***UPDATED: Change to a Zebulon NC movie date. ***
Originally published March 27, 2016. Updated June 28, 2016.
Knightdale NC (Wake County)
Knightdale Parks, Recreation & Cultural Programs is holding their “Outdoor Movie Night Series” again for Spring 2016. Movies are free and open to the public. Bringing a blanket or portable chair is encouraged.
This movie series is being held at the Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater, 810 North First Avenue, in Knightdale NC.
Movies are outdoors and begin at dusk.
The following movie dates are set:
- April 8, 2016 — How to Train Your Dragon
- May 13, 2016 — Rio 1
- June 10, 2016 — Home
- June 24, 2016 — Independence Day
PTA groups from three local elementary schools are running the concession stands, with all concession proceeds directly supporting the school’s PTA. April proceeds go to Lockhart Elementary School. May proceeds go to Forestville Road Elementary School. June proceeds go to Hodge Road Elementary School.
Two additional vendors will be taking turns covering the movie nights. C&J Funnel Cakes will be on-hand for the April 8 and June 10 showings. Dusty Donuts will be there for the other two movie nights, May 13 and June 24.
The town has sponsor opportunities available for businesses that would like to support town events like the movie nights. Contact Megan Thornton for sponsor information. The Town of Knightdale website may contain more details.
Rocky Mount NC (Nash/Edgecombe Counties)
Rocky Mount Parks & Recreation is bringing back the summer “Lawn Chair Theatre” series for 2016.
Movies are shown on the lawn of the Imperial Centre for Arts & Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Movies are still shown if it rains; however, the showing will be moved indoors at the adjacent Imperial Centre Education Building. Bringing a blanket or lawn chair is encouraged.
Before each movie, kids can enjoy free activities, provided by the Rocky Mount Children’s Museum & Science Center, prior to the start of each movie. Doors open at 7pm, and then movies begin at 8:30pm. Concessions and drinks are available for purchase.
Movie dates at Imperial Centre are set, with movie titles yet to be announced.
- June 17, 2016 — Movie Title TBD
- July 1, 2016 — Movie Title TBD
- July 15, 2016 — Movie Title TBD
- July 29, 2016 — Movie Title TBD
More information on Imperial Centre is on their website, www.imperialcentre.org.
The City of Rocky Mount NC includes Parks and Rec special event information on their website here.
Lawn Chair Theatre updates, along with pre-showing voting for films, it online here.
Rolesville NC (Wake County)
Rolesville is holding a “Family Movie Series” for 2016. Three free movies will be held at Rolesville Middle School, 4700 Burlington Mills Road, Rolesville NC, outdoors on the football field.
- May 14, 2016 @ 8:15 pm — Up
- June 11, 2016 @ 8:15 pm — Book of Life
- August 13, 2016 @ 8:15 pm — LEGO Movie
Before the movie begins, food trucks will be on hand so families can have a little to eat before they settle in for the show. Concessions will be available during each movie, so patrons can purchase snacks or drinks.
Rolesville’s Parks & Recreation Department may be reached at 919.554.6582. The Town is also holding a Summer Concert Series in 2016. More information may be found on the Town of Rolesville official website.
Wilson NC (Wilson County)
The Wilson County Public Library holds a Teen Movie Night on the third Tuesday of each month. The next scheduled movies are:
- April 19, 2016 @ 6-8:30pm
- May 17, 2016 @ 6-8:30pm
Movies are free. The Teen Movie Nights end for the season following the May 17 event.
Zebulon NC (Wake County)
The Town of Zebulon Parks and Recreation Department is holding “Family Movie Night” in 2016. Movies started March 11, 2016, and will be shown on the second Friday of each month. Next dates are:
- April 8, 2016
- May 13, 2016
- June 10, 2016
Free popcorn and juice boxes are provided for children, free of charge. The Parks and Rec Department requires a parent or guardian to be present with their child(ren). To find out more, or ask which movie is showing, call 919.823.0432. Movies start at 7pm; doors open at 6:30pm. Join the fun at the Zebulon Community Center, located at 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC.
The “movie in the park” outdoor screening is rescheduled from June 3, 2016, to July 1, 2016. Doors open around 7pm, and the movie begins around 8:30pm at Zebulon Community Park, 401 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Bring a chair or blanket.
The Town of Zebulon official website is www.townofzebulon.org.
Nashville NC (Nash County)
The Town of Nashville NC’s Summer Movie Series returns. Grab blankets and chairs and join these family-friendly movie nights, sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department! This year’s movies kick off on May 6th with The Wizard of Oz and wind down on Halloween night with Goosebumps! All movies will be shown at Glover Park and concessions will be available! This year’s line-up includes:
- May 6, 2016 – The Wizard of Oz
- June 3, 2016 –Field of Dreams
- July 15th –Yogi Bear
- August 2nd – Despicable Me 2
- September 2nd – Remember the Titans
- October 31st – Goosebumps!
According to the town website, the J.W. Glover Memorial Park & Recreation Complex is located “just off of South First Street/NC Highway 58 South (at 1434 South First Street), immediately adjacent to Nash Central Middle School” in Nashville NC.
Other Free Movie Locations
The list above covers just a few of the local film opportunities. Other Eastern NC towns and cities beyond those listed may provide outdoor — and indoor — special movie showings, including a few coastal towns. Some movie showings are for all ages, while others may be just for seniors.
- Downtown Raleigh Movie Series (Wake County) — website not currently updated for 2016 — downtownraleighmovieseries.com
- Carolina Beach NC (New Hanover County) Lake Park Movie Series — movie details online for 2016 — www.whatsonwilmington.com/eventList.php?venue_id=78
- Oak Island NC (Brunswick County) Outdoor Movie Nights — some 2016 info online — oak-islandnc.com/summer-movie-nights
- Calabash NC (Brunswick County) Movie Nights — 2016 info is online — calabashtown.com/calabash-movie-nights
- The NASH Senior Center (Nash County) Friday Afternoon Popcorn & A Movie — info released quarterly — Start at County Aging Dept page & click “Newsletter” link at left
Know of a free local movie showing offered? Email The Grey Area news and let the editor know! Listings above will be updated as more events are announced.
Ed. Note: Originally published March 18, 2016. Updated.
