Vancouver Art Gallery Outdoor Movies

Summer Movie Nights are when free outdoor films take place on Thursday evenings in the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in July and August.

In 2024 the films show weekly between July 4th and August 15th.

Another great downtown venue where outdoor movies take place is the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza. That’s where Sunset Cinema usually happens on Wednesdays in August.

This article includes the following information:

Summer Movie Nights Schedule | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Downtown Vancouver Summer Movie Nights

Free outdoor movies happen in parks and plazas all across the Lower Mainland in the summer. In Vancouver on different days of the week there are free films in front of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, in Stanley Park and in the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, among other places.

To learn about the movies by the Vancouver Art Gallery, continue reading. To learn about free summer film opportunities in other locations, click Free Vancouver Outdoor Movies.

Summer Movie Nights Schedule

Free movies are shown in the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in the 800 block of West Georgia Street on the following Thursdays in 2024. As of mid-April, this year’s lineup of movies has yet to be announced.

4th of July, 2024
11th of July, 2024
18th of July, 2024
25th of July, 2024
1st of August, 2024
8th of August, 2024
15th of August, 2024

Ahead of the screenings on each night there are various activities in the plaza that begin at 5:00 pm. These include mini golf games, live music, roving performers like stilt walkers and more.

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and extra information to help you make the most of your downtown Vancouver movie experience.

TIP #1: A disadvantage of the Vancouver Art Gallery venue for movies is the noise. West Georgia is a very busy and noisy street. One advantage compared to venues elsewhere at parks, however, is you’ll be less likely to be bothered by mosquitos.

TIP #2: Because of the traffic noise, try to find a spot away from West Georgia Street and not too far from one of the speakers. Arrive early to get a good spot.

TIP #3: Take your own chair, a blanket and something warm to wear (as it can get cool in the evening).

TIP #4: The official name of the plaza on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery is šx????n?q Xwtl’e7énk Square. šx????n?q Xwtl’e7énk is an Indigenous term that means “important cultural gathering place.” The name was adopted with respect and in recognition of the fact that Vancouver is on the unceded traditional territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. The word, to the best of our non-expert ability, is pronounced (very approximately) like “Hootlacken.”