We love to give our kids fun experiences that don’t require us to check our bank account first, and we suspect that’s true for you, too. To help you out, we compile this list of FREE and really cheap movies you and your family can enjoy each month in Tampa Bay. Check back periodically because we’ll add to this list throughout the month as new events are discovered.
Plus! Find out what this month’s AMC Theater Sensory-friendly Film will be.
Here’s what’s you and the kids can look forward to in April:
~~~ FREE MOVIES ~~~
Sunsets at Pier 60 Sunset Theatre
Time: Movies begin at dusk
Date: Every Friday and Saturday nights (and some Sundays), weather permitting
Location: Pier 60
Cost: FREE; Popcorn and soft drinks are available for sale
Info: (727) 449-1036; Sunsets at Pier 60 Calendar
What’s Doing?
Sunsets at Pier 60 is a daily FREE family festival that includes artisans and crafters, street performers, musical entertainment and, of course, a beautiful sunset every night! Every Friday and Saturday night (and even a couple Sundays), you can also enjoy a FREE film screening. Bring a blanket or low chair, and watch a movie on the jumbo screen. Here’s what you’ll be seeing on the big screen:
— Friday, May 3: Rise of the Guardians (PG)
— Saturday, May 4: The Lucky One (PG-13)
— Friday, May 10: Spy Kids (PG)
— Saturday, May 11: Pride and Prejudice (PG)
— Friday, May 17: Annie (PG, 1983)
— Saturday, May 18: Jurassic Park (PG-13)
— Friday, May 24: The Lorax (PG)
— Saturday, May 25: The Guilt Trip (PG-13)
— Sunday, May 26: Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (PG)
Address:
Sunsets at Pier 60
10 Pier 60 Drive
Clearwater, FL 33767
Image courtesy of IMDB.com
********************************************************************
*** This series is on hiatus until Fall 2013. ***
Movies in the Park
Time: The Movies will start at Sundown
Date: This event will resume in October 2013 and run through December 2013)
Location: West Park Village (Montague St. Park)
Cost: FREE
Info: Westchase Community Association 2013 Movie Nights Schedule
What’s Doing?
Westchase’s FREE family movies in the park will continue this fall, from October through December 2013.
Address:
West Park Village (Montague St. Park)
10116 Montague Street
Tampa, FL 33626
********************************************************************
Movies in the Park
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Date: Friday, May 3, 2013 & Friday, May 10, 2013
Location: Largo Central Park
Cost: FREE admission; On-site parking available; Concessions will be available for purchase (NOTE: No alcohol will be permitted)
Info: (727) 586-7415; City of Largo Movies in the Park Web Page
What’s Doing?
Bring the whole family — and load up the blankets and chairs — for a movie on the big screen. Themed activities will take place at 7 p.m, with the movie to follow at dusk. Here’s what will be playing:
— May 3: Wreck-it Ralph (PG)
— May 10: Mirror Mirror (PG)
Address:
Largo Central Park
101 Central Park Drive
Largo, FL 33771
Image: IMDB.com
**********************************************************************
*** This series is on hiatus until Fall 2013. ***
Spring & Fall Free For All
Time: N/A
Date: This series will resume in Fall 2013
Location: Sims Park
Cost: The movie is FREE; $5 bracelet offers unlimited bouncing at Wilbur’s Fun Zone; Snacks and drinks available for purchase
Info: (727) 967-6726; New Port Richey Cultural Affairs Website
What’s Doing?
The City of New Port Richey’s Cultural Affairs Committee hosts the Spring & Fall Free For All, which feature a FREE family movie outside in the park. This series is held for six months each year — three months in the spring, and three months in the fall. This series of FREE family movies will resume in the fall of 2013.
Address:
Sims Park
6341 Bank Street
New Port Richey, FL 34652
********************************************************************
Firefighters’ Movies In The Park
Time: Dusk
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2013
Location: England Brothers Park
Cost: FREE to see the movie; Food and drinks available for purchase
Info: (727) 687-4494; Website
What’s Doing?
Pinellas Park Firefighters’ hosts this FREE outdoor family movie event, which raises money for their Benevolent Fund by selling hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as candy, popcorn, nachos and drinks. The Benevolent Fund helps victims and families in the community throughout the holidays.
Address:
England Brothers Bandshell Park
5010 81st Avenue North
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
********************************************************************
*** This series is on hiatus until Fall 2013. ***
Chick-fil-A Movie Night Series
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Date: This series will resume in September 2013
Location: Chick-fil-A at North Dale Mabry (parking lot)
Cost: Admission is FREE, you pay only for your food (All children must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.)
Info: (813) 908-0787
What’s Doing?
This family outdoor movie event will resume in September 2013.
Address:
Chick-fil-A at North Dale Mabry
15801 North Dale Mabry Highway
Carrollwood, FL 33618
********************************************************************
********************************************************************
~~~ NOT Free, But Notable ~~~
Okay, now this family movie series isn’t free, and it isn’t really cheap either, but they have a nice line-up of movies and the location can’t be beat, so I wanted to let you all know about it.
Tampa Theatre Family Movie Series
Time: 2 p.m.
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2013; Sunday, May 12, 2013 & Sunday, May 19, 2013
Location: Tampa Theatre
Cost: $9/adult, $7/child and Tampa Theatre members (Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online, but if you purchase them online, a $2 convenience fee will be added to your ticket purchase)
Info: 24-hour event information line: (813) 274-8981; Tampa Theatre Family Movie Series Web Page
What’s Doing?
Bring the kids to the historic Tampa Theatre for a one-of-a-kind movie experience! Built in 1926, the Theatre is one of America’s most elaborate “movie palaces,” where audiences are transported to a lavish Mediterranean courtyard under a nighttime sky. Arrive early for pre-show entertainment as The Mighty Wurlitzer fills the theatre with its magnificent sound.
Here’s the movie schedule for April:
— May 5: The Muppet Movie (1979, G)
— May 12: The Neverending Story (PG)
— May 19: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (PG)
Balcony-to-Backstage Tours
Tour the Tampa Theatre and learn about its fascinating history. The 90-minute tours begin at 11:30 a.m. and include a performance on The Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Admission is $5/adult, $2/child age 2-12, and FREE for Theatre Members and little ones under 2. Here’s the upcoming tour schedule:
— Thursday, May 9
— Saturday, May 25
— Tuesday, June 11
— Saturday, June 22 (Tour Begins at 11 a.m.)
Address:
Tampa Theatre
711 Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Image courtesy of the Tampa Theatre
********************************************************************
********************************************************************
~~~ SENSORY-FRIENDLY MOVIE ~~~
AMC Sensory-Friendly Films
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: The next AMC Sensory-friendly Film will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2013
Location: Participating AMC Theaters
Cost: Regular ticket prices apply
Info: AMC Theaters Sensory-Friendly Films Website
What’s Doing?
AMC Theaters, in partnership with The Autism Society, offer AMC Sensory-Friendly Films to families affected by autism. Come watch in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down, and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing.
(NOTE: Dates and films are subject to change.)
Coming up:
— June 1: EPIC 2-D (NR)
— June 29: Monsters University
— July 13: Despicable Me 2
— August 10: The Smurfs 2
— October 5: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
— November 5: TBD
— November 27: Frozen 2-D
Address:
AMC The Regency 20
2496 West Brandon Boulevard
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 685-3396
AMC Veterans Expressway 24
9302 Anderson Road
Tampa, FL 33634
(813) 243-4881
AMC Woodlands Square 20
3128 Tampa Road
Oldsmar, FL 34677
(727) 771-6643
AMC Tri-City 8
5140 East Bay Drive
Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 531-5796
Image courtesy of IMDB.com
********************************************************************
********************************************************************
~~~ Drive-in Theaters ~~~
Drive-ins not only offer nostalgia, they also offer movies at a discount. Help support these historic theaters by sharing this unique experience with your children. Check the sites below to see what family-friendly movies are playing this week.
Ruskin Family Drive-In Website
5011 US Highway 41 North
Ruskin, FL 33572
— $6/person, $1/child (age 5-8), FREE for children 4 years old and younger with their own parents (CASH ONLY; admission includes BOTH movies); Food and drinks available for purchase at the concession stand
Fun-Lan Drive-In Website
2302 East Hillsborough Ave?nue
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 234-2311
— $7/adult (age 12+), $2/child (age 5-11); Food and drinks available for purchase at the snack bar
Joy-Lan Drive-In Website
On US Highway 301 near Jordan Road
North of Dade City, FL 33523
(352) 567-5085
— $4/adult, $1/child (age 4-9); Food and drinks available for purchase at the snack bar; FREE parking
*****************************************************************
*****************************************************************
~~~ Coming This Summer 2013 ~~~
Flicks ‘N Fins Family Night
Time: Festivities begin at 7 p.m.; Movie will start at sundown (usually around 8:45 p.m.)
Date: See schedule below
Location: Holland G. Mangum Recreation Complex
Cost: Regular Pool Admission applies
Info: (727) 391-8345; City of Seminole, FL May-August 2013 Programs (PDF)
What’s Doing?
Grab your floats and join Seminole Aquatics for some cool summer nights! Food, music and games will begin at 7 p.m., with the movie to follow at sun down (usually around 8:45 p.m.). Here’s the movie schedule:
— June 14: The Amazing Spiderman (PG-13)
— July 12: A Dolphin Tale (PG)
— August 9: Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (PG)
Address:
Holland G. Mangum Recreation Complex
9100 113th Street North
Seminole, FL 33772
Image courtesy of IMDB.com http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0948470/?ref_=sr_1
********************************************************************
2013 Regal Summer Movie Express
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Tuesdays & Wednesdays for 9 weeks, beginning June 11, 2013
Location: Participating Regal Theaters
Cost: Admission is $1/person (A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Will Rogers Institute)
Info: Regal Summer Movie Express Web Page
What’s Doing?
Each summer Regal Theaters offers $1 movies for children and their parents or caregivers to enjoy. Each week will feature two different kid-friendly, family movies. Here’s what will be playing this summer:
— Week 1: The Three Stooges (PG) & Ice Age: Continental Drift (PG)
— Week 2: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (PG) & Parental Guidance (PG)
— Week 3: Mr. Poppers’ Penguins (PG) & Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (G)
— Week 4: Monte Carlo (PG) & Rio (G)
— Week 5: Coraline (PG) & ParaNorman (PG)
— Week 6: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG) & Big Miracle (PG)
— Week 7: Yogi Bear (PG) & Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
— Week 8: Racing Stripes (PG) & Happy Feet Too (PG)
— Week 9: African Cats (G) & Chimpanzee (G)
Address:
Find a Regal Theater near you.
********************************************************************
Muvico Theaters FREE Summer Film Fest 2013
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from June 11, 2013 through August 15, 2013
Location: All Muvico Theater locations
Cost: FREE admission; Kids Tray is just $3.75 ($0.50 of every Kids Tray purchase will benefit the Will Rogers Institute)
Info: Muvico FREE Summer Film Fest Web Page
What’s Doing?
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning, from June 11-August 15, you and the kids can enjoy a FREE family movie at all Muvico Theater locations. Here’s what will be playing this summer:
— June 11, 12 & 13: Despicable Me (PG)
— June 18, 19 & 20: Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (PG)
— June 25, 26 & 27: Rise of the Guardians (PG)
— July 2, 3 & 4: The Smurfs (PG)
— July 9, 10 & 11: Hotel Transylvania (PG)
— July 16, 17 & 18: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG)
— July 23, 24 & 25: Clifford’s Really Big Movie (G)
— July 30, 31 & August 1: Happy Feet Too (PG)
— August 6, 7 & 8: How to Train Your Dragon (PG)
— August 13, 14 & 15: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (PG)
Address:
Find a Muvico Theater near you.
********************************************************************
********************************************************************
RELATED LINKS:
1. Check the WDTB Calendar for more kid-friendly, family events taking place around the Tampa Bay area.
2. FREE — and Cheap — Crafts for Kids: May 2013
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Dunedin Movies in the Park
Movies in the Park
Spring & Fall Free For All
AMC Sensory-Friendly Films
Dunedin Movies in the Park
Movies in the Park
Spring & Fall Free For All
*** NOTE: This will be the last movie night until September 2013. ***
AMC Sensory-Friendly Films
Movies in the Park
Spring & Fall Free For All
Chick-fil-A Movie Night Series
AMC Sensory-Friendly Films
Time: 5:30-10:30 p.m.
Chick-fil-A Movie Night Series
Family Movie Series at the Capitol Theatre
AMC Sensory-Friendly Films
Local arts organizations — The Florida Orchestra, American Stage Theatre Company, The Dali Museum, The Mahaffey Theater, The Studio@620, Sunscreen Film Festival, St. Petersburg College School of Music, & the USF School of Music — will collaborate to present a Shakespeare Festival celebrating William Shakespeare’s wide-reaching influence across the arts. “Arguably, no artist has done more to inspire the creation of art across all genres than Shakespeare,” said Florida Orchestra Board Chairman Thomas Farquhar. “We are excited to partner with fellow arts organizations in the Tampa Bay area to offer the community a multi-faceted, month-long celebration of The Bard of Avon. ”
The Dali Museum Family Day
Family Holiday Movies
