The City of Sandusky, Ohio, has announced the return of its free outdoor movie series, Movies by the Bay, which began on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. The screenings take place on the Great Lawn at Jackson Street Pier, a waterfront location overlooking Sandusky Bay. The event is free to the public and is projected onto the Firelands Health Screen, a large outdoor screen used by the Parks and Recreation Department for community events. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks, and the city has arranged for free parking in the vicinity of the pier.

Sandusky is a city in Erie County, Ohio, and serves as the county seat. According to the 2020 census, the city’s population was 25,095, while the broader Sandusky metropolitan area had 115,986 residents. The city is situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, roughly midway between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east. While the city is internationally known for the Cedar Point amusement park, it also hosts a variety of community programs that leverage its waterfront and public spaces. Movies by the Bay is one such program, organized by the Parks and Recreation Department as part of the city’s summer programming lineup.

The film lineup for the series begins with The Sandlot, a 1993 family sports comedy, which premiered on the first night, June 15. Subsequent screenings include The Goonies on June 22, Gabby’s Dollhouse The Movie on June 29, GOAT on July 6, Night at the Museum on July 13, Zootopia on July 20, The Little Rascals on July 27, and Wild Robot on August 3. The selection spans nostalgic titles from the 1980s and 1990s as well as more recent releases, offering a mix of genres that appeal to a broad family audience.

The Great Lawn at Jackson Street Pier provides an open, grassy area that accommodates a large number of spectators. The Firelands Health Screen, positioned on the lawn, projects the film onto a sizable screen that is visible from multiple angles. The pier’s location offers a scenic view of Sandusky Bay, and the surrounding waterfront is a popular spot for walking and leisure. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has arranged for free parking spaces adjacent to the pier, and local residents are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.

Additional details, including the full schedule, parking information, and any changes to the program, can be found on the City of Sandusky’s official website. The website provides a dedicated page for Movies by the Bay, which includes links to the event’s page and contact information for the Parks and Recreation Department. Residents and visitors can also follow the city’s social media channels for real‑time updates and reminders about upcoming screenings.

Movies by the Bay offers a low‑cost, family‑friendly entertainment option that encourages community interaction and supports local tourism during the summer months. By utilizing the city’s waterfront and public spaces, the program provides residents with a chance to gather outdoors without the expense of ticketed events. The free nature of the series also makes it accessible to a wide demographic, including families with children, retirees, and tourists who are visiting the area for other attractions such as Cedar Point or the local water parks.

The series will continue through August 3, with Wild Robot serving as the final film in the lineup. The City of Sandusky encourages all residents and visitors to attend the Monday night screenings at 7 p.m. No tickets are required, but attendees should bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks for a comfortable evening under the stars. The event is part of the city’s broader effort to promote outdoor recreation and community engagement during the warmer months, and it is expected to draw a steady stream of local spectators each week.