of the month, June 14 - September 13, 2024
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 11 - August 13, 2024
Families can enjoy a free, family-friendly movie screening on select Tuesday nights at sundown in South Riding. READ MORE

Films in the Park

Fairfax - Thursdays, June 20 - August 15, 2024
Mosaic District hosts Films in the Park every Thursday evening at 7pm on the lawn of Strawberry Park. Most of these movies are kid-friendly! READ MORE

Columbia Pike Movie Nights at Arlington Mills

Arlington - Fridays, July 5 - August 23, 2024
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

Columbia Pike Movie Nights at Penrose Square

Arlington - Saturdays, July 6 - August 24, 2024
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

Places featured in this article: