Where To Watch Free Movies In The Parks This Summer, & More
By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on May 5, 2017 10:19PM
Image from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
It's that time of year again. The weather is beautiful, and there’s nothing we want to do more than stare at a screen—as long as it’s outside, of course. The Mayor's Office and the Chicago Park District just took the wraps off its annual Night Out in the Parks programming. It’s another chockablock roll call of free outdoor events, including theatre, music, dance, family fun and—of course—the much-loved Movies in the Park. New this time around: the Chicago River Float, "a floating museum art barge" that will stop at various points along the river, unveiling on August 7.
It’s an intimidatingly large (in a good way) slate of options. Night Out is so all-encompassing that you really probably should grab the free, sortable My Chi Parks app to help navigate. We just grabbed it, and it’s a nicely designed, duly functional little helper.
“Night Out in the Park brings world-class culture, entertainment and art to every neighborhood park across Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel in a release. “From returning programs like Movies in the Parks and Theater on the Lake, to new events like the Chicago River Float, our parks are bringing vibrant and diverse activity to every neighborhood.”
No offense to the other disciplines, but the preferred bloc of programming remains the bountiful Movies in the Park (June 12 - September 9). Once again, it's a reliable, if at times, predictable collection of family fare, contemporary hits, a few classics and even some relatively left-of-the-center cult-ish items.
A few that caught our eye, scrolling the list.
I Am Not Your Negro
Aug. 10 - Lawn behind DuSable Museum (740 E. 56th Pl.)
Young Frankenstein
June 2 - Berger Park (6205 N. Sheridan Rd.)
Raising Arizona
June 29 - Wicker Park (1425 N. Damen Ave.)
Umbrellas of Cherbourg
June 21 - Kathy Osterman Beach (north of Bryn Mawr Ave., east of Lake Shore Drive.)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
June 20 - Ward (Aaron Montgomery) Park (630 N. Kingsbury St.)
WALL-E
Aug 25 - Jonquil Park (1001 W. Wrightwood Ave.)
There are dozens and dozens more where those came from, too—including a very promising-looking series underwritten by the International Latino Cultural Center. You'll also get more chances yet to catch La La Land and Hidden Figures on the big screen, if you've somehow still straggled there. Aside from the app, you can scroll through here, as well. All movies start at dusk, and are weather permitting. You can call 312.742.1134 for daily listings and to check weather-related cancelations.