Watch your favourite films on the big screen with Kent’s outdoor cinema season

by Sam Lawrie

slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

Those warm, light summer nights are slowly creeping up on us, and it won’t be long before we’re sitting outside soaking up the sun until the late hours.

It’s the perfect time of year for outdoor cinema, which is returning to several spots in the county this summer. There’s family favourites, comedy classics, fast-paced thrillers and sing-along musicals, all coming to open-air big screens over the next couple of months. Here’s where you can find them…

It’s outdoor cinema season, bringing classic blockbusters to the open-air big screen. Picture: Adventure Cinema

CENTRAL PARK, Dartford

The park in the heart of Dartford’s town centre will be transformed into an open-air cinema for a handful of nights during the summer. The council-run event is only open to local residents, but there’s a decent selection of films on show, with a particular focus on family favourites such as Despicable Me 4 and Inside Out 2. You’ll need to sign up to Dartford Borough Council’s email bulletins or follow them on social media to know when tickets come out, but it only costs £2 to attend and all films start at 8pm, with gates open from 7pm.

Details: August 13, 14, 21, 27 and 28 at Central Park in Dartford. Find out more here.

Adventure Cinema will be back at Cobham Hall for three days in August. Picture: Adventure Cinema

COBHAM HALL, Gravesend

Touring outdoor cinema company Adventure Cinema are back this year, visiting more than 55 venues across the country over the summer months. For their stint in Kent, the big screen will be set up inside the grounds of Gravesend’s country house, Cobham Hall, for three days. It starts with ‘80s romance Dirty Dancing, followed by a double bill of Freddie Mercury and co. with a Queen concert and biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. The final day will begin with a morning showing of children’s animations The Gruffalo and Stick Man, followed by an Andrea Bocelli concert in the afternoon and a screening of hit musical Wicked that night.

Details: Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17 at Cobham Hall in Gravesend. Book online here.

CURZON OPEN AIR, Canterbury

Curzon Riverside’s open-air cinema returns this year, boasting a huge programme of films. There are favourites like Wicked, Grease, Mamma Mia and the Greatest Showman, but also some classics that don’t often get shown on the outdoor big screen, such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blazing Saddles, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, When Harry Met Sally and Rear Window. Tickets are £5 each, including free popcorn for the kids, and you can choose from either a bean bag or a deck chair to sit and watch the film.

Details: Select dates from Tuesday, May 17 to Monday, August 11 at Curzon Riverside in Canterbury. Book online here.

Folkestone Harbour will be putting on a series of free outdoor film screenings to celebrate its 10th anniversary Picture: Folkestone Harbour

FOLKESTONE HARBOUR ARM

Folkestone’s Harbour Arm is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer. To mark the occasion, the team are putting on a string of free events for visitors, including a series of outdoor cinema screenings. There will be family films, such as Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, Bend it Like Beckham and Cruella, as well as a handful of movies for grown-ups, including Napoleon Dynamite, the Great Gatsby, the Devil Wears Prada and more. The screen will also be showing England matches during the Women’s Euros.

Details: Select dates from Friday, May 30 to Friday, September 12 at Folkestone Harbour Arm. Find out more here.

LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone

It’s one of Kent’s biggest tourist attractions, so it’s no surprise that Leeds Castle has a pretty busy summer season lined up. This year, that includes three outdoor films on the big screen, with two sing-along specials. Fans of the Greatest Showman and Grease can belt out songs from the films, while the final event will see everyone’s favourite singleton, Bridget Jones, embark on her first romantic adventure in 2001’s Bridget Jones's Diary.

Details: Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20 at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone. Book online here.

Cosy up under a blanket and watch your favourite films as the sun sets. Picture: Adventure Cinema

THE OVAL BANDSTAND, near Margate

Cliftonville’s summer cinema event begins with ‘80s horror the Lost Boys. It then continues throughout June, July, August and September with more hits from the decade, such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Top Gun, as well as modern blockbusters including Rocketman, Wicked and Elvis. The bar will be open serving alcoholic and soft drinks, and there will also be a food stall selling popcorn and hot snacks.

Details: Friday, June 6 to Friday, September 12 at the Oval Bandstand and Lawns in Cliftonville, near Margate. Book online.