FREE and Cheap Summer Movies in Cleveland 2012

Here's a roundup of all the FREE and cheap summer movie programs and events in the greater Cleveland area this summer.

Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express
Select theaters offer G or PG movies for only $1/person on Tuesday and Wednesday Mornings at 10am from June 19th through August 15th. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Will Rogers Institute. The two participating theaters in the Cleveland area are:

COBBLESTONE SQUARE STADIUM 20
5500 Cobblestone Road
Elyria OH440-934-3355

MEDINA STADIUM 16
200 West Reagan Pkwy
Medina OH
330-721-7056   

To find a theater close to you or to view movie dates/times, click here.


Cleveland Cinemas FREE Summer Kids Fest *NEW* (Thanks, Rochelle!)
Select Cleveland Cinemas locations will be presenting a series of 6 FREE family films this summer. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis. Doors open at 9:30 AM. Films will play at 10AM at these locations on the following weekdays:

Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill - Tuesdays
Chagrin Cinemas - Wednesdays
Solon Cinemas - Thursdays
Capitol Theatre - Fridays

The films in the series are:
PUSS IN BOOTS (PG) - June 19 - 22
MONSTERS VS. ALIENS (PG) - June 26 - 29
THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (PG) - July 3 - 6
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (PG) - July 10 - 13
KUNG FU PANDA 2 (PG) - July 17 - 20
OVER THE HEDGE (PG) - July 24 - 17

**Pick up a Marquee Rewards Card at any Cleveland Cinemas location for FREE. Simply register your card online (earning a free 20 points when you do!) and immediately start earning points towards great rewards like free popcorn, fountain drinks, and movie tickets! Earn one Marquee Rewards Point for every dollar spent at the box office or concession stand. Click here for more details or to register your card. Rewards Cardholders also get a free 32 oz popcorn with paid admission on Tuesdays!

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse

Fun films for kids, and all are rated G or PG. Get 10 shows for $5 if purchased in advance or $1/show at the door. Shows are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and start at 9:30am, and they run from June 12 & 13 through August 14 & 15. Local theaters include:

• Aurora, Cinemark 10
• Macedonia Cinemark
• North Canton Cinemark Movies 10
• Strongsville Southpark Cinemark

To find more information about the theater near your or to view movie schedule, click here!


Movies in the Park at Crocker Park
Movies will be shown every Thursday evening at 9pm starting June 7th through August 30th in the West Park, behind Game Stop. Movies will end around 10:30pm. The films will cover all ages and genres. There's something for everyone! And best of all, it's FREE!! Click here for the complete schedule.


Moonlight Movies at Legacy Village
Movies will be shown on the third Wednesday of each month during the summer from 9-11pm on the Lawn (located between Bar Louie and California Pizza Kitchen). They are FREE! The dates for the summer are:

• June 20th (feature presentation is The Muppets)
• July 18th
• August 15th

There will be movie-themed kids activities on the Lawn with Radio Disney from 7-9pm before the movie begins. If the event is cancelled due to weather, it will be rescheduled for June 27th. For more information, click here. 

Keep an eye out for local community movie nights, as well! If you know of any that aren't mentioned, please comment and let us know! Enjoy.

FREE Outdoor Concert Series in Cleveland for Summer 2012

Here is a round-up of all the great, local outdoor concert series that are starting for the summer! They start THIS WEEKEND and most run through early September. Hopefully you will take time to enjoy some of them! :)

Concerts Over the Valley at Mapleside Farm

(Photo Credit: Mapleside Farms)

• Every Friday night from May 25-September 28, 6-9:30pm (gates open at 5pm)
• Concerts feature a wide variety of genres and styles
• Admission is FREE, with the exception of June 15th, July 20th, August 31st (these are Premium Concerts and cost $2/person or $5/Family of 3 or more)
• Wine, beer, and food are available for purchase
• Bring your own chair or blanket, relax, and enjoy the view! 
• For the complete concert schedule, click here. 

Legacy Live at Legacy Village

• Every Friday & Saturday night from May 25-September 15, 6-9:30pm
• Concerts feature a wide variety of genres and styles
• Concerts take place on the Lawn, located between California Pizza Kitchen and Bar Louie
• Subject to change/cancellation due to weather when applicable
• For the concert schedule through June 30th, click here.

Music in the Park at Crocker Park

(Photo Credit: Crocker Park)

• Every Friday & Saturday from May 25-September 1, 6-8:30pm
• Enjoy a variety of musical talents
• Concerts take place behind GameStop by the large grassy area (off the roundabout)
• For the complete concert schedule, click here. 

Rally in the Alley in Medina Square

(Photo Credit: Main Street Cafe)

• Every Friday night starting May 25th and ending with a large event the entire Labor Day Weekend (September 1 & 2)
• Admission is FREE with the exception of Saturday and Sunday Labor Day weekend
• Wine, beer, spirits, and food are available for purchase
• For the complete concert schedule and other details, click here. 

Summer Concert Series at Shaker Square

• Every Saturday night from June 23-August 18, 6-9pm
• Admission is FREE
• Bring a chair or blanket, or you can listen from a restaurant patio while you enjoy dinner!
• There is currently no concert schedule posted

First & Main Music Nights in Hudson

• This concert series takes place on the Green at First & Main in Hudson
• Concerts run from July-August on Fridays and Saturdays, 7-9pm
• Schedule and more details will be posted when they become available

FREE Admission to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, May 11th (tomorrow) ONLY!

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, for FREE!! Visit the Better Homes and Gardens website here to print out your coupon now! This coupon is valid tomorrow, May 11th only. Print out one for your family and friends, too! The other participating Ohio gardens are listed here. Enjoy!

FREE Live Music at The Hard Rock Cafe Battle of the Bands 2011

March 17, 2011 @ 7pm
Location: Hard Rock Cafe - Grand Staircase of Skylight Concourse in the Avenue at Tower City
Address: 230 West Huron Road, Suite 8575, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-830-7625

The Hard Rock Cafe: Cleveland is proud to present a night of extraordinary live music talent! The lineup will consist of our three Battle of the Bands finalists who are competing for the opportunity to perform on the "Hard Rock Calling" stage in Hyde Park, England. This performance will be video recorded live to be used for the internet voting process. The Headliner for the evening will be college favorite "The Clarks" from Pittsburg, PA. The event is FREE and open to all ages. See their website for more details!

Creative and FREE Date Night Ideas

Outdoor/Active Dates
1. Take a walk near your home. Always a good option for some time to get some exercise and talk.
2. Go to the beach or a lake. Great choice for a quick getaway.
3. Pillow fight. When was the last time you tried this? The key is avoid being too aggressive!!
4. Go hiking. Nature and romance. What’s not to like?
5. Fly kites. All you need is a little wind, some string, a kite, and you’re set – relaxation and romance all in one.
6. Gardening. Even gardening at home can turn into a date when you work together.
7. Jog. Enjoy just being with each other. Take the time to talk as you cool down.
8. Go for a drive. Map? Who needs a map?
9. Explore an unfamiliar nearby town. Adventure awaits as you try visiting someplace new together.
10.Watch a sunset (or sunrise). Isn’t dating your spouse why God made sunsets in the first place?
11. Catch fire flies at dusk. Relive those childhood memories.
12. Build a snowman. A time-honored tradition for lovers everywhere!
13. Toss a Frisbee. Old stand-by, but oh, so easy to do.
14. Wash your cars. Water fights are fair game!
15. Snowball fight. Play fair. Enjoy some hot chocolate or cider afterward.
16. Star-gazing. A blanket and stars… who could ask for more?
17. Feed the ducks. You knew there had to be some use for those left over end pieces of the bread loaf, didn’t you?
18. Go on a picnic. Find a nice picturesque or quiet spot together. Watch out for ants!

Spectator Dates
19. Go bird watching. See how many different birds you can identify.
20. Enjoy a party with friends. A chance to hang out with friends and your spouse too.
21. People-watch at a shopping mall. Catch up on all the latest fashions, or lack thereof.

Food-focused Dates
22. Bake cookies. No experience required. See how your spouse looks with a dusting of flour on them.
23. Cook a special meal for the two of you. Change up some of the traditional roles and enjoy the prep, the meal and the clean up together.
24. Cook dinner for your parents. Score points with the parents and experience the fun of team-cooking.
25. Barbecue. Old stand-by. Try grilling something new.

Indoor Dates
26. Put together a jigsaw puzzle. A good excuse for spending an evening together with the television off.
27. Play board games. Learn a new game or take a trip down memory lane with the board games you played as kids.
28. Play backgammon. Easy to learn, and fun to play with plenty of opportunity to talk.
29. Play card games. Another way to pass the time together.
30. Listen to music. Kick back, relax and enjoy some tunes.
31. Attend a Bible Study. A study on the Song of Solomon anyone?
32. Attend church functions.
33. Creative writing (poems, short stories). Try writing a love poem to your spouse.
34. Go shopping together. Whether you buy something, or just try on everything in sight, this can be more fun than you would imagine.
35. Give each other massages. Get the stress out!

"Places to Go" Dates
36. Historical sites, tours, walking tours. Get in touch with the past as you talk about the future with your spouse.
37. Museums. The Art Museum is FREE daily, and the first Thursday of March is FREE at the Natural History Museum!
38. Parks. Larger than your backyard and filled with all kinds of options for fun.
39. Shopping mall. Whether you are buying or people watching, the mall is a fascinating place.
40. Public gardens. A slow stroll through the flowers does wonders for the soul.
41. Garage/estate sales. One person’s junk is another’s treasure!
42. Factory tours. Do they let you take those hats home?
43. Outdoor Concerts. There are plenty to be found in the area during the summer!

Ideas borrowed from Homeward Ministries. Check out their website for the complete list and other helpful information on marriage, family, and more!

Also, if you live in the Greater Cleveland area, click on the Date Night Idea label for some local events and activities that would make a great date night. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day FREE Date Night Idea

Sweetheart Hike
Saturday, February 12, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Wolf Creek Environmental Center.

Bundle up and bring your sweetheart to enjoy a romantic stroll along the snow-covered trails at Wolf Creek. Upon your return to the building, you may delight in each other’s company, hot beverages, delicious treats and a cozy fire. The perfect after-dinner activity for couples looking for a special way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Adults only please. No registration required. Hike is self guided and can be done anytime between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. FREE! For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.medinacountyparks.com/

For other fun outdoor activities at local parks this week, visit here.

December Art Walk in Little Italy This Weekend

Don’t miss the exciting December Art Walk, December 3,4 & 5, 2010. Little Italy kicks off the Holiday season during the December Art Walk with wine tastings, receptions, trunk shows and fantastic gift shopping in over 25 galleries and boutiques and extraodinary dining in 21 restaurants, bakeries and bars.

The annual tree lighting at 5PM Saturday outside the Historic Mayfield Theater features a special guest from the North Pole, Santa Claus 5PM to 7PM! Little Italy is growing with 5 new boutiques/galleries, new restaurants, an Italian Market & a new Bed and Breakfast! Always new and exciting, Little Italy is perfect for the passionate gift buyer!

Art Walk starts Friday, December 3 at Noon to 9PM, Saturday, December 4 Noon to 9PM & Sunday Noon to 6PM. Many restaurants are open to 2AM! Valet parking begins with 4 stations on Mayfield Rd. Friday at 5PM and continues throughout the Art Walk days. For more information about shops and restaurants see our official website: http://clevelandlittleitaly.com/.

Ice Skate for FREE at the Rink at Wade Oval

The Rink at Wade Oval is back for a third year of outdoor fun! It's the only FREE outdoor rink in Cleveland. Last year, more than 20,000 people laced up a pair of skates and took to The Rink’s unique polymer surface, which feels just like real ice. This season, visitors are encouraged to stop by the new Wade Oval Information Center to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee after they're finished skating. Admission is free; skate rental is $3.

Rink Hours of Operation
November 20 - February 21
Weekends Only
Fridays & Saturdays, Noon-7:00 p.m.
Sundays, Noon-5:00 p.m.

December 20 - January 2
Open Daily
Sunday – Thursday, Noon-5:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, Noon – 7:00 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day

Open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 17) and President’s Day (February 21),
Noon-5:00 p.m.

Visit the link for hours of operation and more information!