Palma’s free open-air cinema returns with blockbusters, family favourites and classics under the stars

Summer nights in Palma are getting the big-screen treatment as the city’s popular Cinema a la Fresca continues with a packed programme of free films throughout August.

Running until September 2, the annual open-air cinema series transforms public spaces into atmospheric outdoor cinemas, giving residents and holidaymakers the chance to catch everything from family adventures and recent releases to award-winning films and century-old classics without spending a cent.

Screenings begin at 9pm, with the majority taking place at Parc de les Estacions, before the action moves to Plaça Francesc García i Orell in Pere Garau for the final three nights. Entry is completely free.

Family favourite kicks off next week

Following screenings including Wicked and Oscar-winning Anora, the programme continues on Monday, August 17, with How to Train Your Dragon (Com entrenar el teu drac) at Parc de les Estacions.

It promises to be one of the most family-friendly evenings of the remaining programme, giving parents an easy and affordable summer night out with younger film fans.

On Tuesday, August 18, audiences can see El 47, followed by Weapons on Wednesday, August 19.

The programme has been designed to appeal to a broad audience, combining commercial hits with animation, Spanish productions, international cinema and films that may be harder to catch on the conventional cinema circuit. Some evenings also feature short films from emerging Balearic filmmakers.

Classics beneath the Palma sky

The following week brings another eclectic trio of films.

On August 24, audiences can settle down for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, the landmark silent film that remains one of the most recognisable works of early German cinema.

Then, on August 25, the screen switches to the acclaimed dialogue-free animated adventure Flow: un mundo que salvar, followed on August 26 by Las chicas de la estación. The latter has an especially strong Mallorca connection, with the film based on a real case on the island and partly filmed at Parc de les Estacions itself.

Final screenings move to Pere Garau

For its final stretch, Cinema a la Fresca will move to Plaça Francesc García i Orell, where Es Gegant des Vedrà will be shown on August 31.

That will be followed by Un like de Bob Trevino on September 1, before the summer season ends on September 2 with Buster Keaton’s legendary The General (El maquinista de la General), marking 100 years since the silent comedy classic was released.

Films are screened in Catalan, Spanish or their original language depending on the title, with subtitled screenings also included.

With balmy evenings, free admission and everything from dragons to silent-screen legends on the bill, Cinema a la Fresca offers one of Palma’s simplest summer pleasures: grabbing a seat and watching a film beneath the stars.