Summertime in Seattle is for watching movies outdoors. Lush, grassy parks host films throughout July and into September, from recent blockbusters like Barbie to timeless hits like Jaws.
This big list includes free screenings in Seattle, but also screenings happening in neighboring cities like Kirkland, Redmond, Auburn, and Federal Way. Grab some friends and family members, pull out the blankets, and let’s get into it.
Movies at the Mural @ Seattle Center
Fridays in Seattle
📆 Friday, July 26th – Friday, August 23rd
🎟 Free
📍 Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre Lawn: 305 Harrison St, Seattle
Another year, another chance to wander away from a show at the ballet or Seattle Children’s Theater and traipse through the Seattle Center only to notice that dusk has just fallen, people are cozying up on the Mural Amphitheatre Lawn, and your favorite movie is about to begin. Presented by Prime Video, this free series of five films is also done in collaboration with the UW Professional & Continuing Education’s Film & Video Production certificate program, so before you watch a recent Oscar winner or a notorious cult sci-fi item (see below), you’ll get to see a short film from a PCE alum!
Center City Cinema @ Seattle City Parks
Summer screenings across 12 Seattle City Parks
📆 Wednesday, June 26th – Saturday, September 14th
🎟 Free
🌳 Parks around Seattle, including:
📍 Albert Davis Park: 12526 27th Ave NE, Seattle
📍 Ballard Commons Park: 5701 22nd Ave NW, Seattle
📍Cal Anderson Park: 1635 11th Ave, Seattle
📍Cascade Playground: 333 Pontius Ave N, Seattle
📍City Hall Park: 450 3rd Ave, Seattle
📍Denny Park: 100 Dexter Ave N, Seattle
📍Freeway Park: 700 Seneca St, Seattle
📍 Hing Hay Park: 423 Maynard Ave S, Seattle
📍 Lake City Mini Park: 12363 Lake City Way NE, Seattle
📍 Lake Union Park: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle
📍 Occidental Square: 117 S Washington St, Seattle
📍 Westlake Park: 401 Pine St, Seattle
Some of us who live outside the city center (howdy from Lake City!) bemoan that the most publicized events can sometimes feel like a hassle to get to, what with heavy traffic and increasing parking rates. But it’s summer, the sun is out, all bets are off, and Seattle Parks and Recreation wants to bring cinematic entertainment to your block! Enter Center City Cinema, with free movie programming at 12 different parks over the next few months, some with accompanying food trucks, all a way to spruce up your neighborhood.
Movies by the Tower @ Maple Leaf Reservoir Park
Saturdays in Seattle
📆 Three Saturdays in August: 10th, 17th, 24th
🎟 Free
📍 Maple Leaf Reservoir Park: 1020 NE 82nd St, Seattle
This summer marks the third anniversary of the Movies by the Tower series, a collaboration between Scarecrow Video and the Maple Leaf Community Council. What began as an outdoor family movie night in Councilmember Billy Thompson’s backyard has quickly grown to a community event that now spans the Maple Leaf Reservoir Park. In 2023, organizers estimated that over a thousand people gathered under the stars to watch the specially curated films throughout the summer. This year, the series theme is “Women in Film.” Women directed the three films selected (directors Ava DuVernay, Great Gerwig, and Penny Marshall). Each features female protagonists with feminist themes. The series kicks off Saturday August 10th, and continues throughout the month.
Dive-In Movies @ Wild Waves Theme and Water Park
Thursdays in Federal Way
📆 Thursdays from June 20th – August 29th
🎟️ Single-day tickets start at $37.99 | Season passes start at $72.99
☝ Reserve a spot here
📍 Wild Waves Theme and Water Park: 36201 Enchanted Pkwy S
The rain-soaked world of the Pacific Northwest makes us less likely to have drive-in movies and amusement parks than other locales. However, the Wild Waves theme park has combined the two outdoor activities with its Dive-In Movies series. Held every Thursday from June 20th to August 29th, guests can relish watching a film from inside a wave pool. The series features a selection of G and PG-rated movies that park attendees can catch on a giant LED screen. Guests can float on a tube or lounge in a chair to enjoy a variety of family-friendly flicks.
Summer Outdoor Movies @ Juanita Beach Park + Heritage Park
Saturdays in Kirkland
📆 Saturday, July 13th – Saturday, July 27th
🎟 Free
📍 Juanita Beach Park: 9703 NE Juanita Dr, Kirkland
📆 Saturday, August 3rd – Saturday, August 10th
🎟 Free
📍 Heritage Park: 111 Waverly Way, Kirkland
Unlike other local outdoor movie screenings, the city of Kirkland keeps the tradition up year-round with beach screenings in the winter and spring for those hardy enough to brave the PNW’s weather, so they’re very well-practiced in building community events. Of note, while most outdoor summer movies are projected and necessitate it be dusk, Kirkland has invested in a giant LED screen for all screenings. But now that the clouds have parted, the city to the northeast has a series of ten films in two different locations that’s sure to tickle the fancy of somebody in your party. It’s all free, to grab a blanket, curl up on the beach or the lawn, and get a load of this lineup.
Outdoor Movies @ Marymoor Park
Weeknights in Redmond
📆 Wednesday, July 10th — Wednesday, August 28th
🎟️ $10 per person + service fees (five-year-olds and under free)
☝ Reserve a spot here
📍 Marymoor Park: 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond
Marymoor Park gets a lot of press for its summer concert series (this year’s lineup includes The Avett Brothers, Primus, Ziggy Marley, and great pairings like Boy George + Squeeze and Melissa Etheridge + Jewel), but between those live act dates is a chance to catch your favorite flicks, presented by BECU. Tickets are only $10 per person, the events are dog-friendly, each has preshow entertainment, and there’s food truck service provided by Candela Pizza, Los Chilangos, Mexicuban, Buddha Bruddah, and Trophy Cupcakes.
Friday Night Flicks @ Auburn City Parks
Fridays in Auburn
📆 Fridays from July 26th – August 9th
🎟 Free
📍 Auburn Parks: Lea Hill Park, Sunset Park, and Les Gove Park
The City of Auburn’s outdoor movie night, Friday Night Flicks, is a summer tradition. Put on by Auburn Parks and Auburn Arts & Recreation, the series offers free screenings of films on a 50-foot inflatable movie screen. It’s held in parks across Auburn, and some showings include pre-movie activities and entertainment. Films range from animated adventures to heartwarming classics. Pack a bag with treats, and grab lawn chairs or a blanket to delight in a film al fresco.
All showtimes are approximate. Movies start at dusk. Arrive early to grab seating.
