Outdoor Movies in Sacramento This Summer 2026: A Guide

For so many families, regular movie nights are weekly traditions. In the summer, families can pack some snacks, blankets, chairs, and watch a family-friendly movie under the Sacramento stars. From Rancho Cordova to Folsom and Elk Grove, families have many options for outdoor movies. This activity is one of the best things to do in Sacramento with kids this summer.

Another reason to love summer outdoor movies is that most are free, making them a budget-friendly activity and one of the top FREE things to do in Sacramento with kids in the summer.

This comprehensive outdoor movies guide for families covers dates, times, what movies will play this year, which movie series have extra fun kid-friendly activities before the films begin, and more of what not to miss this summer.

What to Bring for Outdoor Movie Nights

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Low Back Chairs

Sitting and watching a movie for several hours without any comfort or support doesn’t sound the most enticing, so low-back chairs are the way to go. These are an affordable two-pack option. Plus, these chairs can easily be utilized for day trips from Sacramento, for a Santa Cruz beach trip, or camping in Lake Tahoe.

Picnic Blanket

We swear by this picnic blanket! We initially bought it for beach days, but we use it for everything, especially for outdoor storytimes and events. It’s sandproof, warm for cool evenings, and folds up easily for easy transport.

Bug Spray

For summer evenings in a city nicknamed ‘River City’, don’t forget to bring bug spray for outdoor events. The OFF! FamilyCare Insect & Mosquito Repellent Aerosol is a good bug spray option for families.

Cooler Bag

We take a cooler bag tote with us almost everywhere we go! They keep drinks for the whole family cold, and are perfect for sandwiches or snacks that need to stay chilled.

Tips for Outdoor Movie Nights

Arrive Early

Free outdoor movies are popular events in Sacramento during the summer. Arrive early to get a good spot! Some free outdoor movies also include free activities before the movie begins, such as Family Movie Night in Folsom and Southgate’s Movie in the Park. Early activities help kids get the wiggles out before settling down to watch the movie.

Food & Snacks

While some outdoor movies will have food trucks, such as Friday Moonlight Movies in Rancho Cordova, many won’t have food for purchase. Be sure to pack dinner, snacks, and drinks when going to outdoor movies.

Free Outdoor Movies in Sacramento County 2026

Looking for fun and free summer activities in Sacramento? Catching a family-friendly movie under the stars is an ultimate Sacramento summer bucket list for kids item to check off and is one of the best free things to do in Sacramento with kids this summer.

1. Movies in the Park — Elk Grove

Families can watch free movies around various parks in Elk Grove as part of Movies in the Park. Movie showings begin in May. At the time of this article’s publishing, only two movie dates and locations have been announced for 2026. However, more announcements are on the way, and I will update this article when I learn more.

Seating for Movies in the Park in Elk Grove starts at 6pm. Movies will begin playing at sundown.

2026 Movies in the Park (Elk Grove) Details –

• Saturday, May 2 at Lichtenberger South: The Wild Robot
• Saturday, May 30 at Amundson Park: Zootopia

2. Southgate Recreation & Park District’s Movie in the Park — Sacramento

➡️ Arrive early for kid-friendly activities from the R.E.C. Van, games, and crafts.

Movie in the Park is an annual summer tradition for families in Sacramento, featuring family-friendly movies at different parks. The Southgate Recreation & Park District hosts Movie in the Park. Before the films, kids can enjoy games, crafts, and activities from the R.E.C. Van. Activities start at 6pm. Movies begin playing at sunset.

2026 Movie in the Park (Southgate) Details –

• Thursday, June 4 at Larry Gury Community Park: Lilo & Stitch (live-action)
• Thursday, June 11 at Bowling Green Park: Minecraft
• Tuesday, June 23 at Perry Avenue Park: Bad Guys 2
• Tuesday, July 14 at Norman S. Waters Park: Smurfs
• Thursday, August 6 at Don & Brenda Nottoli Community Park (Sacramento, not Elk Grove!): Zootopia 2

3. Friday Moonlight Movies — Rancho Cordova

➡️ A different food truck is at each movie night, so you don’t even have to worry about dinner!

Rancho Cordova has a beloved free outdoor family movie series in the summertime. Catch the Friday Moonlight Movies at Village Green Park in Rancho Cordova during Friday evenings in June. This year, these family-friendly movies will have a ‘red, white, & movie night’ theme.

In 2026, two movies will play during Friday Moonlight Movies. The first movie will play at 5:30pm, and the second movie will be screened directly after, starting at 7pm. The first movie showing of the evening is particularly family-friendly for all ages.

2026 Friday Moonlight Movies (Rancho Cordova) Details –

• Friday, June 5: Stallion of the Cimarron (5:30pm) & National Treasure (7pm)
• Friday, June 12: An American Tail (5:30pm) & Independence Day (7pm)
• Friday, June 19: Balto (5:30pm) & Captain America: The First Avenger (7pm)
• Friday, June 26: Pocahontas (5:30pm) & Hamilton (7pm)

4. Family Movie Night — Folsom

➡️ Very family-friendly movie night locations ranging from a zoo, aquatic center, and sports complex. Activities and movies are themed to the locations.

Free Family Movie Nights in Folsom are a summer staple in the Sacramento area. With so many fun things to do in Folsom for families, they have their pick of where to hold these outdoor movie nights. They are at unique locations, such as the Andy Morin Sports Complex, Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, and Steve Miklos Aquatic Center.

Family Movie Night activities take place from 6:30pm to 8pm. The movie begins playing at 8:30pm.

2026 Friday Movie Night (Folsom) Details –

• Friday, June 19: Kicking & Screaming at Andy Morin Sports Complex
• Friday, July 17: Wild Robot at Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
• Friday, August 1: Surfs Up at Steve Miklos Aquatic Center

5. D1 Movie Nights — North Natomas

➡️ 2026 movie details have not been announced yet, but in the past, free popcorn has been provided at D1 North Natomas free movie nights. I will update this article has more details are shared.

While 2026 movie details are not yet available, the monthly dates have been announced. These movies are typically shown at North Natomas Regional Park.

2026 D1 Movie Nights (North Natomas) Dates –

• Friday, June 26
• Friday, July 24
• Friday, August 24

More Outdoor Movies in Sacramento County 2026

These outdoor movies in Sacramento aren’t free ones, but they are still favorites. Note that paid outdoor movies tend to skew toward teen and older audiences. Free outdoor movies are usually more family-friendly.

6. Movies Off The Wall at Crocker Art Museum — Sacramento

➡️ Better for teens (some movies are rated R, so even better for older teens or college students)

If teens are looking for a night out, they may be interested in attending Movies Off The Wall at The Crocker. This annual outdoor movie event plays movies on the wall of the famous Crocker courtyard. Movies Off The Wall take place once a month on Thursday evenings in the summer.

One movie in 2026 is rated R, so this series is much better for older teens and college students. Stick with the free movie series for kids. However, I had to include this one as it’s still an iconic summer movie series in Sacramento. Each year, Movies Off The Wall has a theme, and in 2026, it’s romantic comedies from the 90s and early 2000s.

2026 Movies Off The Wall (Crocker Art Museum) Details –

• Thursday, June 18: The Birdcage (rated R)
• Thursday, July 16: My Big Fat Greek Wedding
• Thursday, August 20: Clueless

Cost: $16 per person for non-museum members

Free Outdoor Movies Near Sacramento 2026

These free outdoor movies are not in Sacramento County, but they’re close!

10. Barnflix at Drake’s: The Barn — West Sacramento

➡️ Best outdoor movies near Sacramento for teens and great food options that have a long duration from May to October

Barnflix is a popular free outdoor movie series at Drake’s: The Barn in West Sacramento. This series is less family-friendly for younger children, as most of the movies are PG-13. However, there are usually a few in the mix geared more for all ages. In 2026, it’s a Zooptopia showing on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Barnflix movies take place on the first Wednesday of every month, beginning in May. The nice thing about seeing a free outdoor movie at Drake’s: The Barn is that you’re in for great food options to purchase, so you don’t have to worry about dinner on Barnflix nights. Drake’s: The Barn is on my list of kid-friendly restaurants in Sacramento. Barnflix movies begin at 8pm.

2026 Barnflix (Drake’s: The Barn in West Sacramento) Details –

• Wednesday, May 6: The Devil Wears Prada
• Wednesday, June 3: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
• Wednesday, July 1: Zootopia
• Wednesday, August 5: I Know What You Did Last Summer (rated R)
• Wednesday, September 2: Clueless
• Wednesday, October 7: Hocus Pocus

11. Friday Flicks — Roseville

➡️ Free movie-inspired activities and swag bag before the before the film begins

Friday Flicks in Roseville is a free outdoor movie at Vernon Street Town Square. Movies begin playing at 8 pm or sunset (depending on which one comes first). As of 2026, only one Friday Flicks movie has been announced. I’ll update this article if more are announced at later dates.

From 6:30pm to 7:30pm, families can participate in movie-inspired activities and collect a Friday Flicks swag bag after completing all activities, before the movie begins.

2026 Friday Flicks (Roseville) Details –

• Friday, May 22: Elio at Vernon Street Town Square

12. Evenings in the Park — Rocklin

➡️ Arrive early for kid-friendly activities like inflatables, a bubble station, and a chalk walk.

In 2026, Evenings in the Park will occur at Whitney Park and Quarry Park. The Whitney Park date is early in the year, happening in mid-April. The Quarry Park date is much later in the season, in mid-October.

2026 Evenings in the Park Details –

• Friday, April 17 at Whitney Park: Zootopia 2
• Friday, October 16 at Quarry Park: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Outdoor Movies in Pools near Sacramento 2026

On a hot summer evening in Sacramento, watching an outdoor movie in a pool is a fun way to cool down. There are several dive-in movies in the Sacramento area. While the majority of outdoor movies on this list are free, dive-in movies do require paid tickets.

13. Fairytale Royalty Float-In Movie Night — Sacramento

Jump into a floating fairytale at this outdoor movie night at the Christine Thompson Aquatic Center in Sacramento. The Fairytale Royalty Float-In Movie Night will take place in the pool. In addition to a movie, there will be free ice cream, arts and crafts booths, fun movie-inspired decorations, and a whimsical area for photo ops. This event begins at 6:30pm.

Fairytale Royalty Float-In Movie Night Details:

• Friday, June 5: Snow White (Live Action)

Cost: $7 pre-registration; $8 drop-in

14. Dive-In Movie — Elk Grove

Elk Grove already has free movies in the park, but there’s also a dive-in movie event, though this one is not free. Once a month in the summer, movies are shown at the Elk Grove Aquatics Center (located at District 56). Watch a movie while playing in the pool!

Floaties are not allowed during the dive-in movie, but Coast Guard-approved life jackets are allowed. Life jackets are also available at the pool on a first-come, first-served basis. The pool opens at 4pm, and the movies begin showing at sunset.

2026 Dive-In Movie (Elk Grove) Details –

• Saturday, June 20: Wicked
• Saturday, July 11: Frozen
• Friday, August 21: High School Musical

Cost: $8; $5 for children ages 2-4; Free for children under 2

15. Dive-In Movie — West Sacramento

Splash into an outdoor movie in the pool at the Recreation Center in West Sacramento. In 2026, there will be two dive-in movies in the summer, during July and August. 2026 movies have not been announced yet. I will update this post after they confirm which movies will be playing.

Access to the pool begins 30 minutes before the movie starts at sundown, with an estimated showtime at 8:30pm. Paid registration is required.

2026 Dive-In Movie (West Sacramento) Dates –

• Friday, July 10
• Friday, August 7

Cost: $18 non-resident; $15 resident

Drive-In Movie Theaters Near Sacramento

There’s only one drive-in movie theater in Sacramento, and that’s the West Wind Drive-In. At just $2 per child ages 5-11, this is probably the most affordable way for families to see brand-new movies compared to nearly $20 per person in a movie theater. Children 4 and under are free.

I remember going to the drive-ins as a kid, and it was a fun experience. Be sure to check off seeing a movie at the drive-ins on your Sacramento summer bucket list for kids.

Look out for frequent promotions and events at West Wind Drive-In, from free movie nights, food promotions, and more. Don’t forget that you can always find their special events in the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar.

📍West Wind Drive-In Address: 9616 Oates Dr, Sacramento, CA 95827