Entry No. 29 — the Missoula file — filed under: after-dark
Missoula Outdoor Cinema
A volunteer-run, community-organized walk-up film series put on by Front Step CLT, screening movies after dark on a big inflatable screen in different Missoula neighborhood parks and schoolyards. The 2026 run lands across four August nights, with films starting at dusk and the lineup partly chosen by public vote. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs and settle into a grassy lot as the sky goes dark.
The story
You don't get a marquee or plush velvet seats here; you get a patch of lawn, an inflatable screen swaying in the evening breeze, and a neighborhood park in Missoula that usually goes quiet at nightfall. Started over two decades ago—celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2024—the cinema was created by the North Missoula Community Development Corporation (now operating as Front Step Community Land Trust) to convert grass lots and schoolyards into open-air theaters.
The goal is simple and deliberately grassroots: bring free entertainment directly into residential pockets like the Northside and Franklin to the Fort, foster neighborhood ties, and support local community land trust housing efforts. The film lineup is partly decided by public vote, resulting in screening nights that range from '90s classics like Clueless to family animated features, all projected under the open valley sky.
What it's like
Arrive at least twenty minutes before dusk—around 8:30 to 9:00 PM in August—to snag a good spot on the turf with a blanket or low lawn chairs. The atmosphere is an informal, blanket-to-blanket block party: kids playing near the park perimeters, neighbors catching up, and volunteer tables selling simple concessions to raise funds for Front Step CLT. Because venues shift between places like Headstart Park, Franklin School, and Lowell School, verify the night's exact location online before heading out, and bring an extra layer—Montana summer nights chill down rapidly as soon as the sun drops behind the ridge.
The move: Pick an August screening night, spread a blanket on the grass before dusk, and watch a crowd-voted movie under the open Missoula sky with concessions on hand.
📍 Before you go Seasonal: 2026 dates are August 7, 14, 21 and 22 at rotating venues, films at dusk (~8:30-9 pm). Bring chairs/blankets; confirm the night's location and any suggested donation before heading out.
- 📍 Missoula (rotating neighborhoods)
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Rotating Missoula parks and schoolyards (e.g., Headstart Park, Franklin School, Lowell School, Lifelong Learning Center)
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Silver Park Sculpture Park — Wander past outdoor sculptures on a former riverfront lumber mill site before heading to the park for sunset and movie projection.
- Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) — Pair the grass-lot community film series with a daytime visit to Missoula's nonprofit community art space and print shop.
- The Squashed Cat (Cattin' Around) — Take a quick detour to check out a 1.5-ton flattened concrete cat sculpture downtown before finding a spot on the park grass.
- The Wilma Theatre — Compare Missoula's walk-up inflatable grass-lot movie nights with the city's grandest historic 1921 theater.
Good to know
When are the screenings held?
The cinema operates on select August nights (in 2026: August 7, 14, 21, and 22), with movies starting at dusk, typically around 8:30 to 9:00 PM.
Where does the cinema pop up?
Locations rotate across Missoula parks and school grounds, including Headstart Park, Franklin School, Lowell School, and the Lifelong Learning Center.
Is there an admission fee?
Screenings are free and open to the public, though cash donations are encouraged to help fund Front Step Community Land Trust's local community work.
How are the movies chosen?
The screening lineup is partly determined by an open community vote hosted by Front Step CLT ahead of the season.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: frontstepclt.org · kyssfm.com · kpax.com · Official site
last checked: 2026-06-24