Top Places to Catch Outdoor Cinema Screenings in 2026
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through summer plans and thought it might be nice to catch a movie at one of those lovely looking outdoor showings? Good news! Spring and summer 2026 is packed with open air screenings across the UK.
We’ve done our research, here are some of the very best places to roll out a blanket and press play this summer in…
Sunset Outdoor Cinema, Portsmouth
Love a proper golden hour moment? Sunset Outdoor Cinema hosts atmospheric screenings in and around Portsmouth, where you can watch your favourite films as the sun dips below the horizon.
All you need to do is bring a chair, pack some snacks, and settle in for a dreamy evening in the heart of lovely Portsmouth.
Summer in Leicester Square, London
In the heart of London, this seasonal open air event shows free films and sport on a big screen in Leicester Square Gardens - a place everyone is familiar with!
Expect crowd-pleasing blockbusters and family favourites alongside summer sports coverage… all accessible without booking. Sounds pretty good!
Everyman Screen on the Canal, King’s Cross
One of London’s most iconic free outdoor screens returns again in 2026, bringing films and classic cinema vibes to Granary Square by the canal.
Just bring a blanket and deckchair to enjoy movies with a scenic backdrop. Find out more here!
Queen’s Park Arena, Glasgow
As part of Glasgow’s summer cultural scene, Glasgow hosts free “Cults & Classics” outdoor screenings on the hillside amphitheatre with films for all ages. Find out more about that one here.
Pop-Up Outdoor Cinema, Rugby (Caldecott Park)
Rugby Borough Council has been hosting free community outdoor film nights in Rugby, with screenings of crowd-pleasers like Back to the Future… perfect for a family picnic screening.
Maybe sign up for Rugby Town’s newsletter to find out when these are going on.
IKEA Family Outdoor Cinema, Various UK IKEA Stores
Some IKEA locations (such as Wednesbury near Birmingham) run free outdoor Disney-themed movie nights and other family film screenings throughout the summer as part of their free family events.
There’s no way to find out about these too far in advance, as they’re spontaneous pop-ups, but just be on the lookout because they look really cool.
Big Screen Bradford, Centenary Square, Bradford
Bradford’s public “Big Screen” is a community resource that hosts free film screenings and content in the city centre, perfect for summer evenings with family or friends.
Bradford is a renowned city when it comes to film and cinema, hosting the National Science and Media Museum, which is well worth a visit. Get in the know about the Big Screen.
Adventure Cinema, Cardiff
Cardiff is hosting an Adventure Cinema from the 7th til the 10th of May at the iconic grounds of Cardiff Castle, which is then moving to Margam Country Park from the 10th til the 12th of July.
This year’s lineup includes Wicked, Grease and The Greatest Showman singalongs, alongside family favourites such as Bing And His Friends at The Cinema and The Gruffalo. Want to find out more about that?
Square Cinema, Edinburgh
June is the month to head to Edinburgh if you want to check out some really cool films. That’s because Square Cinema is in town — specifically in St Andrew’s Square, which will be hosting all-day showings of family friendly film fare as well as gritty brilliance in the evening. Get more information about the Square Cinema now.
Wherever you are in the UK, you can hopefully find a great place to kick back and enjoy a nice outdoor movie with some (hopefully) nice weather this year! If you can’t wait, maybe have a read about how to get free and cheap cinema tickets in your town.