Enjoy the End of Summer with Open-Air Cinema in Lisbon

The beginning of September reminds us that we have about a month left to make the most of the summer. Enjoying the end of the season with outdoor cultural activities is a fantastic way to savour the last days of extended daylight or, if you prefer, the warm nights that invite you to venture out.

As the season bids farewell, Lisbon continues to offer a variety of events that blend the vibrancy of summer with its rich cultural heritage. Open-air concerts and cinema, art exhibitions, and traditional fairs are just a few of the activities that allow you to explore local culture before autumn arrives.

For lovers of the seventh art, open-air cinema sessions in Lisbon are an experience that can’t be missed. During the warmer months, the city transforms into a cinematic stage, offering locals and visitors the chance to watch films under the stars in iconic locations such as palaces, churches, squares, and rooftops.

Gaivotas no Pátio

Located in Palácio Alarcão, near the River Tagus, the Polo Cultural Gaivotas | Boavista is an artistic creation centre run by the Lisbon City Council. It is in this context that Gaivotas no Pátio was born, previously known as Lusco-Fusco—a programme held between 2016 and 2019, where cinema played a prominent role.

Currently, Gaivotas no Pátio offers a diverse summer cultural programme that includes music, theatre, and cinema. On 4th September, it will host a free open-air cinema session featuring Pedro Costa’s film Vitalina Varela—a film that earned the director multiple awards, including a Golden Leopard in 2019.

 

Session details:

·      Date: 4th September 2024

·      Day and time: Wednesday, at 9:30 PM

·      Location: Polo Cultural Gaivotas | Boavista

Cine Society

Cine Society brings the seventh art to some of the most memorable locations in Lisbon, offering an open-air cinema experience that combines classic and contemporary films with the most spectacular views.

One of its new locations is Doca da Marinha, situated near Praça do Comércio. This renovated space promotes a unique cinematic experience, where the sunset and views over the river blend with the stories told on the screen. Watching a film here is much more than just "watching a film”—it’s an immersion into the magical atmosphere of Lisbon, enriching each spectator's experience.

At Carmo Rooftop, located in the historic Chiado district, films come to life under the starry sky, with the ruins of the Carmo Convent beside you and the Lisbon skyline as the backdrop. This space combines history with modernity in a celebration of cinema that highlights the charm of Lisbon, turning each screening into an unforgettable moment.

Cine Society offers perfect settings for open-air cinema sessions, with the city and the River Tagus as a backdrop. Screenings run until October, providing an innovative way to enjoy cinema in the Portuguese capital.

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Black Cat Cinema

The Black Cat Cinema concept was brought to Lisbon in 2021 by its founder Daniel Evans. Dan, as he prefers to be called, was inspired after living a couple of years in Nepal, where in 2014, he created the Movie Garden on a hillside overlooking the Himalayas in Pokhara.

This year, Black Cat Cinema's new open-air season kicked off in the Cloisters of Igreja da Graça on 26th June and has continued to offer memorable sessions at IDB Lisbon rooftop and its latest location—the Palácio do Grilo.

With a programme running until October and musical sessions before screenings, Black Cat Cinema offers a varied line-up featuring recent hits and iconic films, ranging from The Greatest Showman to Saturday Night Fever. For those with a sweet tooth, besides cinema and music, there’s also a special menu available with popcorn, drinks, and options to suit all tastes.

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Bidding farewell to summer with open-air cinema sessions in Lisbon is undoubtedly a perfect plan. Surrounded by friends and family, under the vast starry sky, while enjoying carefully selected films with the enchanting atmosphere of the beautiful Portuguese capital is an experience you can’t miss out on.