If you can’t make it out to the drive in, check out one of these parks showing outdoor movies this summer.
Des Moines Art Center’s Free Flix: Summer-time’s Free Flix at the Des Moines Art Center is back! Free films will be shown on the Art Center lawn the first Thursday of July, August, and September at dusk (about 8:30 pm). Come early and bring your chairs, blankets, and picnics for fun pre-film activities. (Author note: I attended the first screening in June, which was one of my childhood faves, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and had an absolute blast! A word to the wise, bring bug spray.)
Next up:
July 7: Jaws
August 4: Annie Hall
September 1: Casablanca
Ankeny’s Movies Under the Stars: Get your popcorn ready for Fridays at the Wagner Park band shell for Movies Under the Stars! All movies are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket or chair and your favorite snack. All movies begin at dusk.
Next up:
July 15 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars
July 22 – March of the Penguins
July 29 – The Blind Side
Des Moines Pools “Floatin’ Free Flicks”: Gates open at 8:00 PM on specified dates and locations for swimming. Movies begin shortly after sunset. All movies are rated PG. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Concessions will be open and food will be available for purchase. Outside food and beverages NOT permitted inside the gates. Chaise lounges are available or bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. One-person floatation devices will be permitted in the pool during the movie and lifeguards will be on duty. Admission is free.
July 30 – How to Train your Dragon (Nahas Aquatic Center)
August 6 – Monsters Inc. (Northwest Aquatic Center)
Windsor Height’s Movies in the Park: Movies in the Park is back again this year in Colby Park. With a fabulous line-up, it will truly be outdoor cinema at its best, thanks not only to the setting but also to the selections made by an all-volunteer committee. All movies are free and begin at dusk. Lawnchairs, blankets and picnics are all welcome.
Next up:
July 8 – The Karate Kid
July 15 – Antz
July 22 – Iron Man 2
July 29 – The Blind Side
City of Des Moines Park & Recreation: Enjoy outdoor fun for the whole family at your local Des Moines park this summer. Movies are viewed on a 30-foot inflatable screen, and begin after sunset, at approximately 8:00 p.m. Admission to the movie is free, with popcorn, candy, and soft drinks available for purchase. Bring your blanket and lawn chair for a free night of family fun in a beautiful park setting.
Next up:
July 8 – Karate Kid (Evelyn Davis Park)
August 2 – Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore (Evelyn Davis Park)
August 13 – Shark Tales (Grubb YMCA)
September 3 – Karate Kid (Union Park)
September 10 – Tangled (Union Park)
September 17 – Toy Story 3 (Union Park)
September 24 – Despicable Me (Union Park)
