Free Family Fun
City Cinemas — Free Outdoor Movies in SCV Parks
Jurassic Park at William S. Hart Park, Top Gun at Canyon Country Community Center, and more free outdoor movie screenings under the stars. Grab your blankets and popcorn — the City of Santa Clarita's City Cinemas series is back for summer 2026.
July 29, 2026 Sam Silver 5 min read
Upcoming Screenings
The City of Santa Clarita's City Cinemas program brings free outdoor movies to parks across the valley on the fourth Friday of each month during summer. Here is the lineup for the rest of the season:
Jurassic Park (1993)
Steven Spielberg's dinosaur masterpiece
Location
William S. Hart Park
24151 Newhall Ave, Newhall
Time
7:30 PM
Food trucks from 6:30 PM
Top Gun (1986)
The iconic aerial action classic
Location
Canyon Country Comm. Center
18410 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country
Time
7:00 PM
Food trucks from 6:00 PM
Know Before You Go
What to Expect at City Cinemas
City Cinemas is the City of Santa Clarita's free summer outdoor movie series, held on the fourth Friday of each month from June through September. Each screening takes place at a different park or community venue across the valley — every location is carefully chosen to make the most of the outdoor setting.
Food trucks arrive one hour before showtime, so plan to come early. Grab dinner from a rotating lineup of local food vendors, find your spot on the lawn, and settle in as the sun sets and the screen lights up. The atmosphere is classic community summer: families on blankets, kids running around with glow sticks, neighbors chatting while the opening credits roll.
"The Jurassic Park screening at Hart Park is going to be something special," says Sam Silver, SCV local and veteran REALTOR. "There is something about watching dinosaurs on a giant screen under the stars with the Hart Mansion in the background. It is pure SCV summer magic. I will be there with my family."
What to Bring
- Blankets or low-back lawn chairs (high backs block sightlines)
- A light jacket — it cools down quickly after sunset
- Snacks and drinks (food trucks available too)
- Insect repellent for evening comfort
- Sunscreen if arriving before sunset
- Flashlight or phone light for packing up in the dark
Earlier This Summer
Earlier Screenings This Season
The 2026 City Cinemas season kicked off in June and has been drawing big crowds all summer. Here is a look back at the films that have already screened:
Mean Girls
Bridgeport Park
Cars
Central Park
Jurassic Park
William S. Hart Park
Top Gun
Canyon Country Comm. Center
Bonus: Val Verde Park Screenings
LA County Parks & Recreation
In addition to the City of Santa Clarita's City Cinemas series, LA County Parks & Recreation is hosting free outdoor movie screenings at Val Verde Community Park (30300 W. Henry Mayo Drive, Val Verde) on select Friday evenings this summer. These screenings offer another option for families looking for free outdoor entertainment in the SCV area, especially for those on the western side of the valley near Castaic and Val Verde.
Check LA County Parks' website for the current schedule and film lineup. Screenings begin at sundown and admission is free.
LA County Parks EventsSam's Tips
Insider Tips for Movie Night
Arrive Early: Food trucks open one hour before the movie starts. Getting there early means you can grab dinner, claim a good viewing spot, and settle in before it gets dark. Popular screenings like Jurassic Park draw big crowds.
Low Chairs Only: If you bring chairs, keep them low to the ground. High-backed camping chairs block the view of everyone behind you. Stadium seats or low-slung beach chairs are the way to go.
Layer Up: Even on hot summer days, temperatures in SCV drop quickly after the sun goes down. A light jacket or blanket makes a big difference by the time the credits roll.
Parking: All screening locations have ample free parking, but lots fill up for popular films. Arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime to avoid walking a long distance with your blankets and chairs.
See You at the Movies?
"If you see me at Hart Park for Jurassic Park, come say hi. I will be the one with the bowl of popcorn who knows every line. That is the beauty of SCV — your local REALTOR is also your neighbor, and I love nothing more than seeing this community come together for a movie under the stars."
Thinking about making Santa Clarita Valley your home? Sam would love to help you find the perfect place — ideally one within walking distance of Hart Park.