There are many ways for kids to celebrate Diwali in the DC area. Photo courtesy of Shwas Dance Studio
Top Things To Do to Celebrate Diwali 2025 in DC with Kids
National Zoo's Boo at the Zoo is one of the DC area's most popular Halloween events. Photo by Juan-Carlos Briceno, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Best Halloween Events in DC 2025 for Kids and Families: Halloween Festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, and More
The Banned Wagon is headed to DC for Banned Books Week! Photo courtesy of Penguin Random House
Jump on the Banned Wagon in DC for Banned Books Week!
Find spooky Halloween fun around Washington, DC with our guide.
GUIDE
Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC
Kids of all ages enjoy apple picking and chomping on an apple right off the tree. Photo courtesy of Butler's Orchard
Apple Picking Near DC in 2025: Best Apple Farms and Apple Festivals for Kids
Light up the night at Baltimore's Great Halloween Lantern Parade. Photo courtesy of Creative Alliance
Top Free Halloween Events in DC 2025: Festivals, Parades, Trunk-or-Treats, and More
Main photo by Tim & Selena Middleton/CC BY 2.0
GUIDE
DC Fall Day Trips Guide: Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2025
It's not fall without a visit to the pumpkin patch. Photo courtesy of Great Country Farms
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 31 Top Things To Do Near DC This Fall
Loads of autumn activities await at the Cox Farms Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals in 2025 for DC Families
Pick the perfect pumpkin at Great Country Farms.
Best Pumpkin Patches Near DC for Picking the Perfect Pumpkin
Enjoy the protected wetland habitat at Huntley Meadows Park. Photo by Monica M.
Best Fall Hikes Near DC to See Fall Foliage
There's lots of farm fun to be had at Great Country Farms! Photo courtesy of Great Country Farms
The Perfect Weekend Itinerary for a Loudoun County, VA Fall Getaway
Planet Word has a 22-foot talking word wall!
The 12 Best FREE Hidden Gems & Secret Spots for Kids in DC
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
The LEGO DUPLO train table at Play Street Museum Gaithersburg is a huge hit with little ones. Photo by author Catie N.S. Misleh
Visit the New Play Street Museum in Gaithersburg, MD with Young Kids
Creek play is a great way for kids to cool off and explore nature. Photo by author Catie Misleh
Best Places for Creek Play Near Washington, DC
Learn the art of blacksmithing at Lawless Forge in Sterling, VA. Photo courtesy of the venue
19 Trending and Out-of-the-Box Activities for Kids in DC
Are you brave enough to conquer Rapterra? Photo credit: © Kings Dominion 2025
DC Area Theme Park News: Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg Turn 50; Six Flags America Closing
Meet lots of goats and cows at South Mountain Creamery. Photo by Jenifer Marino Walters
12 Great Animal Farms and Petting Zoos near DC for Kids
Dave & Buster's is fun for all ages! Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Best Kid-Friendly Arcades in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
You're never too old for a foam pit! Photo courtesy of Sky Zone
Safe and Fun Teen Nighttime Activities Near DC
LEGO® Discovery Center Washington, DC is the perfect birthday spot for little builders.
Only in DC Birthday Parties for Kids: Unique Birthday Parties for All Ages
Go on a safari at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Virginia
Ultimate Virginia Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in VA
You'll have one of the best-dressed babies in the DC area when you shop at one of these baby boutiques!
Best Baby Boutiques for Cool Baby Clothes in DC
Croydon Creek Nature Center has several trails to explore. Photo by John Brighenti via Flickr 2.0
Rockville with Kids: 25 Fun Things to Do in Rockville, Maryland
It doesn't get much better than a delicious slice of pizza! Photo courtesy of Stracci Pizza
Where to Find the Best Pizza in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Enjoy Art in Bloom during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Elvert Barnes via FLickr 2.0
101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

Free Outdoor Movies in Connecticut for Kids Summer 2025

Connecticut has plenty of free outdoor movies for kids this summer, so get your popcorn ready! Photo by Ally Noel.
Connecticut has plenty of free outdoor movies for kids this summer, so get your popcorn ready! Photo by Ally Noel.
5/4/25 - By Ally Noel

The sun goes down, the screen goes up, and it's time for free outdoor movies in Connecticut! Many places offer summer movies for kids in Connecticut. Grab a local ice cream and bring your blankets, (and bug spray) and it's time to make your way over to one of these fun, outdoor flicks that are a great kid-friendly activity . 

If you're looking to mark something else off the summer bucket list, pack up the car and check out our list of Drive-In Movie Theaters in Connecticut. And be sure to check our Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more outdoor fun!

Why Outdoor Movies Are Perfect for CT Families This Summer

Free outdoor movies in CT are a great way to have a budget-friendly family night. And while it might not be as exciting as a water park or a roller coaster, these summer movies for Connecticut kids are still going to make some great childhood memories. And an outdoor movie series can even become a family tradition.

Make the Most of Your Outdoor Movie Night

Kids summer activities in Connecticut can require just a little bit of planning, beyond blankets and bug spray! Here are some things to check on each website as these free summer activities in CT vary from venue to venue:

  • Are these movies really free?
  • What time do the movies start?
  • What should we bring to an outdoor movie?
  • Are pets allowed?
  • What happens if it rains?
  • Are restrooms available?
  • Is there seating available, or should we bring our own?

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Join the crowd in Stamford for free movie nights this summer. Movies in the Park at Mill River photo courtesy of Olivier Kpognon, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Join the crowd in Stamford for free movie nights this summer. Movies in the Park at Mill River photo courtesy of Olivier Kpognon, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Fairfield County - Free Outdoor Movies in CT this Summer for Kids

Outdoor Movie at Hayden Field in Fairfield

Fairfield
May 9, 2025
Activities & pizza available
All ages
Join Parks and Rec for an unforgettable evening under the stars. Enjoy live music, delicious pizza from Proof Pizza, and plenty of fun activities before settling in for a family-friendly movie on the field. READ MORE

Movies Under The Stars at Aspetuck Park

Easton
June 13, 2025 - August 15, 2025
Bounce house & snack shack
All ages
Enjoy a warm summer evening and a movie at Aspetuck Park. There will be a bounce house up before each movie (weather dependant), our snack shack open (chips, candy, drinks). Come on down with family and friends, chairs, blankets, pillows, snacks and bug spray. READ MORE

Outdoor Movies at Calf Pasture Beach

Norwalk
June 20 - September 12, 2025
All ages
Bring the whole family to see a movie. Movies are free, however, parking policies are still in effect still in effect. READ MORE

Movies in the Park at Mill River

Stamford
June 21, - August 2, 2025
Pre-movie activities start at 6pm
Age varies by film
Come with your family and friends to our Movies in the Park, for all ages.This year, Mill River will have pre-movie activities starting at 6 PM, and then the movie screening begins at sunset at TWO new locations at the NEW playground and the Whittingham Discovery Center. READ MORE

Movies at Commons Park in Stamford

Stamford
July 9 - August 23, 2025
All ages
Pets welcome
Bring a picnic and blanket/chairs and sit on the lawn in Commons Park to enjoy a complimentary movie. READ MORE
See Paddington's adventures on a free outdoor movie night for CT kids. Paddington in Peru image courtesy of Studio Canal
See Paddington's adventures on a free outdoor movie night for CT kids. Paddington in Peru image courtesy of Studio Canal

Free Outdoor Movies in CT this Summer for Kids - Hartford and Litchfield Areas

Free Outdoor Movie in Colchester

Colchester
May 9, 2025
Food trucks & concessions
Age 10 & up
t's time to break out your blankets and chairs. The Goonies is on the big screen. Movie starts at 8pm, so get here early to grab drinks, snacks and some delish dinner munchies from Mama Nena. READ MORE

Movie Night - Paddington in Peru in Burlington

Burlington
May 9, 2025
BYO snacks
All ages
A magical evening under the stars. Join Paddington on an unforgettable adventure in Peru, where heartwarming moments and thrilling escapades await. READ MORE

Outdoor Movie Night in Washington

Washington
June 20 - August 20, 2025
BYO snacks
Age varies by film
Join Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens for a favorite Washington tradition – outdoor movie night at Judy Black Park. Movie rolls at dusk. BYO chairs, blankets, food and beverages. READ MORE

CT’s Top Free Outdoor Movie Nights for Kids - New Haven

Movies in the Plaza in New Haven

New Haven
May 7, 2025 - July 23, 2025
Free popcorn and snacks
All ages
Movies in the Plaza is back, bringing you Wednesday night fun October starting October 1 with  Poltergeist. Every Wednesday evening after sundown visitors can enjoy their favorite films under the stars in downtown New Haven. READ MORE

Downtown Milford Summer Movie Nights

Milford
July 2 - July 30, 2025
All ages
The Downtown Milford Business Association presents: Summer Movie Nights. Spend a summer night with a great movie, family, food, and fun at Fowler Pavilion. The Pavilion opens at 6pm, so families and friends can gather, and the feature presentation begins at sundown (around 8pm). READ MORE
Head to Storrs for a family movie night under the stars! Moonlight Movies photo courtesy of Downtown Storrs
Head to Storrs for a family movie night under the stars! Moonlight Movies photo courtesy of Downtown Storrs

Eastern Connecticut’s Top Free Outdoor Movie Nights for Kids

Family Movie Week in Parmalee Farm

Killingly
May 16, 2025
Includes popcorn and soda
All ages
Grab a blanket, sit under the stars, and enjoy a family movie at Parmelee Farm. Celebrate National Prevention Week and come together as families and friends in Haddam Killingworth. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Ally Noel
Ally Noel has lived in Connecticut for over two decades. Before becoming a parent, she worked as an Educational Technology Specialist, helping schools and teachers integrate technology into learning. Now, she’s all about discovering the best family-friendly adventures, activities, and hidden gems. Share your tips, questions, or just say hi at ally@mommypoppins.com, and follow along for family fun at @mommypoppinsct.
Recent Articles By Ally Noel:
Read more articles by Ally Noel.