From the ‘90s, Summer Movie Night has grown to be one of the most popular events in summer. The people of Vancouver enjoyed the special summer event that provided them with a unique outdoor cinema encounter under the marvellous summer sky filled with stars. This creative event began as a small endowment in 1992 to gather the community to a communal, climate-friendly ice-breaker. The giant screen was set at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza, and the best part was that movies were seen for free, from classics to current flicks.
Because of budget restraints and changes in the city’s event organizing, Summer Movie Night had to take an unforeseen hiatus and will be back for the first time from July 4th to August 15th, 2024. It is a highly anticipated experience for Vancouver citizens, visitors from other cities, and me since I will also do it for the first time. In the mid-2000s, Summer Movie Night was at its peak: the central open space of the North Plaza flourished with flowers and people in their thousands. Every weekend, families, large groups of friends, and couples of all ages came to the North Plaza filled with picnics and blankets, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
Vancouver will screen free outdoor movies in art gallery plaza https://t.co/D0OLm0PpPX pic.twitter.com/I4GMRssHdw
— The Vancouver Sun (@VancouverSun) June 19, 2018
More than a simple movie screening location, the Summer Movie Night has become an epicenter of the local film culture with local food truck stalls and beer shops popping open, the performance groups giving their shows before the screenings, and the movie workshop set up inside.
The summer of 2015 was the last time Summer Movie Night took place, the event had to be paused, and the citizens of Vancouver felt the loss of a symbolic and cherished summer event. Finally, in 2024, after nine years, the event makes a return, and this time the community is even more enthusiastic about it. This is because the organizers have assured the film lovers of the community that they will be revising and optimizing the event to resonate with the changes in the city and optimal user preferences.
Summer Movie Night is hosted by @downtownvan, updated this year is a specially selected mix of innovative new films and some of our favorite classics. There is something for everyone, with subtitles and wheelchair spaces throughout, it’s a truly inclusive and accessible experience. Moreover, the organization plans to bring local artists and food trucks to the event, offering a chance to sample and encourage movies and Vancouver’s local talent. Whether one is an avid film enthusiast or completely new into the enterprise, you will seize this opportunity to enjoy a movie at one of Vancouver’s beloved and iconic venues this summer.
I am counting down the days until my first summer evening: moments of the year that anticipate weeks of laughing, applauding, smiling, popcorn sipping, and display together with my friends. Mark the summer date on your schedule book, and plan on attending one of Vancouver’s most enjoyable and secure vibrant summer presentations: I hope to see you there. The event will happen:
- When: Thursday evenings, July 4—Aug 15, 2024. Movies begin at sundown, with performances and activities starting at 5pm.
- Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly known as the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza).
For more information, visit: https://www.dtvan.ca/summermovienights/
Stay tuned for the full movie lineup, coming soon. For the latest updates, make sure to follow @SUMMERMOVIENIGHTSVAN on social media.
Like what you see? Comment below with your favorite movie, who you will invite and what you’re looking forward to watching there ↓