Summer Movies in the Parks hosted by the Chicago Park District

Bueller? Bueller!
We were so fortunate that in the nearby park… came Bueller! Movies in the neighborhood park is a fantastic way not only to mix /​mingle /​meet your neighbors but also to truly take in a flick!
The main lawn at Bartleme was transformed into a an outdoor theatre. Like a drive-​in but even better if you ask me. No exhaust fumes but there was still the heavy petting — dogs of all shapes and sizes came to the show and enjoyed it as much as their human counterparts. Why wouldn’t they?! Tons of food! Food both brought by movie-​goers and also for sale *cupcakes to benefit a local cause* and free! popcorn!
That was my best photo angle of the night if you ask me — a shot of the whole park, a classic scene from Bueller and the Sears (Sears!) in the background… while waiting in line for free popcorn.
The usual advice:
* we didn’t even get there terribly early and still had a fine view: scope your local park
* bring food, drink and bug spray! (we were so fortunate: no spray & no bugs!)
* respect your neighbors (everyone around us & in general was AWESOME!)
* The local library has a printed schedule of movies at all parks and some other events

Movies in the Parks is one of my favorite summer activities. Plus, there’s no admission fee. Sweet!
When the movie was hosted in Grant Park, I would go weekly and truly enjoyed it. I had doubts about having the movie in various ‘hoods. I was wrong. Having the movies in various neighborhoods is much better. Instead of buying the food and beverages downtown, I will be able to support the mylocal shops and take out restaurants.
Just go early to pick your spot since it does get somewhat crowded — not like at Grant Park. You are able to bring your favorite take out dinner, movie snacks including beverages. Just remember, alcohol is not permitted in the park. Having stated that, if you have a big back pack or purse and it just happens to have your favorite adult beverage in it… it will be fine.
Just like Grant Park, the scenery is incredible. The skyline is on one side of the park and the breeze from Lake Michigan is on the other side.
Since the showing was at the part at Belmont and Sheridan Road, I was able to walk over there. Within 10 minutes after the movie, I was home.
I will be attending more of these movies in the nearby neighborhoods.

My favorite summertime activity in Chicago!
The only park we ever went to watch movies in was Oz Park because it was within walking distance of our place. Honestly, those were some of the best summertime evenings. We would plan for these special movie nights by preparing a big batch of Sangria, and packing some great picnic food for dinner. Then we would head down to the park with our cooler, blankets and the dogs.
Once there, you just need to pick a spot where you can see the screen and plop your stuff down among your Chicagoans for a night of free entertainment.
The movies aren’t first run. But who cares. Rear Window in the park is better than any first run movie anywhere else in the world.
Some people bring their kids. Some people bring their dogs. Some people come in large groups of friends. But all come happy and carefree. And the evening is always a positive experience. It is a must do if you want to experience Chicago like a native.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these!!! I especially like it when they offer movies in dog-​friendly parks. This is one of the top 2 reasons I want so badly for winter to be over (second only to beach volleyball).

Here are some things to note:
1) FREE
2) FREE
3) FREE
4) FREE
5) FREE
Get the picture??? It is FREE! So, I ask you what is there not to love? I know it is crowded, people can be asses (especially with their chairs), there are children running everywhere, mosquitoes are a bitch, the weather can be unpredictable, and you can have a sense of no control… BUT, it is Free, FUN, and Family friendly (you know you babysit your nieces & nephews sometimes – this is great thing to do), you can have a picnic, and you get to enjoy a movie in the outdoors.
Now, you know there are going to be nuisances… uh hello, it is put on by the park district which equals crowds. If this not something you are into… DON’T GO… cause your craptastic attitude ruins it for others. You kind of have to take this with a grain of salt… with the good comes some bad.
This is great group activity… grab some friends, some food, some libations (now the alcoholic stuff is taboo, but peopled do it), and blanket & have some fun. What I love most about this is it provides opportunities for families to do this together without costing them an arm & leg. It always puts a huge smile on my face to see all the families enjoying this together.
Another huge benefit is that I get to see movies (free) that I would not have paid for, or see some movies I love again. Another added bonus this past summer was that I got to do it as part of «Unitypalooza» a weekend long celebration of my birthday… HUZZAH!

One of my favorite things to do in the summer in Chicago. Just go!!!

last summer, after seeing a sign posted for it, a group of friends and i spontaneously went to skinner park and saw ‘bee movie’. it wasn’t too crowded, popcorn was handed out, and we brought blankets and wine. it turned into one of those summer events that i’ll never forget!
only reason for not having more stars is that 99% of the time, movies are playing in parks that are miles away (10 and over) from home, and the kids were kinda crazy. not to be old and farty, but seriously if your kid spills something on me one more time…

Crazy busy, but crazy fun! Went with a group of people to see Psycho. We got pretty good seats because i was there staking out our territory at 6:15. That’s over 2 hours before the movie started and it was already swamped.
The picture and sound quality were really great — the volume was loud and I didn’t hear LSD traffic even though we were sitting right next to it.
And it’s free! They say no booze, but they don’t enforce it — everyone was drinking wine. Doesn’t get much better than this for a Chicago weekday :-)

Movies in the park are a lot of fun. Don’t forget to pack picnic.

What a great little thing for the city to do. On Tuesday, myself and a group of friends headed over to Grant Park after work to see «Duck Soup». Despite the threat of rain, the park seemed fairly full as people sat around eating, playing cards, and having a grand time whilst waiting for the film to start. Oh! And we were all part of a World Record attempt. They passed out Groucho Marx glasses to everyone there to break the record for most people in a single place wearing Groucho glasses. There was even a dude walking around playing Groucho.
It was a nice, relaxing way to spend an evening with some friends.

Movies in the Park at Grant Park is a great summer thing to do in Chicago! Even if you’ve never heard of the movie playing, it’s much more about being outdoors with friends and watching a movie in the middle of the city.
It’s always fun to meet up a few hours early, bring food to share and hang out with friends. It’s also a great after work outing for co-​workers. Make sure to send someone to grab a spot between 5 and 6pm if you plan to have more than five people. You can easily lay down blankets or tarps (or even random personal items) to mark your spot if your whole party isn’t there. They say no alcohol on the premises but that doesn’t seem to be enforced and also doesn’t seem to be a problem. Don’t forget bug spray!
One complaint that I have isn’t about the movie set up or venue but about other movie-​goers. If you’re going to smoke, please smoke outside of the tightly condensed field filled with people. I’m rarely annoyed by smoke (even in Wisconsin’s smokey bars) but was having a hard time watching the movie as the groups around us were literally smoking throughout the whole movie. It was very annoying and I can only imagine how awful it was for people who are more sensitive to smoke! So if you smoke, please step to the sidewalk or grassy areas outside of the movie-​viewing field. Ok, done complaining.

Really, why did I wait so long to do this?
Came to watch Grease last night with friends. I didn’t expect it to be as crowded as it was but we had friends come a bit earlier and they were lucky enough to snag a great spot to the side by the trees. We had a great view and plenty of space. It was a beautiful breezy night and who doesn’t have random memories of Grease, made for a lovely Tuesday evening.
Bring along a blanket, some snacks and a bottle of wine and you’re good to go =)

Another thing that I love to do in the summer. Yes it’s summer, it’s hot, there’s bugs, but those are things you should try to prepare for. I have good and bad experiences at movies in the park but nothing serious enough to keep me from going. Really it all depends on what park you go to and what kind of movie. If it’s a kid’s movie, be prepared for it to be loud with plenty of people standing up, so bring a chair and get a good spot.
What else could be better then watching a movie outside, under the heavens… and airplanes. Ha.

Ok, twice I have tried to participate in this treasured Chicago past time and time after time I am extremely disappointed!
I understand the appeal, but the bugs, the heat, the annoying people!!!
The people that come are the reason for the one star… I wish there was some regualtory help for these events, nut no! You rude ass people take chairs, tables, and the GD fridge and then park your ass right in front row where no one can see over your head!
So if you want to stair at big butts and bad hair instead of great film, go ahead and attend.

Favorite: seeing everyone dance while still sitting with legs crossed to the Ghostbusters theme music. Why don’t movies have theme songs anymore? Batdance, anyone?
Grab a picnic basket, a blanket, and a bottle of wine and you’re set for the evening. If you forget the wine, the park district should have snacks, like Tang (!!!) or popcorn. I would normally see almost any movie if it’s free, including Ghostbusters. Thankfully, the movie was just as fun as I remember it being from when I was a kid and had all of the Ghostbusters toys and drank Ecto-​Cooler.
I went to Churchill Park in Bucktown, one of Chicago’s smaller parks, but there was still room to make a picnic area with friends just 15 minutes before the movie’s start time, but I can imagine that some of the parks get crowded.