If you are visiting London in summer, you might be wondering how to best make the most of the (hopefully) nice weather and long light evenings. One unique thing to do in the evenings in London (or even in the day in some cases), is to visit an outdoor cinema. Because nothing says summer like sitting outside, enjoying a small picnic of supermarket snacks and watching one of your favourite family-friendly films. Luckily, London offers a variety of open air cinemas to choose from, which are guaranteed to please. Read on for our guide to the best outdoor cinemas in London for kids.
What to know about visiting an open air cinema in London
Visiting an open air cinema with kids isn’t as simple as visiting a regular cinema. There is lots more that you should be preparing for to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time.
The first thing to note is that, unlike traditional cinemas, seating is often not provided. So, this means that you’ll need to bring something to sit on. Check the rules of the cinema you are going to, but usually you are not allowed to bring chairs and instead have to sit on the ground. This means either bringing a picnic blanket or being prepared to sit on the grass. If you’re travelling, consider a travel picnic blanket that packs down small (for example, this one (affiliate)).
Arriving early is crucial, especially at popular free screenings, as the best viewing spots fill up quickly and you’ll want to secure a space where children can see the screen clearly without obstruction. Additionally, pack snacks and drinks (where permitted) as refreshment options may be limited and bring entertainment for children during any pre-screening wait times.
Be aware that as open air cinemas usually pop up in public spaces, toilet facilities may be more limited and may require a longer walk than those in a conventional cinema. Therefore it’s even more important than it would otherwise be to take your children for bathroom breaks before the film begins.
Make sure that you check the weather before you go as you will be exposed to the elements. For day screenings, make sure you pack sun hats and lather on the suncream. For evening screenings, pack layers of warm clothing, even on warm summer evenings as temperatures can drop significantly as the evening goes on and after the sun sets.
Paid vs free screenings
London’s outdoor cinema scene offers both free and paid options, each with distinct advantages and trade-offs that visitors should consider when planning their movie night under the stars.
Free screenings provide an accessible way to enjoy cinema without cost, but come with the uncertainty of securing a good viewing spot since these popular events operate on a first-come, first-served basis, often requiring early arrival. Free screenings tend to be more accepting of you bringing your own food and drink.
Paid venues guarantee your spot with pre-booked tickets and typically offer enhanced experiences with comfortable deckchairs, premium food and drink options, and curated programming, but this convenience comes at a price.
Both free and paid outdoor cinemas share the fundamental gamble with British weather – even paid venues rarely offer refunds for rain or poor conditions, meaning you could find yourself watching a film in drizzle or abandoning your evening entirely if heavy rain rolls in. This weather uncertainty means that regardless of whether you’ve paid for your ticket or claimed a free spot, you’re ultimately at the mercy of the elements, making flexible clothing and a positive attitude essential for any London outdoor cinema experience.
The best outdoor cinemas in London for children
Everyman Screen on the Canal
Location: Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross
Nearest tube station: King’s Cross St Pancras
Tickets: Free
Times: Screenings from 12pm with final slot at 7:30pm
Dates: Throughout July and most of August
Probably the best outdoor cinema for families, Everyman Screen on the Canal is run by the Everyman cinema chain.
Each summer a big screen is set up at Granary Square in King’s Cross, just across the canal from the green canal-side steps, which form the perfect open air cinema seating area.
Films show up to four times a day and they show an extensive range of family-friendly films in all time slots. Films for 2025 include Harry Potter, Wicked, Moana and Paddington in Peru. During Wimbledon season they also broadcast the matches.
Located just a stone’s throw from Coal Drops Yard, you have easy access to lots of food options and public toilets.
Merchant Square
- Location: Paddington
- Nearest tube station: Paddington and Edgware Road
- Tickets: Free
- Times: Wednesday nights at 6pm
- Dates: Wednesday 16th July – Wednesday 24th September 2025
The Merchant Square outdoor screen provides a charming waterside cinema experience in the heart of Paddington, where visitors can enjoy free outdoor film screenings on the banks of the canal at Merchant Square. Located just moments from Paddington Station, this peaceful canalside setting turns into an open-air movie theatre during the summer months.
The programming focuses on family favourites and blockbusters, making it an ideal destination for all ages, although here tweens are particularly well catered to. Films being shown in summer 2025 include Dirty Dancing, Mamma Mia, The Princess Diaries, Moana 2, and Wonka.
Canary Wharf Film Club
Location: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf
Nearest tube station: Canary Wharf DLR
Tickets: Free
Times: Various times depending on the day
Dates: June, July, August & September
The Canary Wharf Film Club transforms Canada Square Park in Canary Wharf into a free outdoor cinema experience throughout the summer months of June, July, August, and September.
While Tuesday and Sunday evening screenings cater to teenagers and adults, its popular Saturday morning family films, provide the perfect weekend kickstart for parents and children alike. The relaxed, picnic-style atmosphere encourages families to bring blankets and refreshments. Handily, Waitrose is located directly across the road for cinema snacks, public toilets are also nearby.
Films are screened with subtitles for accessibility.
Rooftop Film Club
Locations: Bussey Building in Peckham and Roof East in Stratford
Nearest tube stations: Peckham Rye (for the Peckham venue) and Stratford (for the Stratford venue)
Ticket Prices: From £8 for children and £14 for adults
Times: Various times depending on the day
Dates: June – August
Rooftop Film Club hosts outdoor cinema screenings on rooftops in Peckham & Stratford – the rooftop of the Bussey Building, just two minutes walk from Peckham Rye station and Roof East in Stratford.
Films are watched from deckchairs (rather than you needing to bring a blanket and sit on the floor) and the audio is transmitted over headphones, meaning you won’t miss a word.
Times when children can attend are limited though – under 18s are welcome at the Stratford venue before 5pm, and Peckham venue before 7pm – after that, it’s strictly adults-only. Rooftop Film Club recommend that you only bring children aged 5 and up as they use one-size-fits-all headphones. Also – do check the film rating before purchasing a ticket for your child.
Note that no outside food or drinks are allowed, but they do offer the opportunity to buy food and drink from their vendors.
Scoop More London
Location: The southern bank of the river Thames near Tower Bridge
Nearest tube station: London Bridge
Tickets: Free
Times: Various times depending on the day
Dates: June and July
Located in Southwark next to the old City Hall building, right near Tower Bridge on the South side of the Thames, the Scoop at More London provides seating for approximately 800 people. This purpose-built outdoor amphitheatre transforms into a riverside cinema and performance space during the summer months as part of their Summer by the River programme.
Screenings can be very popular so it is advised that you arrive early to secure your space. Do think about bringing something soft to sit on as although the amphitheatre provides built-in seating, it’s paved so you could end up with a very numb bum by the end of a film!
Barbican
Location: Barbican’s Sculpture Court
Nearest tube station: Barbican
Tickets: £10 for under 18s, £18 for adults (plus £1.50 booking fee)
Times: 20.30
Dates: Late August
The Barbican’s Outdoor Cinema transforms the atmospheric Sculpture Court into an open-air theatre during the summer months.
Located on level 3 just outside the Art Gallery, this unique venue provides a memorable way to enjoy films under the stars with your children, though parents should come prepared for a quintessentially British evening out.
In line with the Barbican being an arts venue, the films shown lean towards the more adult or artsy, but the programme usually includes a number of films that are suitable for families.
Seating is on padded seats and sound is transmitted by wireless headphones.
With food and drink available on-site (only purchased beverages are permitted), accessible facilities, and the atmospheric backdrop of the Barbican’s iconic architecture in the heart of the City of London, this is a setting that combines London’s cultural heritage with family entertainment.
Have you been to an outdoor screening in London? Let us know your favourite in the comments.
