Movies under the stars are one of many great summer pleasures in Sonoma County. Whether it’s a beloved classic or modern blockbuster, the season offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy your favorite films in favorite haunts like wineries, parks and luxe hotels.
We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite summer showings to make organizing your calendar easy. Some have a fee, but many are free! So grab your family, friends and a blanket or two, and make a date for some Hollywood magic in the great outdoors.
Summer on the Square
June 17, 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22
Now through July, every Monday night is movie night on Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa. A combination of new and old family-friendly films, up next on the schedule is the 2023 release of The Little Mermaid, on June 17. Summer on the Square is going old-school for its final night, July 22, with the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Summer on the Square will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Mondays through July. See the entire movie lineup here. Food and drink will be available from local vendors. Admission is free.
Courthouse Square, Fourth Street and Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, downtownsantarosa.org
Movies in the Park
Aug. 16, 23, 30; Sept. 6, 13
Just as Summer on the Square winds down, Movies in the Park — Howarth Park, that is — kicks into high gear. Movies play on the lower lawn by the Land of Imagination Playground. There’s a seating area up front for those with blankets to sit on. Guests are welcome to bring a chair, but will have to sit further back or to the sides. The free movie series kicks off Aug. 16 with the animated film, Migration. Movies start on Fridays at dusk, around 8 p.m., with various pre-movie activities on the lawn starting an hour before the showing. Food vendors, such as Lucky Pop Kettle Corn and Buns y Garnachas, will be available each night. See what’s playing through September here.
630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. 707-543-3298, srcity.org
Franco-American Movie Night
July 13
Let the family-friendly flick Ratatouille take you on a culinary journey through Paris, without leaving the lawn at DeLoach Vineyards in Santa Rosa. Bring your own blanket or low lawn chair. Wood-fired pizza can be purchased from the Oakville Grocery food truck and wine will be available by the bottle or glass. Doors open at 7 p.m. for wine and food purchases, and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets, which include a complimentary bag of popcorn, must be purchased by July 7. $20 for adults, children under 12 are free. Reserve a spot on Tock.
1791 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-755-3300, deloachvineyards.com
Movies Under the Stars
June 21, July 13, 19; Aug. 3, 16; Sept. 6, Oct. 25
The Alexander Valley Film Society (perhaps better known as AVFilm) has a nostalgic lineup of free movies on this year’s Movies Under the Stars schedule. The Wizard of Oz, The Sandlot and Hocus Pocus, are just a few of our favorites.
Showings are offered select Friday and Saturday nights through October. Movies Under the Stars takes place in assorted locations throughout Healdsburg and Cloverdale, including Healdsburg Plaza and two drive-in movie theaters at the Cloverdale Municipal Airport. Bring your own blankets and chairs; movie theater goodies will be available for purchase. All movies begin at sundown.
Healdsburg and Cloverdale, avfilmpresents.org
Movies in the Park
June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 27, Oct. 25
There’s a handful of outdoor movie showings in Petaluma to add to your summer calendar. All showings are free and take place at Lucchesi Park. Sing kicks off the series on June 21. View the 2024 lineup here. Food and beverage vendors will be on hand.
320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. 707-778-4380, cityofpetaluma.org
Family Movies on the Green
June 18, 25; July 9, 16, 23, 30; Aug. 6
Tuesday nights are movie nights in Windsor. Bring your own blanket or low-back chair, as showings will take place on the Windsor Town Green. All movies are free and begin 15 minutes after sunset. Barbie is the next blockbuster playing on the Town Green, on June 25. View the full schedule here.
701 McClelland Drive, Windsor. 707-838-1260, townofwindsor.com
Movies at the Green
July 6, 20; Aug. 11, Sept. 28
The Green Music Center at Sonoma State University offers a multitude of fun summer events. While there’s been a lot of chatter about this summer’s concert offerings by The Beach Boys and UB40, you don’t want to forget about the four Movies at the Green.
The season kicks off on July 6 with a double header of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. Guests are welcome to pack a picnic to enjoy on Weill Lawn. Admission to Movies at the Green is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. View the Movies on the Green schedule here.
1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 707-664-4246, gmc.sonoma.edu
Summer Movies in La Plaza Park
Aug. 6, Sept. 21
Movies begin at sunset, so it’s a good idea to arrive at Cotati’s La Plaza Park a bit early to get comfortable. Up next is Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie on Aug. 6. All showings are free. Learn more and view the schedule here.
Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue, Cotati. 707-796-7301, cotaticity.org
Cinema in the Courtyard Series,
June 24, July 8, 22; Aug. 5, 19
Forestville’s Farmhouse Inn will serve up dinner and a movie this summer, only better. Pair classic flicks like Jaws and Casablanca with delicious menu specials, cocktails and wine from Farmhouse Inn’s casual eatery, Farmstand. Be sure to save room for the housemade s’mores. (You can thank us later.)
Movie nights at Farmhouse Inn take place twice a month, starting at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday nights. Details are included on the hotel’s weekly activities calendar and on social media. A different local winery will be on hand pouring for every screening. Movie nights are complimentary for hotel guests; the public is welcome, but must have a dinner reservation at Farmstand to join in on the fun.
7871 River Road, Forestville. 70-887-3300, farmhouseinn.com
Movies on The Lawn
July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct. 2
All you have to do is show up. The folks at The Madrona in Healdsburg have thought of everything you might need for a stellar cinematic experience under the stars. Along with classic flicks and an outdoor tasting lounge with pours from local wineries, there’s cozy blankets and tufts to elevate the lawn-style seating.
Movie nights typically take place on the first Wednesday of the month. The next film on tap is Labyrinth, on July 10, and Flambeaux Wine will be on hand pouring. See the full lineup here. Each ticket includes admission, headphones, popcorn, a snack and a complimentary glass of wine from a rotating roster of local wineries. There will also be a chance to win a variety of prizes, ranging from wine tastings and hotel stays to assorted local products. Tickets are $50 per person. Reserve Movies on The Lawn tickets on OpenTable.
Want to spend the night? The code MOVIENIGHT offers guests 30% discount off hotel rooms on movie nights.
1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg. 707-395-6700, themadronahotel.com
Hot Summer Movie Night
Aug. 3
Savor your Sonoma County backyard on the silver screen during a showing of American Graffiti at Gundlach Bundschu winery in Sonoma. Famed director George Lucas filmed scenes from the nostalgic masterpiece in downtown Petaluma. Hot Summer Movie Night takes place from 6-10 p.m. on Aug. 3. Bring a blanket. The $15 entry fee includes popcorn and candy for the whole family. Kids under 5 are free. Food and wine by the glass and bottle will be available for purchase. Reserve tickets on Tock.
2000 Denmark St., Sonoma. 707-938-5277, gunbun.com