Grab a Blanket and Watch Free Movies Under the Stars

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Summer nights in Arlington come with an excellent and completely free perk: a rotating calendar of outdoor movie screenings at parks, plazas, and community spaces across the county. Gateway Park in Rosslyn hosts Friday night screenings at 8:45 p.m. with the Pub in the Park pop-up bar opening at 6 p.m. and on-site food trucks serving dinner before the film—making it one of the most complete outdoor movie experiences in the area. Westpost at National Landing screens films on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m., with blankets and chairs welcome on the plaza and food and drink available from nearby restaurants. Columbia Pike gets 16 outdoor film screenings across the summer—all with Spanish subtitles — alternating between Friday nights at Arlington Mill Community Center and Saturdays at Penrose Square, starting around 8 to 8:30 p.m.

George Mason University’s Arlington campus at 3401 Fairfax Drive hosts its own summer movie series in Virginia Square, with recent offerings including Little Shop of Horrors, My Cousin Vinny, and family-friendly selections on select Friday and Saturday evenings. All screenings are free unless otherwise noted; bring a blanket, bug spray, and something to drink. Check stayarlington.com and arlingtonmagazine.com each May for the full season lineup and dates, which are typically announced in late spring.