Crowds sitting on picnic blankets at an outdoor cinema at sunset.

The best pop-up and outdoor cinemas in Melbourne

Pop-up cinema season is back! Check out these yearly events and brand new blockbuster experiences.

People sitting on the grass watching a movie in the gardens at sunset.

Moonlight Cinema

3 Dec – 5 Apr

Melbourne's beloved movies in the gardens are back. Pack a picnic and head to the Royal Botanic Gardens this summer to enjoy new releases and old flicks under the stars. See Wicked: For Good, the Bruce Springsteen biopic and more blockbuster films. Or catch a Christmas classic like Elf, Home Alone or Love Actually.

Capitol Cinema with red and orange lighting, seated audience in front of large screen with signage.

Christmas Cinema

6 – 21 Dec

Melbourne’s favourite movie theatre The Capitol is turning on the Christmas cheer for the festive season. Grab the popcorn and a choc top and nestle in for a series of feel-good movies. From ’90s classics like Home Alone and The Santa Clause to animated gems like Arthur Christmas, these screenings are bound to get you in the holiday spirit. And the best part is tickets are just $5 for kids and $8 for adults.

A still from the film 'It's a Wonderful Life' on the big screen at Fed Square, with people sitting in deck chairs in the main square watching it.

Christmas Outdoor Cinema: Naughty or Nice

8 – 11 Dec

Can't get enough Christmas movies? Fed Square is also hosting a pop-up festive cinema. And it's entirely free! Head down from 6pm each night to catch the kid-friendly 'nice' program. Think family flicks like The Grinch and It's a Wonderful Life. Or come back after dark for 'naughty' cult-classics from 8pm. There's Gremlins, The Holiday and more.