Outdoor movie watching is an experience that induces a wave of nostalgia. Maybe your family used to pile into a 1950s Cadillac and drive to the nearest drive-in theatre with plenty of blankets and snacks. Or maybe you used to set up lawn chairs in the back of a pick-up truck for an outdoor movie screening.
Although there aren’t many permanent drive-in theatres these days, thankfully, there are still places to catch a flick outdoors. Here are a few of the outdoor movie screening events happening in Calgary this summer.
Movies with a View
When: July 16, August 6 and 20, September 3 and 12, 2026
High Park, an outdoor park atop a downtown parkade, is hosting a series of free outdoor movie screenings over the summer. See films like Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man (July 16), Tekkonkinkreet (August 6), My Friend Dave 2 (August 20) and Zombieland (September 3), plus a stop motion animation showcase (September 12), projected onto a 30-foot inflatable screen. Pop and popcorn are available for purchase.
High Park, Level 6, City Centre Parkade, 340 10 Ave. S.W., beltlineyyc.ca
Movie on The Rise
When: August 20, 2026
Movie on The Rise is back at St. Patrick’s Island with a double feature you can watch from the hill. Grab a blanket, meet up with some friends and swing by to see A Bug’s Life at 7:30 p.m. or 10 Things I Hate About You at 9:30 p.m.
The Rise, St. Patrick’s Island, evexperience.com
Bowness Movie in the Park
When: August 22, 2026
Mark your calendar for this outdoor movie screening in Bowness. Check back for more details.
BCA Greenspace, 7904 43 Ave. N.W., mybowness.com
BRCA Movie in the Park
When: August 27, 2026
The Bridgeland Riverside Community Association is hosting a free outdoor movie night in Murdoch Park. Head to Instagram to vote between the four movie options: The Sandlot, Galaxy Quest, The Incredibles or The Princess Bride.
Murdoch Park, brcacalgary.org
Movie in the Park
When: September 11, 2026
The summer movie fun extends into September with the return of the annual Movie in the Park event in Royal Sunalta Park. Bring a blanket (and buy some mini doughnuts) before watching the free screening.
Royal Sunalta Park, 1737 14 Ave. S.W., sunalta.net
Cinema on 17th Ave
When: September 11 to 13, 2026
Expect 11 free outdoor movie screenings on 17th Avenue S.W. this weekend. Check back for more details.
[Note: This story was updated on July 16, 2026]
