The weather is starting the brighten up as spring begins and summer is just around the corner. With better weather (hopefully) on the horizon, so too are more outdoor events to make the most of the sun and the lighter evenings.
This year, a number of open air cinemas are set to screen some fantastic films for a range of tastes at picturesque spots around Wales. From scenic lakeside screenings to historic castle grounds, you'll be able to catch both classic films and some more recent movies at outdoor cinemas all across the country.
With picnics, hot food, and drinks on offer at many of these events, they're set to provide a relaxing cinema experience for all tastes. We've rounded up some of the best outdoor cinema events across the country happening this year.
Cardiff Castle
Luna Cinema is bringing a range of old and new films to the beautiful castle grounds later this year. Set in the heart of the Welsh capital, you'll be able to catch West Side Story on Friday, September 2 at 8pm, followed by Grease on September 3 and Rocketman on September 4 , also both showing at 8pm.
Doors open at 6.30pm for visitors, and you're welcome to bring a picnic from home - however, you won't be able to bring you're own alcohol. Instead, the Luna Bar will be open for business to purchase alcohol on the premises. Popcorn, sweets and hot sweet and savoury food will also be on offer. Tickets start from £17 and you can find out more information and book here.
Caldicot Castle
Another historical venue, Caldicot Castle will be welcoming Adventure Cinema to its historical grounds for a weekend in May. West Side Story will be shown at 9.15pm on Friday, May 6 , while a Grease Sing-a-Long takes place at the same time on Saturday, May 7 .
The weekend of screenings will finish with Gladiator on Sunday, May 8. Gates will open to the venue at 7.45pm each day before showings and picnics are welcome. Find out more here.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
For three nights, the award-winning arts centre will be showing Encanto, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Mamma Mia! At the heart of Aberystwyth University campus, the venue is minutes away from the beautiful Cardigan Bay.
The three films will be shown across three nights in August, starting with Encanto at 8.30pm on Tuesday, August 23 , followed by the Rocky Horror Picture Show at 8.45pm on Wednesday, August 24 and Mamma Mia! at 8.45pm on Thursday, August 25 . Picnics at the venue are welcome, although alcohol must be purchased on site at the bar. Hot food and snacks will also be available. Find our more here.
Bute Park
Adventure Cinema will be bringing a whole host of classic and new films to Bute Park this July. Situated on the 146-acre Coopers Field, you'll be able to enjoy a range of films both in the day and the evening with a picnic and drinks from the on-site bar.
On Friday, July 29 you can catch Encanto at 2pm and Mamma Mia! at 8pm, while West Side Story is showing at 2pm on Saturday, July 30 , followed by Pulp Fiction at 8pm the same day. Finishing off the weekend of films is Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Rocketman, being shown at 2pm and 8pm respectively on Sunday, July 31. Find out more here.
Wrexham
Adventure Cinema is also coming to Wrexham's Chirk Castle in September, showing three films across a weekend at the Grade-1 listed fortress. You can see Mamma Mia! on Friday, September 9 followed by Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on Saturday, September 10 and Pretty Woman on Sunday, September 11. Find out more here.
The outdoor cinema event will also be coming to Wrexham's Erddig Hall in May, showing West Side Story on Friday, May 6 followed by Moulin Rouge on Saturday, May 7 and, finally, Rocketman on Sunday, May 8 . Click here for more information.
Cosmeston Lakes
For three nights in June, the picturesque Cosmeston Lakes in Penarth will host screenings of Grease, Pretty Woman, and Bohemian Rhapsody. You'll be able to enjoy a Grease sing-a-long on Friday, June 17 at 9.55pm, followed by a screening of Pretty Woman on Saturday, June 18 at the same time.
The weekend of showings will finish with Bohemian Rhapsody at 9.55pm on Sunday, June 19. Picnics are welcome at the venue which is set in the 100-hectare haven for wildlife. You can book tickets and find out more here.
Dyffryn Gardens
Set within the beautiful collection of botanical gardens, you'll be able to enjoy the new West Side Story, Mamma Mia! and the classic The Princess Bride at Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan. Showing across three evenings in August, Adventure Cinema will screen West Side Story on Friday, August 26 , followed by Mamma Mia! on Saturday, August 27 , and The Princess Bridge on Sunday, August 28 .
All the films will be shown at 8.45pm and picnics are welcome at the venue. Screenings are set to take place on the lawn in front of the mansion, providing a scenic setting while you enjoy the films. Find out more information and book your tickets here.
Llancaiach Fawr
Returning to Treharris for another year, Adventure Cinema is also screenings films at the Tudor manor house very soon. With screenings set to take place close to the manor, you'll be able to see West Side Story on Friday, April 29 , Mamma Mia! on Saturday, April 30 , and finally Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on Sunday, May 1 .
Picnics are welcome for the outdoor screenings, however, ploughman's boxes are also available to pre-order and there will be a cash-only bar on-site to purchase drinks. Find out more about the event here.
Margam Country Park
Get ready for some outdoor screenings of your favourite films outside the scenic Margam Castle in May. West Side Story will be showing on Friday, May 27 , followed by Mamma Mia! on Saturday, May 28 , and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on Sunday, May 29 . All films are set to be shown at 9.45pm across the three days.
Hot food and snacks will be available to purchase on-site and a bar will be open for drinks. Picnics will also be welcome if you want to bring your own food from home. You can find out more about the event here.
Powis Castle
You'll be able to enjoy some great films on the grounds of the beautiful Powis Castle this September. For three nights, you'll be able to watch films in the picturesque venue. Mamma Mia! will be shown on Friday, September 2 , The Greatest Showman - a sing-a-long - will be shown on Saturday, September 3 , and West Side Story will be shown on Sunday, September 4 .
All the films will be shown at 8.30pm, and snacks and drinks from an on-site bar will be available to enjoy while you kick back and enjoy the film. Find out more here.
Singleton Park
Five films are set to be shown in the 250 acre park this summer. Across three days, you'll be able to catch films both in the day and at night, with something for everyone. Starting on Friday, July 15 with Dirty Dancing at 8pm, West Side Story and a Grease sing-a-long will be shown the following day on Saturday, July 16 at 2pm and 8pm respectively.
Finishing the weekend of outdoor screenings on Sunday, July 17 is Encanto at 1pm and Jurassic Park at 6pm. Picnics are welcome at the venue, but alcohol must be purchased on site. Find out more about the event here.
Stadiwm Zip World
With screenings set to be held in the middle of the stadium this summer, you'll be able to enjoy three nights of films. The Greatest Showman sing-a-long will be shown on Friday, July 29 , followed by Bohemian Rhapsody on Saturday, July 30 and a Grease sing-a-long on Sunday, July 31 .
All films are set to be shown at 9.45pm across the three days, with an on-site bar and hot food and snacks available to keep you going throughout the film. Find out more here.
Tredegar House
A weekend full of fun films is set to come to the Newport venue for June. Kick back in the grounds of the mansion to see Sister Act on Friday, June 10 , Mamma Mia! on Saturday, June 11 , and The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Sunday, June 12 . All film screenings will take place at 9.55pm and picnics are welcome. Find out more here.
United Counties Showground
For two nights in June, you'll be able to catch West Side Story and Mamma Mia! at the huge 52-acre site in Carmarthen. West Side Story will be shown at 9.55pm on Friday, June 3 while Mamma Mia! will be screened on Saturday, June 4 at the same time. Picnics are welcome and you can find out more here.
Cardigan Castle
The castle will be screening three films in August in collaboration with nearby Theatr Mwldan. Grease will be shown on Friday, August 5 at 8.45pm, before Rocketman will then be screened on Saturday, August 13, and West Side Story a just over a fortnight later on August 28.
