Press Release  DCR Announces Return of Annual Free Summer Movie Series to Parks Across the State

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced the return of its annual Free Family Flicks series, bringing free movie screenings to select state and local parks on Tuesdays through Sundays during the months of July and August. Free Family Flicks is part of DCR’s ongoing commitment to provide free and accessible programming for Massachusetts families and residents. 

“DCR’s Free Family Flicks is a great summer tradition in our parks,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “It’s free, it’s welcoming, and it brings people together in a simple, joyful way — families, kids, neighbors, everyone is invited. There’s something special about gathering at sunset in a state park and watching a movie under the open sky — the kind of magic you get at a drive-in, right here in our parks. It’s a reminder that our public spaces are for everyone, and that summer in Massachusetts should feel accessible, affordable and fun.”  

This year’s movie lineup kicks off with Hamilton on Friday, July 10 on the Esplanade, followed by A Minecraft Movie, Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch (live-action), How to Train your Dragon (live-action), The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and Superman. Screenings are open to the public and will be closed captioned. To ensure optimal viewing conditions, all films will begin at sundown. 

Movies will be shown at DCR properties and select municipal parks starting Friday, July 10 at: 

• The Hatch Memorial Shell at the Charles River Reservation in Boston (Fridays, July 10 – August 28) 
• Salisbury Beach State Reservation in Salisbury (Saturdays, July 18 – August 1) 
• Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park in Somerville (Saturdays, August 8 – August 22) 
• Breakheart Reservation in Saugus (Tuesdays, July 21 – August 4) 
• Red Rock Park in Lynn Shore Reservation (Tuesdays, August 11 – August 25) 
• Castle Island in Boston (Wednesdays, July 22 – August 26) 
• City Square Park in Charlestown (Thursdays, July 22 – August 6) 
• Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area in Milton (Thursdays, August 13 – August 27) 

To accommodate the screenings on Friday nights, July 10 to August 21, at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, DCR will close the right lane along Storrow Drive from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site.   

For a full list of which films are screening at each location, as well as the days they are screening, visit the DCR Free Family Flicks webpage.

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