On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, discover celebrations and local volunteering opportunities for you and your kids around San Diego

When is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? MLK Day takes place the third Monday in January each year, and this year, MLK Day is on January 17. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day for all Americans to unite to honor the legacy and tireless work of this champion of civil rights. In addition to celebrating King’s legacy, this holiday has also become a National Day of Service—encouraging Americans to volunteer and do good in their communities. Here are all the ways to celebrate MLK’s life and how your family can give back to your community, right here in San Diego.

How to Celebrate MLK Day in San Diego

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1. Minecraft March on Washington (Virtual Event)

Jan. 14 & 16: As part of LA Works MLK Day of Service, this virtual event builds upon the anti-racism movement through an interactive march on Washington in Minecraft and an in-person event at LA Memorial Coliseum. Tour a virtual exhibit of the 1963 March on Washington and interact with civil rights leaders like Rev. Dr. King himself. The event takes place from noon-9 p.m. on Jan. 14 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Jan. 16. Advance registration is required and closes at 5 p.m. on Jan. 11. Once you register, LA Works will email a link to attend the event. Access to Minecraft (Java or Bedrock edition) is required. Event details.

2. 2nd Annual MLK Community Day of Service

Jan. 14: Join District 1 Council Member Consuelo Martinez and the City of Escondido for a day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. Volunteers will work together to remove litter and green waste from Washington Park and 2 miles of our community bike trail. Our park and creek trail are accessed by community members of all ages to enjoy riding bikes, jogging, walking, skateboarding, and giving access to many of the city’s parks and amenities. Event details.

3. 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Jan. 15: One of the largest celebrations of its kind in the United States in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The parade is filled with dazzling floats, phenomenal high school bands, drill teams, colleges and universities, fraternities, sororities, churches, peace and youth organizations. Coordinated by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the oldest African American fraternity in America, founded in 1906. This event supports scholarship opportunities for the youth of San Diego. Event details.

4. WorldBeat Cultural Center's 33rd Annual MLK Day Celebration

Jan. 16: Join the WorldBeat Cultural Center in its 33rd Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration celebrating unity in the San Diego community. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr, the free celebration a family-friendly festival with live music, dancing, vegan food, an outdoor cultural arts & craft vendors marketplace, and more. The event also includes multi-cultural performances and special guest speakers. Event details.

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5. 35th Annual All Peoples Celebration

Jan. 16: Alliance San Diego is excited to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the 34th Annual All People's Celebration. The event will be held in person, however, tickets for the in-person event are sold out. You can join virtually through a live, dynamic program. There will be amazing performances and a powerful keynote from disabled rights activist Rebecca Cokley. Event details.

6. MLK Day Critter Camp at the Animal Center

Jan. 16: Kids can learn so much through interacting with animals. Most importantly, they discover that all living beings deserve compassion and understanding—a lesson Martin Luther King Jr. fought every day to teach. This year, in honor of MLK Day, Critter Camp at Helen Woodward Animal Center is focused on creating a more humane world. Campers will interact with a goat, Madagascar hissing cockroach, chicken, snake and guinea pig while learning how to be compassionate to all animals. Event details.

7. 15th Annual Interfaith Day of Service

Jan. 16: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously proclaimed, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do…you have to keep moving forward.” This year, you and your family can partake in an event that brings people of different faiths and cultural backgrounds together for a wonderful morning of hands-on community service, fun and fellowship. Families are encouraged to participate together on this day of community work, suitable for all ages. Event details.

8. Create Your Own Day of Service with AmeriCorps

Looking for a way to volunteer with your kids but haven't found the right fit? Visit AmeriCorps to learn more about how you can create your own event and encourage kids in your community to volunteer and be of service—because serving others has a profound positive benefit on those who volunteer. Need extra encouragement to kick off your day of service? Kids who volunteer are three times more likely to volunteer as adults, and steady volunteering (even one hour a week) reduces negative behaviors in kids. Event details.

 

 

Looking for some fun and stimulating things to do with the kids this spring? There’s a lot to explore at the city’s museums as we emerge from quasi-hibernation. We’ve rounded up our favorites here, including shows just for little ones, the return of The Orchid Show, works by Andy Warhol and an immersive, out-of-this world experience at one of NYC’s newest art spaces.

Wobbly World & Paw Patrol: Adventure Play at the Liberty Science Center 

Liberty Science Center

There's a new space for kids five and under that all of you are going to love. Wobbly World is a bright, inviting, slightly off-kilter wonderland,  where young children are invited to explore balance, motion, and cause and effect. Highlights include a giant Body Mobile: part carousel, part Calder-style mobile, and powered by play. As young guests hop on colorful seats and surfaces that dangle from the 14-foot-tall center column, they balance, spin, and bring the whole structure to life. The Balancescape, a fanciful landscape of hills and ledges helps kids explore balance and agility, and a whimsical collection of oversized blocks invite grabbing, sorting, stacking and more LSC collaborated with renowned toy designer Cas Holman on this new exhibition. 

Also on view: Paw Patrol, through May 1.

Tickets: $27.99/adults, $22.99/children 2-12 (these are advanced ticket prices, at the door is $2 more.)
Liberty Science Center
Liberty State Park
222 Jersey City Blvd. 
Jersey City, NJ
201- 200-1000
Online: lsc.org

The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope

NYBG/ Marlon Co

Needing a hit of floral beauty to fend off the winter blues? Head to the New York Botanic Garden to see the dazzling floral creations of Jeff Leatham, famed artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and floral designer to the stars. Marking the return of The Orchid Show for the 19th year Leatham's bold and colorful living installations and designs transform the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. See stunning orchid towers of orange, yellow, and green, undulating fields of white, and overhead plumes of purple, together with artistic embellishments and a kaleidoscopic tunnel of lights, will enthrall visitors.

Originally debuted in 2020, The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope was on track to be NYBG’s most popular Orchid Show yet. Now's your chance to catch it! 

February 26 -May 1
Tickets: $30/adults; $28/students & seniors; 2-12/$15, 2 and under/free
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
The New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd.
Bronx
718-817-8700
Online:  nybg.org

In America: An Anthology of Fashion

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's Costume Institute unveils part two of its show dedicated to American fashion, In America: An Anthology of Fashion in May. (Part one, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion remains on view through September 5.) The new exhibition will feature approximately 100 examples of men’s and women’s dress dating from the 19th to the mid-late 20th century. The garments will be presented in The Met's American Wing period rooms, or historical interiors, which encapsulate a curated survey of more than a century of American domestic life and reveal a variety of stories—from the personal to the political, the stylistic to the cultural, and the aesthetic to the ideological. 

As part of the show, eight film directors will create fictional cinematic vignettes, or “freeze frames,” within each room, imparting new perspectives on American fashion and highlighting the directors’ singular aesthetics. Directors participating include Martin Scorsese, Chloé Zhao, Regina King, Tom Ford and Sophia Coppola.

Opens May 2
1000 Fifth Ave. 
Upper East Side 
212-535-7710
Online: metmuseum.org

Tomás Saraceno: Particular Matter(s)

Nicholas Knight

We kind of doubt you've ever seen anything quite like this. Tomás Saraceno: Particular Matter(s) is described as "a large-scale exhibition and sensory experience with spiderwebs, air, and the cosmic web." Staged at the Hudson Yards art and gallery space The Shed, the exhibit features an expansive gallery exhibition as well as a newly commissioned sensory experience, Free the Air: How to hear the universe in a spider/web, a 95-foot-diameter installation in The Shed’s soaring McCourt space. You get to choose which part or parts of the exhibit you'd like to experience, with ticket prices adjusted accordingly. Note that you must be age 8 or older to experience Free the Air, and that it involves walking on a metal web—either 12- or 40-feet in the air, in low light with haze effects. Sound too much? You can get tickets for just the Gallery portion, but note that that can be very low light in places as well. This is the largest exhibition of Saraceno's work in the U.S. to date. Tickets are timed, released in batches, and must be booked in advance.

Feb. 11-April 17
Tickets: Gallery only: $12/adults; free/18 and under; Free the Air: $35/adults; $12/ages 8-18
545 W. 30th
Hudson Yards
718-941-1424
Online: theshed.org

Sharks at the American Museum of Natural History 

AMNH

See these creatures like you never have before: up close and personal.  (And really big!) Sharks features 30 life-size models that range from 33 feet to the size of the palm of your hand. Your kids will learn about their evolutionary history, anatomy, habitats, diets, and how to keep them safe for future generations to study and enjoy.

Through August 14, 2022

Tickets: (includes general admission plus one special exhibit) $28/adults, $16.50/children, $22.50/seniors & students, free/2 and under
American Museum of Natural History 
200 Central Park West
212-769-5100
Online: amnh.org

Wings Over Water at AMNH

Wings Over Water Crew

On the big (very big) screen at AMNH is Wings Over Water is a new giant-screen film epic that follows the journeys of three amazing bird families. See extraordinary footage of the fascinating behaviors of Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler, and the Mallard Duck as they defy all odds and soar across mountains, deserts, cities, and forests, heading home to raise their young. Award-winning actor Michael Keaton narrates the film. 

Tickets: (includes general admission plus one special exhibit) $28/adults, $16.50/children, $22.50/seniors & students, free/2 and under
American Museum of Natural History 
200 Central Park West
Upper West Side 
212-769-5100
Online: amnh.org

African/American: Making the Nation’s Table at Museum of Food and Drink

MOFAD

The Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) presents African/American: Making the Nation’s Table. Displayed within the newly-constructed home of partner The Africa Center at Aliko Dangote Hall, this first-of-its-kind exhibition celebrates the countless contributions of Black chefs, farmers, and food and drink producers who have laid the foundation for American food culture. Highlights include the Legacy Quilt, which depicts, a selection of hundreds of stories; those who wish can contribute their own stories via an online interactive component. Also on display is the Ebony Magazine Test Kitchen—saved from wreckage thanks to preservationists Landmarks Illinois and accessible to the public for the first time in history. Described by The Chicago Tribune as “the most distinctive test kitchen ever created,” it was the site where recipes from Ebony food editors created dishes such as oyster gumbo to sweet potato pudding. The multisensory experience features a soundtrack curated by musician, farmer and chef Kelis, and video interviews with former Ebony food editors.

Opens Feb. 23
Wed-Sun., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
1280 5th Ave. 
East Harlem
201-371-3550
Online: mofad.org

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

It's a great time to visit The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, as it's celebrating 40 years in 2022. February also brings Kids Week (Feb. 19-26), The Museum’s annual fun-filled festival of daily activities in which kids of all ages can explore space, science, technology and the arts.  Also in February: NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Helicopter models are on display in the Space Shuttle Pavilion.

Climb aboard this real aircraft carrier parked on the west side in Midtown and explore its interior, then check out the supersonic airliner Concorde, the space shuttle Enterprise, and Growler, the only American diesel-powered guided missile submarine open to the public. The Museum’s renowned collection also features 28 historic aircraft, such as a Lockheed A-12, the world’s fastest military jet and spy plane; a WWII-era Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber, and a soon to be unveiled Douglas F4D Skyray that flew off of Intrepid.

To get even more out of your visit, use the museum's Interactive Mobile Guide, which allows guests to scan QR codes on exhibits for more info. Entrance is by timed tickets—buy them here—and the museum is now open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tickets: $33/adults; $31/seniors, $24/ages 5-12
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Pier 86
West 46th St. & 12th Ave.
Midtown Manhattan
212-245-0072
Online: intrepidmuseum.org

The Happiness Experiment at the New York Hall of Science

NYSCi

This exhibit was open for just seven weeks before Hurricane Ida caused serious damage causing NYSCI to close. As of February 19 (after some major cleanup), the museum, and The Happiness Experiment is open again! The exhibit helps children (and grownups) learn how happiness is translated from the external world into their minds and out of their personalities through neuroscience. Visitors will learn good habits on maintaining happiness—and how to interact with others when feeling out of sorts. The show also stresses that happiness is just one emotion that we experience and that it’s ok to not be happy all of the time. What's important is to learn how to verbalize hurt, disappointment or sadness, while also respecting others.

Open Fri., 2-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun.,  10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tickets: $25/adult. $20/children
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th St., Queens
718-699-0005
Online: nysci.org

Andy Warhol: Revelation

This show presents Andy Warhol in a less familiar light than many are used to, looking at his Byzantine Catholic upbringing, and its profound impact on his life and work. From iconic portraits of celebrities to appropriated Renaissance masterpieces, Warhol played with styles and symbolism from Catholic art history, carefully reframing them within the context of Pop art and culture. Throughout his life, Warhol retained some of his Catholic rituals, while also unapologetically living as an out gay man. Among the more than 100 objects on view are rare source materials and newly discovered items that provide a fresh and intimate look at Warhol's creative process, as well as major paintings from his epic Last Supper series (1986), the experimental film The Chelsea Girls (1966). Advance ticket purchase required for timed entry. 

Closed Mon. & Tues. 
Through June 19
The Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Pkwy
Crown Heights 
718-638-5000
Online: brooklynmuseum.org

NYPL

The largest branch of the New York Public Library has opened a new and exciting permanent exhibit called, Treasures: The Polonsky Exhibit. Here you will find 250 pieces from historical artifacts to pop culture. Some of the items on display include thousands-year-old Iraqi cuneiform tablets, the stuffed animals owned by the real-life Christopher Robbin that inspired the children’s book, “Winnie the Pooh,”  the Declaration of Independence with John Hancock’s famous signature, and so much more. The collection is expansive and includes at least a few things that will blow the kids' (and your) mind! Bring headphones to listen to the Audio Guide!

*Tickets are free, but you must reserve a timed-entry ticket in advance. Masks are required. 

Permanent exhibit
Tickets: Free, registration required
NYPL: Stephen Schwartzman Building
476 Fifth Ave. 
Midtown
917-275-6975
Online: nypl.org

See It Before It Goes!

Greater New York at MoMA: PS1

PS1 is the contemporary art annex of the famous MoMA and lives inside a former elementary school. Navigating the staircase is sure to be familiar for children and adults alike. Greater New York, focuses specifically on the art history of New York City. Featuring 47 artists whose works reflect their community and what New York means to them, this exhibit reflects the city as it emerges from a shut-down which left institutions with a very uncertain future. With a range of mediums and bright colors, this exhibit is a treat for the eyes.
 
Through April 18, 2022
Closed Tues. & Wed.
22-25 Jackson Ave. 
Long Island City
Queens
718-784-2084
Online: moma.org

 

Puppets of New York at the Museum of the City of New York 

Asya Gorovits/MCNY

The puppets take Manhattan at the Museum of the City of New York's latest exhibit. This delightful show explores the history of puppetry in New York City which dates back to the 1800s, with a look at the different kinds of puppets, from sock to shadow to rod. Familiar favorites on view include Howdy Doody, Oscar the Grouch and Lambchop & Friends, as well as lesser-known characters like the giant head of salsa legend, Hector Lavoe and the John Cusack string puppet from Being John Malkovich.

On view through April 2022
Tickets: $20/adults, Free/20 and under
Museum of the City of New York 
1220 Fifth Ave.
East Harlem
212-534-1672
Online: mcny.org

A-MAZE-D at The Brooklyn Children's Museum

Brooklyn Children's Museum

This popular kids museum is currently open on weekends, select holidays, and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m., when entry is pay what you wish. (You still need to make a reservation.) Popular longstanding exhibits include World Brooklyn, Neighborhood Nature, Totally Tots, Collections Central and The Nest. Admission includes access to the ColorLab art studio, where families have the opportunity to explore printmaking, collage and sculpture projects inspired by artists such as Elizabeth Catlett, Richard Hunt, Faith Ringgold and Kehinde Wiley, among others. You must make a timed reservation for a three-hour visit. Do that here.

Visiting for a limited time is A-MAZE-D, a maze created from corrugated cardboard boxes that transforms the museum's second-floor Exhibit Gallery into a twisting and turning adventure made up of winding corridors and tunnels. It's a full-body experience for visitors of all ages, with special areas designated for the smallest visitors. A painted cityscape sets the backdrop for the built environment, with visitors seeing NYC landmarks at every turn. The exhibit is created in partnership with artist and puzzlemaker Dave Phillips.

Sat. & Sun. and select holidays.; Thursdays, 2-5 p.m., pay what you wish
Tickets: $13
145 Brooklyn Ave. 
Crown Heights
718-735-4400
Online: brooklynkids.org

Mandala Lab at the Rubin Museum

rubin museum chelsea
Rubin Museum

Unlike other museums, this exhibit is meant to turn the focus on the viewer. It guides visitors through meditative practices and encourages them to dig deep and get in touch with their emotions. The exhibit provides activities to teach one how to channel any negative feelings through positive outlets in order to encourage personal growth and wisdom. Mandalas are meant to provide a point of focus so one can free themselves of the thoughts of daily life. There are also meditation rooms and spiritual gongs partly submerged in water to help center the mind. Advance reservation is required. 

Tickets: $19/adults; $14/students; free/kids 12 and under, and Fridays, 6-10 p.m.
Closed, Mon.-Wed. 
150 W. 17th St. 
Chelsea
212-620-5000
Online: rubinmuseum.org

ONGOING

The Halls of Gems and Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History

D. Finnin/© AMNH

The American Museum of Natural History is a favorite of both kids and adults, and one of the museum's most popular and beloved spaces, the Hall of Gems has been completely redesigned and reinstalled, and is now the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals.

The 11,000-square-foot hall showcases one of the greatest collections of its kind. Dazzling gems on view include the legendary 563-carat Star of India sapphire, the 632-carat Patricia Emerald, and the 110-carat diamond Organdie necklace designed by Michelle Ong for Carnet. Plus new specimens including a pair of towering, sparkling amethyst geodes that are among the world’s largest on display, a slice of a 35-million-year-old metasequoia—a petrified dawn redwood from the Cascade Mountains—the 9-pound almandine Subway Garnet discovered under Manhattan’s 35th Street in 1885, and the Tarugo, a 3-foot-tall cranberry-colored elbaite tourmaline that is one of the largest intact mineral crystal clusters ever found. Wow! Maybe the best news of all? It's included in the General Admission price to the museum, and is on permanent view!

American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
Upper West Side
212-769-5100
Online: amnh.org

The New York Transit Museum

New York City Transit Museum

Set in an actual decommissioned train station with a functioning platform, you’ll see trains and turn-styles of bygone eras and unlike other museums, the NYTM encourages their young visitors to not only touch, but also to play. With several vintage train cars and buses, your child can get in the driver’s seat and be the conductor or choose to enjoy the ride through many decades!  

New York Transit Museum
Tickets: $10/adults, $5/children & seniors
99 Schermerhorn St.
718-694-1600
Online: nytransitmuseum.org

The Jim Henson Exhibition

The Muppets Studio LLC

This incredible retrospective of master puppeteer and creator Jim Henson at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens is open again after a long Covid-19 pause. (The Museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.)

Reserved-time tickets are on sale now. Get yours here!

Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave.
Astoria
718-777-6888
Online: movingimage.us

Children's Museum of Manhattan

CMOM

The Children's Museum of Manhattan is open with lots of safety precautions in place to keep everyone healthy, including routine sanitizing, temperature checks, reduced capacity, masks and social distancing. 

Visits to the museum are capped at two hours, and must be booked in advance. During that time, your family can explore all the exhibits at the museum, and take part in educator-led activities such as storytime, an art scavenger hunt, themed art projects and music and dance-time. 

The museum is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday. 

Tickets: $15/kids and adults; $12/seniors, free/infants and members  
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
212 W. 83rd St.
Upper West Side
212-721-1223
Online: www.cmom.org

The Museum of Ice Cream

Museum of Ice Cream NYC

Yes, the Museum of Ice Cream is open! An immersive walk-through experience dedicated to the sweet treat, the MOIC opened a permanent NYC flagship in December of 2019, but shut down in March. It's back, and COVID-19 precautions are in place, and include a new ventilation system, mask and glove requirements, deep cleanings at the beginning and end of every day, cleaning surfaces following any touching by visitors, capacity reduction, etc. You can read all safety measures here.

You must reserve tickets in advance, and the museum is open Thursday through Sunday now. 

The Museum of Ice Cream
558 Broadway
SoHo
Online: museumoficecream.com

Sloomoo Institute

Sloomoo Institute

If you missed your chance to visit this shrine to slime when it opened last year, you have another chance. It's slightly altered (people play with their own slimes, not a collective vat, as was done previously), and you get to take slime home. Expect artisanal, scented slime, interactive activities, a massive DIY slime bar, slime experiments, an immersive ASMR tunnel, a lake of slime to walk on, and more. Advanced tickets are timed, masks are required, staff is in masks and gloves, and capacity is reduced. Dress in your get messy clothes and prepare to open your wallet: it's $39 a ticket. A percentage of sales goes to mental health charities.  

Sloomoo Institute 
475 Broadway
Soho
1-888-718-4253
Online: sloomooinstitute.com

Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions

Created in Zagreb, Croatia (with additional outposts in Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, and beyond) the museum is both educational and a spot for fun photo ops. Visitors can explore more than 70 elements and experiences that include "illusionistic rooms", optical illusions, and puzzles. Every "piece" in the museum is accompanied by a clear and concise explanation of what is causing or creating the illusion; mathematical, biological, and psychological concepts are all touched upon, as are perception, vision, and how the human brain works. This museum is an outstanding (and very fun) way to engage kids with complex scientific principles, and help them understand through experience. The well-curated gift shop allows you to take home some of the brain-bending fun. 

Entry is by timed ticket, masks and temperature checks are required, the air filtration system has been upgraded you'll find hand sanitizer throughout the museum. Read more COVID-19 safety measures here. 

77 Eighth Ave.
Chelsea
212-645-3230
Online: newyork.museumofillusions.us

Museum of the Dog

AKC/David Woo

The American Kennel Club celebrates humans' best friend with its Museum of the Dog on Park Avenue. (Previously located in St. Louis, the museum is now housed in the same building as the AKC.) Expect fine art such as paintings and sculptures dedicated to dogs big and small, as well as tributes created using modern technology. Ticketing is by advanced reservation, and masks are required. The museum is closed Mondays.

Tickets: $15/adults; $5/kids 12 and under, $10/seniors 65 and older 
101 Park Ave. 
Upper East Side
212-696-8360
Online: museumofthedog.org

 

—Mimi O’Connor

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It’s summer in Seattle and you know what that means, parents. The return of outdoor movies! So kick back with the kids and grab your tub of popcorn, the shows are about to start. From movies in the park to those you can sail into, we’ve got all you need to know about Seattle’s free (and cheap) outdoor movies playing only this summer.

Seattle

courtesy of Seattle Center

Seattle Center Movies at the Mural 

The Space Needle serves as a backdrop for these moonlight movies on Fridays and Saturdays, starting July 31 through the month of August. Pack a picnic dinner or grab some chow at The Amory before settling in for the big show on a state-of-the-art 40-foot screen. As an added bonus, movies are preceded by short original films created by students at Cornish College of the Arts. Plus, this year Fridays will feature films in partnership with BIPOC and other minority-led organizations (think: LANGSTON, Indigenous Showcase and more).

Good to know: If the skies are unforgiving, be sure to call the rain hotline (206-684-7200) before you go. Information is updated after 2 p.m.

Cost: Free
Hours: Movies start around 9 p.m.

Seattle Center–Mural Amphitheatre
305 Harrison St.
Seattle, WA
206-684-7200
Event details

Bonnie Taylor @famdiego

Carpool Cinema

Load the kids into the family truckster for this August movie series. It’s four weeks of recent and old-school blockbusters you won’t want to miss (be sure to check out what’s playing, as some of the movies aren’t for kids). You’ll need a ticket to this one, and admission is pay-as-you-will. Then it’s as simple as finding a spot at 7:30 p.m. and keeping the kids entertained until the show starts at dusk.

Cost: Pay-as-you-will
Hours: The car line-up starts at 7:30 p.m. Movies start when the sun sets.

University Heights Place
6532 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
Event details

Drive-In Movie Nights

This fantastic drive-in series that pairs gourmet movie meals with your movie experience started back in May and has plans to run through September. It's all about family-friendly features enjoyed from the comfort of your car with a meal and movie food perks (like popcorn, licorice and other candy) for a whole package. For parents: there's a full bar available until the movie starts. Spacing is limited for this family-friendly event, so book your reservations early.

Cost: $15/person ($60 minimum/car)
Hours: It all starts at 7 p.m.

Stone House Cafe
9701 Rainier Ave. S.
Seattle, WA
Event details

Sean C. via yelp

Outdoor Movie Nights

Who else is excited that Peddler Brewing Company’s outdoor movie nights are back this year? As far as we’re concerned, Thursdays are going to be stellar, starting July 22, 2021, when the summer series kicks off. Movies take place rain or shine under Peddler’s oversized tent, and families are encouraged to come early to grab seats and their favorite beer before the shows start at 8:30 p.m.

Good to know: Families can bring camp chairs and cozy blankets to get comfy if they need to.

Cost: Free
Hours: Movies start at 8:30 p.m.

Peddler Brewing Company
1514 N.W. Leary Way
Seattle, WA 98107
360-362-0002
Event details

Eastside

Epic Events

BECU Drive-In Movies at Marymoor

Now in its 17th season, this popular park-turned-movie venue is a family favorite for a reason. While you’re waiting for the shows to start, be sure to grab from some of the best local food trucks, cupcake places and ice cream shops around. The park opens 90 minutes before movies begin (at dusk) and cars will be parked based on size (smaller in the front).

Good to know: Many July movies are already sold out, but you might be able to snag tickets to shows in later July.

Cost: $30/carload
Hours: Parking opens around 7:30 p.m. with movies starting around 9 p.m.

Marymoor Park
6046 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy. N.E.
Redmond, WA
360-733-2682
Online: epiceap.com/movies-at-marymoor

Vasa Park via Instagram

Vasa’s Drive-In Theater

Vasa Park’s popular movie series will keep on playing through the summer. So get ready to pop that back truck and let the kids hang out to watch their favorite family-friendly movies on the big screen. Expect fantastic family movies on Tuesdays, plus date-night movie options on select Fridays and Saturdays. You’ll need tickets for these shows and concessions will be available for purchase, so bring your appetites.

Cost: $25/carload
Hours: Gates open at 7:45 p.m. and movies start an hour later.

Vasa Park Resort
3560 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy. S.E.
Bellevue, WA
425-746-3260
Event details

Night at the Drive-In

Saint Edward State Park is the setting for this singleton outdoor blockbuster you won’t want to miss. The Goonies will be on the big screen and you and your little fans can watch from the safety of your car. Although the movie is free, registration (opening July 27) is required.

Cost: Free
Hours: Entry opens at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:35 p.m.

St. Edward State Park
14445 Juanita Dr. N.E.
Kenmore, WA
Event details 

Movie at the Park

Families can count on a kid-friendly movie in the great outdoors in North Bend in August. Although decisions are still being made, families can register now to save their spot. No matter where the event lands (Si View Park or Meadowbrook Farm), plan to bring your blankets and other movie must-haves, including snacks for your little movie buffs.

Cost: $10/family, suggested donation
Hours: The movie will start at 8:20 p.m.

North Bend, WA
Event details

Outdoor Movies at Beaver Lake Park

Bring the kids for two nights of outdoor movies in the park. The Sammamish Parks and Recreation Department will host the event at Beaver Lake Park. Movies are free but pre-registration is required.

Cost: Free
Hours: The show starts at 8:30 p.m.

Beaver Lake Park Ballfields
2526 244th Ave. S.E.
Sammamish, WA
Event details

South of Seattle

City of Poway

Dive-In Movies

Wild Waves Theme & Water Park is back and so is its Dive-In Movie series presented by Coca-Cola. It started July 1 and movies play every other Thursday. We love that families can watch these flicks while floating atop the waves or cuddled up under their towels on the sidelines. Plus this year, no more waiting until dark for the show to start. That’s right! The new LED screen means movies start at 5:30 p.m. Perfect for families with Littles in tow!

Cost: Included with admission or your season pass
Hours: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Wild Waves Theme & Water Park
36201 Enchanted Pkwy. S.
Federal Way, WA 98003
253-661-8000
Event details

Movies in the Park

If you love movies in the park, you'll want to bring the kids to this summer series where they can watch two familiar hits after the sun sets: one in July and one in August. Plan to bring all the field fixings for your outdoor viewing experience and then sit back and relax under the stars. Don't forget to pack those pj's!

Cost: Free
Hours: Movies start around 9:15 p.m.

Town Square Park
31600 Pete von Reichbauer Way S.
Federal Way, WA
Event details

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Drive-In Movies at LeMay

Watch these mega-fun movies from the comfort of your car or from a strategic spot on your blanket—it’s up to you. But one thing’s for sure, your kids will love these movies projected on a 40-foot screen. This is a first-come, first-serve event, so get there early to snag a great spot and do some tailgating while you're at it.

Cost: Free
Hours: Families can access the field to find parking and tailgate starting at 5 p.m. Movies go on at 9 p.m.

LeMay--America's Car Museum
Haub Family Field
2702 E. D St.
Tacoma, WA
Event details

Friday Night Flicks

If you live on the south side, take the kids to a local Auburn park for a Friday Night Flick. It’s blockbusters your kids will love projected onto a 50-foot screen. Whether the city ends up hosting them as drive-ins or on blankets in the parks is yet to be determined, as is the need for registration.

Cost: Free
Hours: Movies start around 9 p.m.

Various Auburn parks
Event details

Movie in the Park

Another singleton under-the-stars event. Families will love watching the antics of Tom and Jerry at this summer movie. It’s a real cat and mouse kind of show. Bring your blankets and prepare to get comfy!

Cost: Free
Hours: Plan to start watching at 10 p.m.

Riverton Heights Park
3011 S 148th St.
SeaTac, WA
Event details

North of Seattle

iStock

Sail-In Cinema

Set sail for Everett’s 6th annual summer movie series where you can watch by boat, by car or by foot. It’s the place to be north of the city on Friday nights through August 20. If you want to drive in, reservations are a must, while walking in is first-come, first-serve.

Cost: Free
Hours: Expect movies to start around 8:30 p.m.

Boxcar Park
Millwright Loop N
Everett, WA
Event details

Marysville Movies in the Park

Although this favorite that's a bit of a drive north of the city has changed its name, families still flock to the park to watch their favorite films on the big screen. You bring the popcorn and don't forget to save your spot by registering in advance.

Cost: Free
Hours: Movies start at dusk.

Jennings Park
6915 Armar Rd.
Marysville, WA
360-363-8400
Event details

Traditional Drive-In Theaters

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Blue Fox Drive-In

Make your movie night into a full-on adventure when you ferry over to Whidbey Island to go to the Blue Fox Drive-In. We love this spot because while you're waiting for the show to start there's plenty to do with the kids, including an arcade and go-karts. Be sure to check out their newest addition, the Backlot Tavern too before heading over to grab a bite at the snack bar (no outside food is allowed). 

Cost: $6.50/adult; $1/child (5-10); Free for kids 4 & under (Add $.50 per ticket if you're paying with a credit card)
Time: Gates open at 4 p.m.; movies begin at dusk.

1403 Monroe Landing Rd.
Oak Harbor, WA
360-675-5667
Online: bluefoxdrivein.com

Rodeo Drive-In

Head south to this classic drive-in for a change of scenery. It’s a spot where families can enjoy blockbuster double features on the big screen in a vintage venue. Take it all in from the comfort of your car, or pack chairs and socially distance next to your vehicle so you can gaze up at the stars. Food is available for purchase at the snack bar.

Cost: $10/person, $7/kids (5-12) and seniors; free for kids 5 & under.
Time: Gates open at 8 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. and at 8:30 p.m., Sun.-Tues.; movies begin at dusk.

7369 WA-3
Bremerton, WA
360-698-6030
Online: rodeodrivein.com

General Rules & Suggestions

While you'll want to double-check each venue for its own set of rules, it's good to keep these general rules in mind:

1. All movies begin at dusk (unless otherwise noted), although gates open much earlier. Crowds tend to get situated very early for outdoor movies, so the earlier you can arrive, the better.

2. Please remember to check COVID guidelines for each event venue, and plan to bring your essentials, like masks and hand sanitizer.

3. Outside food and beverages are usually permitted (no glass containers), but it doesn’t hurt to double-check. Some venues will have alcohol available on site, but no outside alcohol is allowed.

4. Many events offer movie-friendly snacks on the cheap, but it doesn’t hurt to pack some juice boxes and other goodies—just in case they run out before you get there.

5. Bring your low-back lawn chairs, inflatable couches and blankets to keep comfy and warm. 

6. Unless otherwise noted, assume that your pooch needs to stay home.

7. Not every movie is “family-friendly,” so please check to see what’s playing before packing your kids up for a movie night.

—Allison Sutcliffe, Jeffrey Totey & Kristina Moy

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