Free Outdoor Movie Nights Return to Long Island Parks for Summer 2026; “Free Movies in the Park” [UPDATED for 2026]
LONG ISLAND, NY – Families across Nassau and Suffolk counties can look forward to another season of free outdoor movie screenings, as towns, villages, parks, and local organizations bring back summer movie nights for 2026.
The screenings – ranging from animated favorites to family blockbusters – run from late June through August and are hosted at parks, beaches, village greens, amphitheaters, and community spaces across Long Island. Many events include pre-movie activities such as inflatables, games, food trucks, music, or character appearances. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets and check the host’s website before heading out, as schedules may change due to weather.
Here’s a roundup of some of the confirmed free outdoor movie series taking place across Long Island during the summer of 2026:
Where to Catch Free Outdoor Movies on Long Island in 2026
- Town of North Hempstead
The town’s Summer 2026 concerts, movies, and Shakespeare in the Park series includes outdoor movie nights at town parks, with the full schedule posted through the Parks & Recreation events page. - Farmingdale Village Green
Tuesday night Movies on the Village Green return throughout July, with screenings scheduled for July 7, 14, 21, and 28. Activities begin around 7:30 p.m., with the feature presentation starting at dusk. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. - Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
Nassau County’s free summer concert and movie series returns to Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theatre, with family-friendly movie nights scheduled during the summer season. - Great Neck Park District
The 2026 Programs in the Park movie series includes Thursday evening screenings at Village Green and Steppingstone Park. Scheduled titles include Wicked For Good, Zootopia 2, How to Train Your Dragon, and GOAT. - Town of Oyster Bay – Movies by Moonlight
Free Thursday night movies run from July 9 through August 13 at parks and beaches across the town. Scheduled films include Zootopia 2, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, The Bad Guys 2, Elio, and Cars. Pre-movie activities include inflatables and games. - Town of Islip
Islip’s 2026 Movies in the Park series includes free screenings at Brookwood Hall, Casamento Park, Atlantique Marina, Roberto Clemente Park, Islip Grange, and other locations. Titles include Daddy Day Camp, The Emoji Movie, Lilo & Stitch, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Elio. Gates generally open at 6:30 p.m., with movies starting at dark. - Heritage Park, Mount Sinai
The Heritage Center’s Movies in the Moonlight series returns to Heritage Park from late June through early September. The 2026 lineup includes Zootopia 2, National Treasure, Miss Congeniality, Lilo & Stitch (2025), A League of Their Own, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and Back to the Future. Admission is free, movies begin at dusk, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Know Before You Go
Most outdoor movie nights are free and open to the public, though some locations may have residency, parking, or capacity rules. Families should bring chairs, blankets, snacks, and bug spray, and arrive early for the best viewing spots.
Because outdoor screenings are weather-dependent, attendees should check the official town, village, park, or county website before leaving home.
With movie nights scheduled across Nassau and Suffolk counties, Long Island families have plenty of ways to enjoy a summer evening outdoors without spending much – or anything at all.
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