Summer will get a big-screen sendoff tonight as the West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-In welcomes the community for a free evening of movies under the stars.

Located at 9616 Oates Drive, just off Highway 50 and Bradshaw Road, the Sacramento 6 is the region’s only remaining drive-in theater. Twice each year, the venue opens its gates at no charge to thank longtime patrons and introduce first-time visitors to the magic of drive-in moviegoing. Gates open at 6 p.m., with showtime scheduled for 8 p.m.

Tonight’s lineup features six family-friendly blockbusters: How to Train Your Dragon, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Lilo & Stitch, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Superman and The Minecraft Movie. Families can also enjoy games, activities, and entertainment for children before the films begin. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and early arrival is strongly encouraged to secure a spot and visit the concession stands.

The event is part of a tradition that stretches back nearly a century. The drive-in theater, a truly American phenomenon, first came to life on June 6, 1933, when Richard Hollingshead opened the nation’s first in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. While a few others soon followed, the concept truly flourished in the 1940s with the introduction of in-car speakers. For generations, families across the country have piled into cars with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy movies beneath open skies.

West Wind Drive-Ins, which operates the Sacramento 6, has carried that legacy forward for more than 70 years. Family-owned and operated since opening its first location in 1952, West Wind is now the largest drive-in chain in the world, with three theaters in California, one in Arizona, and two in Nevada. The Sacramento 6 stands as a cornerstone of that story, keeping the nostalgic drive-in experience alive for new generations.

Part of the theater’s continued success lies in its balance of nostalgia and innovation. West Wind was one of the first operators to embrace digital technology, installing massive projectors that create a crystal-clear image on screens far larger than those found in traditional multiplexes. Gone are the days of dim, flickering pictures and the old “squawk box” speakers—today, sound streams directly through car stereos for a modern experience that still retains its vintage charm.

That charm extends beyond the films themselves. Visitors often arrive early to toss a football or Frisbee in the lot, children head for playgrounds and arcade games near the snack bar, and families stock up on concessions before settling in for the night. Between the food, the activities, and the back-to-back movies, the Sacramento 6 offers an atmosphere of relaxed family fun at a value few venues can match.

While most drive-ins in California disappeared long ago as indoor multiplexes became the norm, the Sacramento 6 has endured. In recent years, it has even found renewed popularity as families rediscovered the appeal of outdoor entertainment during and after the pandemic. For many, it remains a place of nostalgia; for others, it’s an introduction to a form of cinema that is both historic and timeless.

Tonight’s free movie night celebrates that enduring tradition, offering films, food, and family fun beneath the stars and moonlight. More information is available at www.westwinddi.com.

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