Stanley Park Cinema

Summer Cinema is a series of FREE outdoor movies showing once a week on Tuesday evenings in Vancouver’s Stanley Park on the lawn by Second Beach in summer.

In 2026 the movies run from July 14th until September 1st.

Movie Nights at Stanley Park in 2026

The movies at Stanley Park typically run from early July until late August or early September. They take place at Ceperley Meadow beside Second Beach.

Shows usually start at dusk, which varies depending on the week. The movies are completely free to watch. This year, there are also VIP tickets available online starting at about $30 each. They include a reserved cottage-style chair near the front.

Summer Cinema Schedule

Below are the listed dates and movies for the 2026 cinema season.

(Note: Show times and film details are subject to change.)

14th of July, 2026 – Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
21st of July, 2026 – Mean Girls (2004)
28th of July, 2026 – Moulin Rouge (2001)
4th of August, 2026 – Hoppers (2026)
11th of August, 2026 – Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
18th of August, 2026 – The Notebook (2004)
25th of August, 2026 – Interstellar (2014)
1st of September, 2026 – cinemagoers can vote between Jurassic Park (1993) and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

LIVE MUSICAL THEATRE

In addition to the weekly outdoor movies at Stanley Park, some of the region’s best theatre productions also happen in the same park every night in July and August. The two live shows playing in the park in 2026 are The Little Mermaid and Sister Act.

If you like live theatre and musicals, there are great shows that you won’t want to miss! See our article about Theatre Under the Stars for details.

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your summer entertainment experiences in Stanley Park.

TIP #1: If you want a guided tour around Stanley Park, then sign up for the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park walking tour with Forbidden Vancouver. Other exceptional tours with the company include Lost Souls of Gastown, Hidden History & Sweet Treats, and the Really Gay History Tour.

TIP #2: Bring your own blankets or deck chairs. Also take a sweater, especially towards the end of the summer as it can get cool at night.

TIP #3: Get there early to find parking and a good spot to set up your blanket or lawn chair.

TIP #4: If you like being entertained in the outdoors, check out the Theatre Under the Stars shows. It also takes place at Stanley Park from July 3rd to August 22nd in 2026 and it’s exceptional.

TIP #5: Don’t just go to Stanley Park for the movies (or live theatre). There is so much to do in the area, so combine your trip to see a show with some late afternoon and/or early evening exploring. Go for a walk or bike ride along the seawall, take your swimsuit and enjoy a swim, or have a picnic and enjoy the park.

Other Free Outdoor Movies and Information

See the Summer Cinema website for more information about the above series of outdoor films.

Stanley Park isn’t the only place to find free outdoor movies in the Lower Mainland in the summer. In fact, there are usually over 50 films showing at different venues throughout the region. Click Lower Mainland Outdoor Movies for information on other venues.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following: