POP-UP SCREENING · ONE NIGHT ONLY - SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF BUELLTON
A SUMMER NIGHT
AT THE MOVIES,
VALLEY-STYLE.
August 28th we're screening E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial -under the stars at River View Park in Buellton. The whole community is invited for this free movie and a short program. Layout your blankets and chairs on the grass, bring your own picnic or preorder a Burger meal with our special Cookout truck for up to 250 meals. Kick back, have some popcorn, and enjoy the evening.
★ Now Playing ★
FRI
28
AUG 2026
Park Open
6:00 PM
MEALS SERVICE
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
★ Meal Checkin ★
6:00 PM
★ PROGRAM STARTS ★
7:00 PM
Date
Friday, August 28, 2026
CHECKIN / MEAL SERVICE / PROGRAM
6:00 PM / 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM / 7:00 PM
Location
Meals left
250 meals
About the night
One film.
One Valley.
One unforgettable evening.
Our August 28th pop-up brings the Solvang Cinema Arts experience to life with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. This community event is free, bring your blanket and a picnic, or order the optional cookout burger meal, also available, enjoy some popcorn, sweets, and drinks. It should be a great evening for everyone!
The cookout truck will provide a cooked to order meal to the first 250 guests that preorder online below - first come, first served. Meals include a Burger, Chips and a Drink at $10 for Kids/Seniors and at $13 for Adults for Double-Double® meals.
Now Playing
The Film
35mm-spirit · presented in 4K · family friendly
Official trailer · Universal Pictures
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
A boy and his alien. A bicycle ride across the moon. A friendship that needs no words. Steven Spielberg's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" is a landmark of American cinema — a tender sci-fi fable about loneliness, courage, and finding home in the most unexpected place.
Chosen for the whole Valley, this is the kind of shared-screen experience that brings generations together: kids discovering wonder for the first time, adults remembering why they fell in love with movies, and everyone leaving with the evening a little brighter.
Did you know?
- ★Mars Inc. famously turned down a Reese's Pieces product placement — Hershey's said yes, and sales jumped ~65%.
- ★Composer John Williams won an Oscar; Spielberg recut the final chase scene to fit the music, not the other way around.
- ★The kids' reactions to E.T. were filmed in script order — so the wonder you see on screen is the real first time they saw him.
Studio Notes
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Drew Barrymore, Robert MacNaughton
Score: John Williams (Academy Award, Best Original Score)
Why we chose it: A timeless, all-ages classic that captures the shared wonder we want every Solvang Cinema Arts night to feel like.
Good to know
Common questions
What's the schedule?
The park is ready for blankets and chairs at any time. PreOrdered meal check-in begins at 6:00 PM, the welcome program starts at 7:00 PM, and the film begins around ~7:30 PM. Popcorn, sweets and drinks will be available for the entire evening provided by SYV Community Outreach, whose proceeds go to our valley families and seniors in need.
Is this free, and how do meal preorders work?
The movie and park participation are completely free. The Cookout Food Truck is optional and PreOrdered meals can be reserved for the first 250 guests, at solvangcinemaarts.org (not sold at the truck itself). Your order is confirmed by email, and you'll pick up meal tickets at the Solvang Cinema Arts table when you arrive. Meal service is cooked to order and staggered between 6:30 and 8:00 PM to match the order of your CheckIn. Cook time is about 10-minute per order. Popcorn, sweets, and drinks are available provided by SYV Community Outreach, whose proceeds will directly benefit our SVY seniors and families in need.
What should I bring — and what should I leave at home?
Bring a lightweight blanket (no tarps, plastic, or nylon sheeting, to protect the lawn) or a low-profile chair - please set up taller or ADA/high-back chairs along the sides or back so everyone can see. A picnic or snacks are welcome, and a light jacket is a good idea once the sun goes down. The park is glass-free, please skip any glass bottles or cups.
Where do I park, and is the event accessible?
Parking is available either in River View Park east and west parking lots, or use the overflow parking behind the basketball courts using the east lot loop and side gate toward the south. ADA parking, accessible pathways, and benches are available throughout the park, and two sets of restrooms will be on-site.
Is the film appropriate for kids?
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is rated PG and is a family favorite suitable for most ages — parents should use their own judgment for younger children.
Is this a fundraiser? Can I donate?
This screening is part of Solvang Cinema Arts' popup series building toward a permanent, community-owned film center for the Santa Ynez Valley. Donations are always welcome online, and we'd love for you to stop by our info table, learn more, and take our Community or Youth survey at solvangcinemaarts.org.
In Partnership With
