Columbia Pike Drive-In Movie Nights

See You at the Drive-In!

Saturday Nights in July & August, 2020

Pull up to the new Columbia Pike Drive-In Movie Nights at the Arlington Career Center for some FREE retro-style family fun! Movies are rated G through PG-13. Not all films may be suitable for young children.

All movies start at sunset (between 8 and 8:30 pm) and are shown in English with Spanish subtitles. Space is limited and new protocols are in place to keep everyone safe. Registration is required and details will be sent in our weekly newsletter. If you’re not subscribed, sign up today!

Movies
Register
Safety
FAQ
Sponsors

A signature initiative of

This FREE program is made possible by our generous sponsors and donors.

DONATE

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Help us keep the Columbia Pike Movie Nights FREE and safe by sponsoring a movie for as little as $250.
Contact Program Director Stephen Gregory Smith for more information.

Drive-In Movies

Our 10th year of free outdoor movies is brought to you by… you! This election year, we gave the power to the people and you chose our summer Movie Nights line-up. See if your choices made the final list!

Jurassic Park

July 11, 2020 @ 8:30 pm EDT

The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees

July 18, 2020 @ 8:30 pm EDT

Twister

Twister

July 25, 2020 @ 8:30 pm EDT

Crazy Rich Asians

August 1, 2020 @ 8:30 pm EDT

Apollo 13

August 8, 2020 @ 8:00 pm EDT

Ready Player One

Ready Player One

August 15, 2020 @ 8:00 pm EDT

Coco

August 22, 2020 @ 8:00 pm EDT

Mary Poppins Returns

Mary Poppins Returns

August 29, 2020 @ 8:00 pm EDT

Register & Attend

Register

Space is limited and registration is required to attend the Columbia Pike Drive-In Movie Nights. A link to register will be sent in our weekly newsletter (Thursday at 10 am) prior to that week’s movie night.  Subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first to receive the link.

Review the Safety Protocols

If we all do our part, everyone can enjoy a safe and fun evening! Review the Safety Protocols below as you plan for your visit.

Check the Arrival Map

Review the entrance map and plan your route to make arrival smooth and easy! The only entrance to Drive-in Movie Nights at the Arlington Career Center will be on S. Walter Reed Drive, and left turns for entry will not be allowed. Map your route to approach the entrance from the Southbound side of S. Walter Reed Drive, as shown in the map’s example, so you can turn right into the lot.  816 S Walter Reed Dr, Arlington, VA 22204. 

Entrance Map

Click or tap to enlarge.

Entrance Map

Click or tap to enlarge.

Safety Protocols

To ensure we can continue to provide our FREE outdoor movies safely, all patrons should adhere to the following protocols:

  1. Prior registration is required to attend the Columbia Pike Drive-In Movie Nights
  2. Public restrooms are NOT available. Please plan accordingly.
  3. Attendees should remain in their vehicles — or designated space for walk-up patrons — at all times.
  4. If you are in a vehicle and need assistance or need to leave during the movie, turn on your hazard lights and a volunteer will assist you.
  5. Outside food and drink is permitted.
  6. Alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited on public school property.
  7. Face masks/coverings should be worn as you arrive and exit. They may be removed during the movie.

Staff reserves the right to ask patrons to leave if they violate these protocols or in any way create an unsafe environment for our volunteers or guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! We have both parking spaces and grassy areas designated for “walk-up” parties. During registration, you will need to select “Walk-Up” as your ticket type to ensure we have enough spaces designated. You will be asked to remain within your designated area during the movie just ask those who drive are asked to remain within their vehicles.

The movie’s audio will be broadcast over an FM radio station. Attendees should bring a portable radio to avoid idling their vehicles during the entire movie. The audio will be in English with subtitles shown in Spanish.

No. You should only register once per vehicle or walk-up group. However, you will be asked to indicate how many people are in your group during registration to assist us with a total head count for each event.

Yes. If your trunk door/hatch being open will not cause obstruction to those who may be parked behind you, you are welcome to sit in the trunk or a truck bed. Our volunteers will ask you to indicate if you’d like to face forward or backward when parking. This will allow them to park you on the proper side of the aisle to avoid your needing to back your vehicle into a space. We ask that you wait until your aisle has been filled and/or there are not attendees or volunteers within 10 feet of you to exit your vehicle to get comfortable in the trunk or bed.

During registration we will ask you to indicate what type of vehicle you will be driving. Our staff and volunteers will be directing each vehicle to the appropriate space as best as we can to ensure larger vehicles are further back than smaller vehicles. We will also be arranging vehicles in a checkerboard pattern to ensure no vehicle as another vehicle in the spaces directly in front of, or beside, them. This will help with visibility and distancing for safety.

We will begin allowing vehicles to enter the lot approximately 1 hour prior to the start of each movie.

Yes, you can. We encourage those with smaller vehicles to arrive early to secure the front most spaces. Once you are parked, you may walk to one of the Pike’s amazing nearby restaurants (including Sicilian Pizza, Caspi Restaurant & Lounge, Tortas y Tacos La Chiquita, Boru Ramen, Bangkok 54, Rebellion on the Pike and Lost Dog Cafe) to pick up food and use the restroom before the movie begins. We do, however, ask that you return before the movie begins and not walk around the lot during the movie.

Vehicles are allowed to idle in Virginia and we understand that some patrons may find they need their air conditioning or radio during the movie, however, we strongly encourage attendees to turn off their vehicles once they are parked. You may have your windows down for fresh air and we encourage you to bring a portable radio so as not to rely on your vehicle. You will be required to turn off your vehicle’s lights.

Drive-In Movie Nights Underwriters

Drive-In Movie Nights Sponsors