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Maui County to Host Free Outdoor Movie Nights in July for National Park and Recreation Month
Maui County is turning its parks into open‑air theaters, inviting families to gather under the stars for a week‑long slate of free movie nights that celebrate National Park and Recreation Month. The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced a series of screenings across Maui, Moloka‘i and Lanāʽi that begin on July 1 and run through July 24, 2026.
The first evening kicks off at Hāna Ball Park in East Maui, where Disney’s Lilo & Stitch will play at 7 p.m. on July 1. The next day, July 2, the Lahaina Civic Center Amphitheater in West Maui will host How to Train Your Dragon at the same time. A mid‑month highlight arrives on July 10 when the South Maui event at Kamaʻole III Beach Park shows GOAT. The schedule continues with Shrek on July 16 at the Lahaina Civic Center Amphitheater, Zootopia 2 on July 17 at the Mayor Eddie Tam Memorial Complex in Upcountry, and Kung Fu Panda 4 on July 24 at the War Memorial Complex in Central Maui.
Moloka‘i’s single July event takes place on July 10 at the Kaunakakai Gymnasium, where Zootopia 2 will be shown at 7 p.m. Lanāʽi adds two more Zootopia 2 screenings: one on July 22 at the Lanāʽi Park Complex Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. and a second, also on July 22, at the same venue.
In addition to the film nights, the DPR will host two community‑building activities in Lanāʽi. A picture‑frame decorating session runs from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 15, followed by a birdhouse building and decorating workshop from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 20. Both events take place at the Lanāʽi Park Complex Gymnasium.
All outdoor screenings are scheduled to begin at sunset, except where a specific start time is listed. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks, non‑alcoholic beverages, low‑back chairs and blankets. The DPR has stated that the events are designed to bring community members together and to celebrate the importance of public parks.
National Park and Recreation Month is observed nationwide each July. According to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the month is intended to raise awareness of the essential services that parks and recreation professionals provide to communities across the United States.
Information on the movie nights, including full titles and any updates, can be found on the Maui County website. Visitors should consult the Free Programming Events News Flash section at the bottom of the page for the most current details.
The DPR’s initiative reflects a broader trend of local governments using free, outdoor programming to promote community engagement and healthy lifestyles. By offering a mix of animated classics and contemporary family films, the county aims to attract a wide demographic, from young children to seniors.
The events run through the end of July, with the final screening on July 24 in Central Maui. The DPR has not announced any additional film titles beyond those listed, and no ticketing or registration is required; the screenings are open to the public.
As the month progresses, residents and visitors can look forward to relaxed, socially distanced movie experiences that showcase the natural beauty of Maui’s parks while providing entertainment for all ages. The DPR has not indicated any changes to the schedule, and no further events have been announced for the remainder of the month.
In summary, Maui County’s July free movie nights offer a low‑cost, family‑friendly way to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month. The program includes screenings of Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon, GOAT, Shrek, Zootopia 2, and Kung Fu Panda 4 across multiple islands, along with additional community workshops on Lanāʽi. Residents are encouraged to visit the county website for the latest information and to plan their attendance.
The first evening kicks off at Hāna Ball Park in East Maui, where Disney’s Lilo & Stitch will play at 7 p.m. on July 1. The next day, July 2, the Lahaina Civic Center Amphitheater in West Maui will host How to Train Your Dragon at the same time. A mid‑month highlight arrives on July 10 when the South Maui event at Kamaʻole III Beach Park shows GOAT. The schedule continues with Shrek on July 16 at the Lahaina Civic Center Amphitheater, Zootopia 2 on July 17 at the Mayor Eddie Tam Memorial Complex in Upcountry, and Kung Fu Panda 4 on July 24 at the War Memorial Complex in Central Maui.
Moloka‘i’s single July event takes place on July 10 at the Kaunakakai Gymnasium, where Zootopia 2 will be shown at 7 p.m. Lanāʽi adds two more Zootopia 2 screenings: one on July 22 at the Lanāʽi Park Complex Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. and a second, also on July 22, at the same venue.
In addition to the film nights, the DPR will host two community‑building activities in Lanāʽi. A picture‑frame decorating session runs from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 15, followed by a birdhouse building and decorating workshop from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 20. Both events take place at the Lanāʽi Park Complex Gymnasium.
All outdoor screenings are scheduled to begin at sunset, except where a specific start time is listed. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks, non‑alcoholic beverages, low‑back chairs and blankets. The DPR has stated that the events are designed to bring community members together and to celebrate the importance of public parks.
National Park and Recreation Month is observed nationwide each July. According to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the month is intended to raise awareness of the essential services that parks and recreation professionals provide to communities across the United States.
Information on the movie nights, including full titles and any updates, can be found on the Maui County website. Visitors should consult the Free Programming Events News Flash section at the bottom of the page for the most current details.
The DPR’s initiative reflects a broader trend of local governments using free, outdoor programming to promote community engagement and healthy lifestyles. By offering a mix of animated classics and contemporary family films, the county aims to attract a wide demographic, from young children to seniors.
The events run through the end of July, with the final screening on July 24 in Central Maui. The DPR has not announced any additional film titles beyond those listed, and no ticketing or registration is required; the screenings are open to the public.
As the month progresses, residents and visitors can look forward to relaxed, socially distanced movie experiences that showcase the natural beauty of Maui’s parks while providing entertainment for all ages. The DPR has not indicated any changes to the schedule, and no further events have been announced for the remainder of the month.
In summary, Maui County’s July free movie nights offer a low‑cost, family‑friendly way to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month. The program includes screenings of Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon, GOAT, Shrek, Zootopia 2, and Kung Fu Panda 4 across multiple islands, along with additional community workshops on Lanāʽi. Residents are encouraged to visit the county website for the latest information and to plan their attendance.
