When the summer heat finally begins to cool down after sunset and the hot asphalt is replaced by a gentle evening breeze, there is no better plan than sitting outside in the fresh air. Open-air cinema is not just a simple movie screening, but a true, authentic, and nuanced summer community experience. Blankets, cozy bean bags, popcorn, a refreshing drink, and a giant screen under the starry sky: this is the perfect recipe for an excellent summer evening.

In Romania, in recent years, open-air cinemas and film festivals have become a true culture. This summer, major urban centers turn into real open-air cinematic stages, welcoming movie enthusiasts with captivating programs and an unmatched summer atmosphere. We have gathered some of the most iconic locations where you can enjoy unforgettable cinematic experiences under the open sky.

Cluj-Napoca: Movie Nights in Iulius Park

The already traditional Movie Nights event returns this year to the lakeside park next to Iulius Mall. It has become one of the most popular programs in Cluj-Napoca. Although the screenings have already started, increasingly captivating films await you every Friday evening until the beginning of September. The proposed schedule covers a wide range of cinematic preferences for all generations. The audience can enjoy everything from children's cartoons to dynamic thrillers and timeless love stories.

The following productions are running on the screen in Iulius Parc this summer (screenings start at 21:30):

• July 10 – Nuremberg

• July 17 – Lilo & Stitch

• July 24 – Sinners

• July 31 – Wuthering Heights

• August 7 – A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

• August 21 – Materialists

• August 28 – F1: The Movie

• September 4 – The Notebook

Admission to the Movie Nights screenings in Cluj-Napoca is completely free, so all you have to do is grab your friends, a comfortable blanket, and find a spot on the green grass.

(Source: Actual de Cluj)

Timișoara: Cine-picnic at the Ceau, Cinema! Festival

If besides movies you also love the festival vibe, then in mid-July (between July 15 and 19) you must be in Timișoara, where the 13th edition of the Ceau, Cinema! Festival will fill the city with life.

Ceau, Cinema! is a complex cultural event that pays special attention to Romanian and European cinematography, multiculturalism, as well as creative collaborations between local and international creators. The series of events awaits visitors with a total of 150 film screenings and numerous related programs – including workshops, exhibitions, and meetings with the audience – in four different neighborhoods of Timișoara.

The film festival is gearing up this year with fantastic art films restored in 4K quality and special open-air screenings. Three great heritage films will be screened at Cinema Timiș. Marking 30 years since its premiere, Ceau, Cinema! presents "Pusher" (1996), the furious debut of Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn. Moviegoers will also be able to see the Spanish erotic thriller "Matador" (1986) by Pedro Almodóvar, four decades after its release. The classics section also includes "Peeping Tom" (1960), the British cult film directed by Michael Powell.

(Source: Eventbook)

"Dolce far niente" will be presented in an open-air screening with free admission in Regina Maria Park, which replaces the traditional Traian Square this year while it undergoes modernization. Regina Maria Park will also host screenings of recent European productions accessible to the general public. Among the reference titles is "The Crime on the 3rd Floor" (Le crime du 3e étage, 2026), a comedy thriller signed by French director Rémi Bezançon, starring Gilles Lellouche and Laetitia Casta. Another attraction in the program is the Danish black comedy "The Last Viking" (2025), directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, which brings an exceptional cast to the poster, including Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas.

(Source: Ceau, Cinema)

Eforie Sud: Cultural Oasis in the Cinemascop Garden

On July 4, the Cinemascop Garden in Eforie Sud opened its doors, launching the sixth season of the Eforie Colorat cultural festival. This year's edition, the 6th, is built around the theme "Connections", celebrating the bonds formed between locals, tourists, artists, and the city. The cultural program this summer is scheduled to run until August 23. The project brings together prestigious collaborators from the Romanian cultural scene, uniting renowned organizations such as the One World Romania platform, the Cărturești bookstore chain, and the Civic Cult community. Thursdays are dedicated exclusively to children, featuring creative workshops and a Lego brick play area. Access to all programs, exhibitions, and screenings within the festival is completely free for the general public.

(Source: E-zeppelin)

If you visit Eforie Sud, you must definitely check out the monumental 18.5-meter mural in the cinema's courtyard, created by Czech artist Barbora Idesová, which serves as an excellent photo backdrop and Instagram spot. This special artwork, which celebrates nature, illustrates the symbiosis between plants, fish, and mystical creatures.

(Source: Barbora Idesová)

București: Art on the Caro Hotel Terrace

If you find yourself in the capital during the summer and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, the "La Hamace" terrace at the Caro Hotel transforms into a true open-air art gallery. Thanks to the close partnership between Happy Cinema and Caro Cultura, Wednesday evenings become magical for lovers of beauty. The unique space hosts world-renowned art documentaries that open virtual doors to the largest museums and exhibitions across the globe. These cultural events offer film enthusiasts a fascinating journey into the world of rare collections, turning summer nights in the capital into genuine artistic voyages.

Screenings start at 21:00, and the exact schedule of documentaries scheduled for this summer includes:

• July 8 – Michelangelo: Love and Death

• July 15 – Renoir: Revered and Detested

• July 22 – Caravaggio

• July 29 – Klimt and The Kiss

• August 5 – Maverick Modigliani

• August 12 – Munch: Love, Ghosts and Lady Vampires

• August 19 – Frida Kahlo

• August 26 – Sunflowers in Van Gogh's Paintings

Bonus: Cinemobilul – Cinematic Experience Delivered Nationwide

The magic of open-air cinemas is not just the privilege of big cities or the seaside, because this summer the most mobile traveling cinema in the country, Cinemobilul, hits the road once again. The main objective of the project is to bring the unforgettable experience of outdoor movies to smaller regions and localities, where locals do not have the daily opportunity to go to a traditional cinema.

The tour takes place in the peak summer season and early autumn, covering numerous counties. The screenings offer an excellent program for the whole family, and the repertoire is specially tailored for children and parents: the most popular recent animated and family films, dubbed in Romanian, will run on the monumental screen. The caravan's stops are most often located in Kaufland store parking lots or in beloved public spaces in cities, where screenings begin after dark.

Thanks to the support provided by Kaufland România, public access to all screenings within this tour is completely free. The full itinerary of cities included in the caravan, as well as the detailed schedule for each evening, can be checked directly on Cinemobilul's official Facebook page under the Events section, where information is updated in real time.

(Source: Cinemobilul)

Final Thoughts: Summer, Film, and Relaxation

It doesn't matter in which corner of the country you choose to spend your vacation this summer: whether you are relaxing on the seaside beaches, exploring the history-filled streets of Timișoara, or enjoying the cultural vibe of Cluj, it is worth looking around and taking full advantage of these magical movie nights under the open sky.

To make your summer experience complete and worry-free, make sure you get the best comfort after the cinema screen goes dark. Visit stayhere.ro, book the ideal accommodation in your favorite city or on the coast, and enjoy the magic of summer in complete peace, safety, and freedom!