Sunset Cinema in Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza

Sunset Cinema is a series of free outdoor movies that take place in the plaza at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Wednesday evenings in the summer.

Vancouver’s Sunset Cinema

Six free movies showed in the plaza in front of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in the summer of 2019. Due to COVID-19, however, the 2020 season was cancelled. The events probably didn’t happen in 2021 either. Hopefully it will be able to run again soon.

The plaza’s official name is šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (which is in the local Indigenous language).

The Theatre is located at 630 Hamilton Street. The plaza itself is on West Georgia Street across from the CBC Building and kitty-corner to the main Vancouver Public Library.

Films showing in 2019 were the following:

July 17th – Crazy Rich Asians at 9:30 pm
July 24th – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse at 9:30 pm
July 31st – Dumbo (2019) at 9:15 pm
August 7th – Captain Marvel at 9:15 pm
August 14th – Mary Poppins Returns at 9:00 pm
August 21st – Aladdin (2019) at 9:00 pm

Movie Night at Queen Elizabeth Plaza

Tips and Advice

Below are some suggestions and things to know to help you make the most out of your movie experience.

TIP # 1: Although the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza (or šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn) is a nice and convenient location, it can also be a bit noisy because it’s right on West Georgia Street (which is one of downtown Vancouver’s busiest roads). If your hearing is an issue, don’t sit too far from one of the speakers or consider checking out one of the region’s other Free Outdoor Movie Locations.

TIP # 2: Parking in downtown Vancouver can be expensive. Most parkades offer discounted rates for the evening after 6:00 pm. If there is a major event going on at nearby BC Place Stadium or Rogers Arena, however, they jack the prices up so expect to pay a lot.

TIP # 3: Take public transit if you can. The Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain Station is just a couple of blocks away, and Vancouver City Centre Station isn’t too far either.

TIP # 4: Take a blanket or warm sweater. It can get cool in the evenings, especially in the second half of August. Bring your own chair too if you can.

TIP # 5: Sometimes the Queen Elizabeth Theatre sets up a bar and licensed area outside prior to the show. If you want an adult (19+) beverage, and you look young, be sure to take photo ID.

TIP # 6: Arrive early to get a good seat.

TIP # 7: Also in the summer, across the street in the plaza outside the CBC Building at 700 Hamilton Street, live music takes place from 12:00 until 1:00 pm on weekdays between mid-July and mid-August. Click CBC Nooners for details.