Free outdoor film screenings mean that Toronto cinephiles can spend their summer evenings basking in the warm bluish glow from a movie screen with blankets and ice cream! Now a yearly tradition, the number of screenings and locations that have full programming have ballooned to the point that it is entirely possible to see about 3 free films per week if one was so inclined. With each location offering a different type of program, I've broken the offerings down by interest. Listed in no particular order, below are the summer line-ups for Yonge & Dundas Square, Harbourfront, TIFF in the Park and more. If you know of any other free outdoor screenings, please list them in the comments.

Dancing in the Dark at Yonge-Dundas Square

The theme for this year's Yonge and Dundas Square outdoor screenings is Dancing in the Dark, a film series that will have audience members tapping their toes to the beat and finding it difficult to stay still in general. These screenings start at sunset, which is something to keep in mind as the days grow shorter. Also worthy of note is that the last three screenings in August start earlier to accommodate the double bills. Location: SE Corner of Yonge St & Dundas St, Map

Tuesday July 5th, 9pm - Beach Blanket Bingo
Tuesday July 12th, 8:57pm - Dirty Dancing
Tuesday July 19th, 8:53pm - Moulin Rouge
Tuesday July 26th, 8:47pm - West Side Story
Tuesday August 2nd, 8:39pm - Hair
Tuesday August 9th, 8:30pm - Saturday Night Fever
Tuesday August 16th, 7pm - Mad Hot Ballroom & Strictly Ballroom - DOUBLE BILL!
Tuesday August 23rd, 7pm - Chicago & All That Jazz - DOUBLE BILL!
Tuesday August 30th, 7pm - Rize & How She Move - DOUBLE BILL!

Date movies at Harbourfront
Longo's Free Summer Flicks at Harbourfront this summer all focus on films that are as much a love story about the city they were shot as between two characters. Location: Lower Simcoe St & Queens Quay, Westjet Stage at the Harbourfront Centre

Tuesday July 5th, 9 pm - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Tuesday July 12th, 9 pm - Annie Hall
Tuesday July 19th, 9 pm - Paris Je T'aime
Tuesday July 26th, 9 pm - Amal
Tuesday August 2nd, 9 pm - Lost in Translation
Tuesday August 9th, 9pm - Audience Choice Film

TIFF in the Park

At TIFF in the Park you're free to bring your friends, but please, no singing along to the movies! That action is reserved only for Singing in the Dark whenever they choose to bring those back to the Lightbox. The screenings start at approximately 9pm in July and 8:30pm in August, but TIFF has also provided more detailed start times for the screenings. Location: King & Simcoe, David Pecaut Square (formerly Metro Square, just west of Roy Thomson Hall)

Wednesday July 6th, 9:02pm - The Wizard of Oz
Wednesday July 13th, 8:58pm - The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Wednesday July 20th, 8:53pm - Funny Girl
Wednesday July 27th, 8:46pm - The Sound of Music
Wednesday August 3rd, 8:38pm - Jagte Raho
Wednesday August 10th, 8:29pm - Fiddler on the Roof
Wednesday August 17th, 8:18pm - Singin' in the Rain
Wednesday August 24th, 8:07pm - The Muppet Movie
Wednesday August 31st, 7:55pm - Mary Poppins

Movies Under the Stars at Downsview Park

While Downsview Park's Movies Under the Stars is a much more kid-friendly series, this probably won't stop adults from enjoying a guilty pleasure or two for free! The website claims the screenings start at approximately sunset, but they list 9pm for all of the screenings. Also, bring your own folding chair/blanket as the venue is a parking lot. Location: Keele St & Sheppard Ave W, Carl Hall Rd Parking Lot, Downsview Park Map

Friday July 8th, 9pm - Shrek Forever After
Friday July 15th, 9pm - How to Train Your Dragon
Friday July 22nd, 9pm - Megamind
Friday July 29th, 9pm - Space Jam
Friday August 5th, 9pm - Up
Friday August 12th, 9pm - Tangled
Friday August 19th, 9pm - Beauty and the Beast
Friday August 26th, 9pm - Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Friday August 31st, 9pm - The Wizard of Oz

Movies in Riverdale Park

Riverdale Movies in the Park are still a smaller sized summer series but no less fun. With a group of films that appeal to a broader group of people, I anticipate larger attendance than previous years! Films start at dusk so I'd say 9pm start time at the latest. Aim to be early for sure.
Location: 550 Broadview Ave, Riverdale Park Map

Sunday July 24th, 9pm - Rango
Sunday August 14th, 8:30pm - Best in Show
Sunday August 21st, 8pm - Rear Window

Outdoor Movie Nights at the 519 Backyard Cinema

While I'm sure it's an inadvertent coincidence, the films scheduled for the Outdoor Movie Night at The 519 Backyard Cinema all seem to centre around issues with mothers and/or a lack thereof. Otherwise, they are camp cinema favourites. Location: 519 Church St Community Centre

Saturday July 16th, 9pm - Grey Gardens
Saturday July 30th, 9pm - Mommie Dearest
Saturday August 13th, 9pm - Return to Oz
Saturday August 27th, 9pm - The Neverending Story

And while the screenings at the Open Roof Film Festival are not free, keep those in mind for another great opportunity for cinema under the stars.

Lead photo by Chewie2008~ in the blogTO Flickr pool.