13 free and cheap outdoor summer movie series in the Triangle

Outdoor movies are a summer tradition in Raleigh, Durham Chapel Hill, and beyond. Read on to find an outdoor movie series near you. Most are free. Some cost a nominal fee. Some are geared toward families and some are for adults. Follow each link to get necessary details. In some cases we’ve been able to list the movie schedule.

Apex

Apex Movies in the Park
Nature Park Amphitheatre
2600 Evans Road
June 8th, July 13th, August 10th,

Cary

WakeMed Movies by Moonlight
Booth Amphiteatre
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary
June 14-August 30 2019. Mostly on Fridays, but one Thursday.

Tickets are $5, free for kids 12 and under. Bring a blanket or chair as the spacious lawn at Booth Amphitheatre is transformed into an outdoor movie theatre. Gates open at 7 and the movie starts at dusk. No pets. Bring a picnic (beer and wine OK). Most of the movies are family-friendly, but there are a couple suited for adults.

Bond Park Lakeside Movies
Bond Park, 801 High House Road, Cary
April 18th, May 17th, September 20th, October 18th, 2019
Rent a boat to watch from the lake if you’d like
Free

Chapel Hill

Movies by Moonlight
The Lumina at Southern Village
620 Market St., Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC
Movies start at dusk on most Saturdays.
$5

Movies Under the Stars
McCorkle Place on UNC campus, Chapel Hill NC
Thursdays: June 20th, July 18th, August 8th, 2019
Movies start at 8 p.m. Pre-show family activities will take place beforehand.
Free

The Town of Chapel Hill’s Movies Under the Stars is moving to a new location this summer: McCorkle Place. There will be pre-show activities that relate to the theme of the movie.

Durham

Rock the Park Movie and Concert Series
Durham Central Park
June 22, July 20, August 17, 2019
Free to attend. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food vendors will be on site. No alcohol allowed.

Fourth Friday Film Series at Golden Belt
Fourth Friday of month from April to October
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
SummerStage at Golden Belt, 800 Taylor Street, Durham (next to Hi-Wire Brewing)
Free

The first film scheduled is for adults. Stay tuned for the rest of the film lineup.

Garner

Outdoor Movies on the Back Lawn
Thursdays from May 23 to June 27
Behind Garner Performing Arts Center
Each month there will also be a food truck and beer from a local brewery
Free

Friday Family Flicks and Camping
Three Fridays: May 24, June 28th, July 26th
Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner
Feel free to bring a picnic dinner, or to purchase light concessions.
Free to watch movie. Small fee (and registration required) to camp.

Hillsborough

Movie in the Park
River Park, 140 East Margaret Lane, Hillsborough
So far a movie on April 26 has been announced.
Free.
Concessions for sale.

Knightdale

First Friday Films and Food Trucks
Knightdale Station Park Amphitheatre, 810 North First Avenue, Knightdale
May 3, June 7, August 2nd
Admission is free. Kids’ activities start at 7:30 p.m. and movies start at dusk. Each night there will be a couple food trucks too.

Raleigh

Movies in the Garden
Stephenson Amphitheatre next to the Raleigh Rose Garden, 301 Pogue St, Raleigh, NC 27607
Thursdays July 11th to August 8th, 2019
Concessions start at 7:00 p.m. free movies start at 8:30 p.m. Food trucks and other concessions on site including beer and wine vendors; no outside alcohol allowed. Feel free to bring chairs or blankets and a picnic. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are allowed.

Movies by Moonlight in Dix Park
An occasional outdoor movies series in Dix Park (Flowers Field)
June 15th, July 20th, August 17th, 2019
Free

Wake Forest

Family Movie Nights in Joyner Park
May 25th, June 22nd, July 27th, August 10th
E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd, Wake Forest
Each movie night will start with a related family activity a 7:15 p.m. and the movie will start at dusk.
Free