Looking to get out of the house? (We know you are.) One great option: Hop in the car and head to a drive-in.
2020 brings a number of fun, retro drive-in experiences to Greater Philadelphia for residents and visitors to check out (some, surely, for the first time ever).
There are, of course, drive-in movies, both in Philly (Reels on Wheel at FringeArts) and in the countryside (Cinema Pop-Ups at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center).
But there are also big-name live concerts and comedy shows (Live-In Drive-In outside Citizens Bank Park) as well as more intimate live performances (Drive-In Concert Series at People’s Light in Malvern).
And how about a combo of movies, concerts, comedy, trivia and more, spread over multiple nights at Philly’s Navy Yard (The Parking Lot Social)?
Across the board, these experiences are set to provide a safe environment for guests with necessary precautions in place, including mask requirements, social-distancing rules and more. Check ahead to learn about safety protocols, and note, too, that tickets need to be purchased in advance in most instances.
Grab your family or some close friends and make it a special night socializing in a different way at one of these cool drive-in experiences in Greater Philadelphia (some of which have already been extended, so don’t wait!).
July 22 – August 2, 2020 (select dates)
The Marine Parade Grounds at South Philly’s Navy Yard transforms into party central for two weeks at the end of July when The Parking Lot Social rolls through Philly on its national tour. Different nights offer different experiences for event-goers to enjoy from their cars, including stand-up comedy, film screenings (like Pulp Fiction, Dirty Dancing and Grease), live music, bingo and more. Note that tickets must be purchased online, masks must be worn when attendees are not in their cars and social-distancing protocols are in effect.
Where: Marine Parade Grounds at The Navy Yard, South Broad Street and Intrepid Ave
July 22 – August 5, 2020 (Wednesdays only)
FringeArts puts a fun twist on its free outdoor movie-screening series with its new Reels on Wheels programming. Here’s how it works: Folks RSVP online, then park at the Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia – Penn’s Landing, located next to FringeArts, on Wednesday evenings. Guests stay in their cars, tune in to the audio via their radio, and watch a film projected onto the side of the FringeArts building. Movies on deck: Beasts of the Southern Wild (July 29, 2020) and The Hate U Give (August 5, 2020).
Where: FringeArts, 140 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Through Friday, August 21, 2020 (select dates)
Miss live music? People’s Light in Malvern welcomes guests for a series of socially distant outdoor concerts on weekend nights in the organization’s parking lot. Guests can enjoy the shows from both their car, as well as “home space,” where they set up chairs and tables. Find the concert schedule and more info on safety precautions on People’s Light’s official site.
Where: People's Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern
July 22 – September 13, 2020 (select dates)
Cinema Pop-Ups has teamed up with The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks to bring the classic drive-in-movie experience to Montgomery County this July and August. Screenings in the coming weeks include Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Space Jam, Creed, Gremlins, new-for-2020 film Palm Springs and more.
Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks
August 7 – October 24, 2020 (select dates)
August brings both drive-in movies (Shrek, Footloose) and live concerts (Split Decision, Shot of Southern) to a handful of locations in Bucks County, courtesy of Mid Atlantic Event Group. For concerts, vehicle day passes include a space next to your car for socially distant tailgating.
Where: Various locations, including Memorial Park, 1950 Woodside Road, Newtown
August 14 – November 1, 2020 (select dates)
The Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) brings new films, cult classics and more to The Navy Yard this summer and fall during The PFS Drive-In at The Navy Yard. As part of the series, PFS and ReelBlack partner on Force in Focus: the Black Experience on Film, offering free screenings on select Monday evenings of films that explore “the world through the lens of the Black experience.” Note that all tickets must be purchased in advance. The series culminates with the Philadelphia Film Festival, scheduled for October 22 to November 1, 2020.
Where: The Navy Yard, 4747 South Broad Street
August 16 – September 7, 2020 (select dates)
Live entertainment returns to the South Philly sports complex this August and September with the new Live-In Drive-In programming. Presented by Live Nation Philadelphia and sponsored by Visit Philadelphia, the event brings live concerts (The Front Bottoms, Dark Star Orchestra) and comedy (Bert Kreischer, Labor Day Comedy Jam) to the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park for attendees to enjoy from the comfort of their cars. Safety protocols include mask requirements, social distancing and more.
Where: Parking lot at Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way
August 21 – September 25, 2020 (select dates)
Free drive-in movies (with RSVP)? Yes, please. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation heads up The Philly Drive-In, screening free films that guests can enjoy from the comfort of their cars outside The Mann Center in West Fairmount Park. The series kicks off with three films (August 21-23) as part of the BlackStar Film Festival, the world’s premier celebration of Black, Brown, and Indigenous film and video artists. Other films over the following weeks include Jurassic Park, Trolls, School of Rock, The Lion King (2019) and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Remember to reserve our tickets online!
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
How to do Philly your own way — and at your own pace...