Enjoy an expanded list of 2021 walk-in and drive-in outdoor movies in Northern Virginia at a fun mix of free and paid venues. Outdoor movies in Northern Va offer the chance to relax and enjoy a fun flick under the stars.
Last year, most of the usual walk-up outdoor screenings were canceled and new drive-in movies popped up. Happily, a few free series for outdoor movies are back in 2021, including walk-in venues. At the same time, there are fewer drive-in options this year and many of the usual outdoor movie series have not announced their plans for 2021.
Our guide to outdoor movies in Northern Virginia includes venues in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties, and surrounding towns. Movies are listed below in three groups: drive-in movies, walk-in outdoor movies, and annual movie series that have not announced 2021 plans.
Follow the links for line-ups and additional info on outdoor movies in Northern Virginia. Always double-check for cancellations during inclement weather.
2021 Drive-in Movies in Northern Virginia
There were several new drive-in movie options last summer, along with one fun classic. This year, some drive-in movies have been announced while others are still TBA. We hope that more pop-up drive-ins will return in 2021.
Family Drive-in Theater, Stephens City
Wednesday – Sunday nights (Fall season Friday-Sunday), May 15 – ?
A bit further away but worth the drive, Family Drive-in Theater is a classic big screen experience named one of the 10 Best Drive-ins in America. In 2021, you can purchase tickets in advance online or at the gate. At time of publication, tickets are $10/$5 for driver + adults/child ages 3 – 12.
Plan a day trip with our guide: 15 Fun Things to Do in Winchester.
Columbia Pike Drive-in Movie Nights, Arlington Career Center, Arlington
Saturdays: July and August, 8:30 – 10:30
Drive-in, family-friendly movies screened under the stars. Limited spaces are available and you must register in advance. Free.
The Drive-in at Mosaic, Fairfax
Apr 3 + 4, additional 2021 dates TBA lot opens at 3:00/6:30, movie begins at 4:00/7:30.
Watch great movies on the top level of Mosaic District’s Market Garage, once the grounds of a drive-in movie theater. Tickets are $28 per car and space is limited. No walk or bike-ins permitted.
Alamo Drive-in Movies at One Loudoun, Leesburg
June 17 – July 27
Combine Alamo food with a classic drive-in experience at One Loudoun. Pre-purchase tickets and snacks and they’ll be delivered right to your door.
Movies at the Pfitz, Woodbridge
July 3, 31, August 7, 21
Support a great cause and enjoy a fun drive-in movie night out at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge. Tickets are $35 per vehicle and all proceeds go to local Prince William County non-profits.
Starlight Cinema, Trinity Centre Parking, Centreville
Saturdays in August, 7:00 PM
Adding a little drive-in fun to outdoor movies in Northern Virginia, Starlight Cinema returns with an August full of family movies. Watch from your car or under the stars in the outdoor seating area. Gates open at 6:00, so head over early for pre-movie entertainment and activities. Bring a blanket, chairs, and a picnic, or purchase food on site. Canceled if rain. Free.
2021 Walk-in Outdoor Movies in Northern VA
Several of our favorite locations for outdoor movies are returning in 2021. Follow the links for schedule details and ticket info.
Rosslyn Cinema (Outdoor Movie Festival), Gateway Park, Arlington
Fridays, Jun 4 – 25, 8:30 pm
Rosslyn’s Gateway Park hosts a great line-up of outdoor movies in Northern Virginia, plus a pre-movie Pub in the Park. Arrive at 5:00 for games at this kid-friendly dog-friendly event, then enjoy movies at dusk. Free.
National Landing (Movies in the Park), Virginia Highlands Park, Arlington
Fridays, Sep 10 – Oct 1, 6:30 – 10:00 pm
National Landing hosts family-friendly Movies in the Park on Fridays in September at Virginia Highlands Park. Movies are free but registration is required. Arrive anytime after 6:00 and bring a picnic or pick up dinner from the food truck. Free.
Films in the Park, Mosaic District, Fairfax
Thursdays: Jun 17 – Sep 2 7:30 – 9:30
Relax with a cup of coffee while the kids enjoy morning cartoons on the big screen on Saturdays, all summer long, at Mosaic District’s Strawberry Park.
Summer on the Green, Lovettsville
Select Fridays: Jun 18 – Aug 20, 7:00
Lovettsville Summer on the Green is back in 2021 but schedules have not been announced. In prior years, the movies were held Saturdays on the Town Green. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and a picnic to enjoy before the movie. Movies begin at dusk. Check the link for weather cancellations. Free.
Movie Night, South Riding
Tuesdays: Jun 22 – Aug 17, Sunset
Walk-in South Riding kid-friendly movies are back in 2021! Bring your blanket and chairs at sunset for fun movies on the big screen. Location alternates between the Town Green and the SRC Stage. Movies will start at sunset or as soon as it is dark enough. Free.
Cinema del Ray, Mount Vernon Rec Center, Alexandria
Sep 18, 7:00
The fun begins at 7:00 and the family-friendly screenings start at dusk on the fields of the Mount Vernon Rec Center. Free.
Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, Vienna
Aug 26 + 27, 8:00
Mixed into the line-up of live summer entertainment, WolfTrap offers two nights of movies on the big screen accompanied by live music. In 2021, WolfTrap will screen The Princess Bride and Star Wars. Movies begin at 8:00 with pre-performance options. Follow the link for tickets and other details.
More Outdoor Movies: 2021 Plans TBD
These annual outdoor movie series have not announced whether they will be held in 2021. Check back for updates later in the spring.
Reels on the Ramp, Air and Space Museum, Chantilly
2021 schedule/plans TBD, TBA
Enjoy a free movie under the stars on the Udvar-Hazy Center’s outdoor airplane ramp. Bring chairs, blankets, and insect repellant! Food is allowed, but alcohol and glass bottles or containers are prohibited. Doors open at 8:00 pm and the movie begins at dusk. Free.
Movies Under the Stars, Stonebridge at Potomac Towers, Woodbridge
2021 schedule/plans TBD, 7:00
Stonebridge offers a family-friendly movie on the Jumbotron every other Saturday in summer. Bring your own chairs and blankets, and arrive early for shopping and a meal at one of the many shops and restaurants. Free.
Capital One Center Screen on the Green, Tysons
2021 schedule/plans TBD, 7:00 – 11:30
Head to Tysons on the weekend for free movie nights at Capital One Center.
When the weather warms, outdoor movies in Northern Virginia are a fun way to spend an evening with friends and family. We love the chance to watch some stars under the stars, and these mostly free events are a nice night out.
Find more summer fun with our guides to Outdoor Concerts, Waterparks and Pools, and Boating in Northern VA.
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I am kind of looking forward to attending 2020 showings of movies. The one question I have is are the movies being shown with open captioning. Me and my partner Never get to see movies at theaters because the Captioning device is provided at movie theaters other than open captioning do not work satisfactorily.
I was not able to find any information about close-captioning on the websites listing outdoor movies. I’d suggest sending a Facebook message to any of the sites that you are considering so they can clarify what they provide. Hope you are able to enjoy some of the outdoor movies in 2020, Ron.
It would be great if this event were happening in downtown Leesburg. Sadly, it’s in Leesburg, Florida.
Food Truck and Flick Night, Leesburg
Saturdays: Jun 16, Jul 14, Aug 11, 5:00, Movie at dusk
Enjoy dinner from a line-up of Gourmet Food Trucks on Main Street in downtown Leesburg, with live music beginning at 6:00 pm. The trucks and movie fans gather every 2nd Saturday during summer months. At dusk, grab your blanket and chairs and watch a blockbuster movie on a 24-foot outdoor screen. Free.
Doh! Thank you so much for catching this error and letting me know. I deleted the event from the article. I appreciate the feedback!