Free Summer Movies and Music in and around DC

Disclaimer: This is a list of child friendly and adult friendly movies. As you will see some of these don’t begin until sunset so perhaps it’s a late summer evening for some kids or a date night for parents. Have fun watching some free movies this summer.

Bethesda Outdoor Movies
(Woodmont Triangle, Corner of Norfolk & Auburn Avenues)

Enjoy five nights of free blockbuster hits at downtown Bethesda’s 9th annual outdoor movie series. Show times begin at 9pm at the corner of Norfolk and Auburn Avenues. A limited number of chairs will be provided and attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs. A date night in the works as most of these are not kid-friendly or at least for the littlest ones. 

July 22: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
July 23: Moonrise Kingdom
July 24: Citizen Kane
July 25: Pitch Perfect
July 26: Top Gun

NoMa Family Film Night

(Sursum Corda Plaza, L and First Streets, NW)

Now in its fourth year, the NoMa BID is proud to present Family Film Night at Sursum Corda, where families and children gather for free family-centric movies (also fitting the ‘Unlikely Friendships’ theme) and free food. Family Film Night will take place on four Tuesdays this summer.

June 24: WALL-E (G) at 7:00 pm
July 8: Frozen (PG) at 7:00 pm
July 22: The Lego Movie (PG) at 7:00 pm
Aug 5: Despicable Me 2 (PG) at 7:00 pm

NoMa Summer Screen
(field at Second and L Streets, NE)

For adults, check out NoMa Summer Screen for Date Night Movies. NoMa Summer Screen is a free, 13-week outdoor film series in NoMa, Washington, D.C.’s fastest growing neighborhood. Every Wednesday from May 28 to August 20, bring your friends, family and neighbors at the field at Second and L Streets, NE, for music, giveaways, food trucks, picnicking, and of course, great films under the stars. Movies start at dark and are screened with subtitles. Coolers, children and friendly (leashed) dogs are welcome. We encourage moviegoers to bring blankets, Frisbees, and picnic coolers to connect with friends and neighbors as you enjoy great films under the stars. Follow us on Twitter @NoMaBID or Facebook for weather updates, surprise giveaways, weekly activities, and information on food vendor specials. Kick’s off with Back to the Future on May 28.

Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)

Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. The 2014 season runs from Sunday, May 25th through Sunday, September 28^th beginning at 6:00 until 9:00. Meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of ocean breezes and all-ages fun! Bring your lawn chairs, snacks and enjoy the show!

Just a few highlights- see full schedule:
May 25: Up
June 1: Finding Nemo
June 22: The Parent Trap
June 29: The Princess Diaries
July 13: Wizard of Oz
July 20: Willy Wonka
July 27: Annie
Sept 7: Finding Neverland
Sept 14: Peter Pan (1953)
Sept 21: Peter Pan (2003)
Sept 28: Hook

Crystal Screen

(1851 S Bell St, Arlington, VA 22202)

The Crystal City BID hosts a free outdoor film festival every Monday in the summer. With the help of Moonflicks, a courtyard in Crystal City is transformed into a movie theater. There is no better place to meet friends, bring a picnic, and enjoy an evening under the stars. Theme this year is In Flight and we don’t see many child-friendly flicks, unfortunately. On the bright side, this could be another date night spot this summer!

June 2:  Airplane!
June 9:  Drop Zone
June 16:  Planes, Trains & Automobiles
June 23:  Red Eye
June 30:  Top Gun
July 7:  Hot Shots!
July 14:  Up in the Air
July 21:  Con Air
July 28: Iron Eagle
Aug 4: Red Tails
Aug 11:  Executive Decision
Aug 18:  Flight
Aug 25: Snakes on a Plane

Cinema Del Ray 
(Mount Vernon Rec Center: 2017 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307) 

The fun begins at 7:00pm. Free open air movie showings sponsored by Jen Walker. Snacks are even available for purchase, bring blankets and cozy up.

June 21: Despicable Me 2
July 19: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
Aug 16: The Lego Movie

Canal Park
(Canal Park, at 2nd and M St., SE- Navy Yard Metro)

Beginning at sundown/8:45pm which is probably too late for the littlest family members but perhaps your teenagers can attend. Thursday evenings bring a lawn chair and have fun watching the kids (or jointing in) as they play wii on the big screen or trivia until the movie begins., If there are any little ones in tote, last year there were plenty of hula hooping going on. Bring a lawn chair to this movie!

June 5: The Sandlot (PG)
June 12: Happy Gilmore (PG-13)
June 19: Dodgeball (PG-13)
June 26: Wimbledon (PG-13)
July 3: No Movie – Holiday Weekend
July 10: Balls of Fury (PG-13)
July 17: Space Jam (PG)
July 24: Invincible (PG)
July 31: Bend it Like Beckham (PG-13)
Aug 7: Rudy (PG)
Aug 14: A League of Their Own (PG)
Aug 21: The Blind Side (PG-13)
Aug 28: No Movie – Holiday Weekend
Sept 4: Moneyball (PG-13)

Movies on the Square
(Rockville Town Square) 

Movie begins around sundown/8:30pm. Bring a lawn chair and family and friends and join us under the stars for some of our favorite blockbusters.

Movie on the Square Schedule:
June 12: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2
June 19: Saving Mr. Banks
June 26: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
July 3: Frozen (Sing-A-Long Version)
July 10: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
July 17: Gravity
July 24: The Great Gatsby (2013)
July 31: The Lego Movie
Aug 7: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Aug 14: Star Trek Into Darkness
Aug 21: Despicable Me 2

Live Music– 

Strathmore’s Backyard Theatre for Children
(Parking for Backyard Theater is in the Mansion lot on a space-available basis. Enter the lot at 10701 Rockville Pike.)
A summertime favorite, Backyard Theater for Children returns with enough music and magic to thrill kids and parents alike – all outdoors under a big tent! Each artsy experience comes at a wallet-pleasing price of only $8 each ($7.20 Stars Price) and free for ages 2 and under. Bring blankets and a bag lunch!

Recess Monkey- June 26
Mister G: ABC Fiesta- July 10
Story Pirates- July 17
Tim & The Space Cadets- July 24
Asanga Domask/Serendib Dance in Rhythm of Lanka- July 31

Friday Night Live Concert Series
(Rockville Town Square)
Kick off your weekend with live entertainment, great company, and fantastic food, wine and beer from the restaurants at Rockville Town Square from 6:30-9pm 
on the Dawson’s Market Stage. Music ranges from 80’s and 90’s cover bands, funk and soul, roots rock blues and southern rock.

Jazz in the Sculpture Garden 
(7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW)
The Jazz in the Garden Series begins its 14th season in May. The free concert series features jazz artists performing a wide variety of styles—salsa, blues fusion, xylophone, Afrofunk, and more—every Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:30 in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

National Memorial Day Concert
(West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol)
Sunday, May 25, 2014, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. PBS sponsors a free concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Rockin on the Riverfront
(355 Water Street SE, Washington DC 20003)
Break out your blankets, picnics, and dancing shoes at The Yards Park! 2014’s Friday Night Concert Series is in full swing.

Wolf Trap National Park
(1645 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182)
Sunday, May 25, 2014, 8:00 p.m. Summer Blast Off! “The President’s Own”. The park for performing arts kicks off the summer season with a free performance by the U.S. Marine Band followed by fireworks. The Filene Center gates open at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the park closes once capacity is reached.

Rock the Row
(1201 South Joyce St. Arlington, Va. 22202)
This summer get ready to get down at the Pentagon Row concert series. With new bands and a brand new plaza it’s going to be better than ever. Thursday Nights, from 7-9pm, July 17 – Aug 21.

A Capitol Fourth
(West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol) 
More details to follow