Elio: Free Outdoor Movie Night at JLT Park

On Sat 2 January, Elio is showing for free on the big outdoor screen at JLT Park as part of Cinema Under the Stars. The film starts at 7:30pm on the lawn in Cluster Q, Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Bring a blanket or a chair, pack some snacks and enjoy a movie night under the Dubai sky.

About the film

Pixar’s Elio (2025) follows an imaginative boy who dreams of life beyond Earth. When he is accidentally beamed up into space, he finds himself mistaken for Earth’s official ambassador by the Communiverse, an organisation of alien worlds, and has to figure out how to live up to the role.

It is a warm, funny space adventure about feeling like you belong, and a great way to start the new year with the family.

Is it really free?

Yes. Entry to the lawn is free and you do not need a ticket. You are welcome to bring your own chair, blanket, food and drinks, as long as you clean up afterwards. If you would like to be more comfortable, you can pay AED 30 for a beanbag in a reserved spot near the front, which comes with a large popcorn. Beanbags are first come, first served. Screenings have English and Arabic subtitles. Pets are not allowed.

Why we like Cinema Under the Stars

Outdoor cinema is one of the best things about the cooler months in the UAE, and this weekly series in JLT gets it right. It is free, relaxed and easy to reach by Metro, and the lawn setting means kids can move around before the film starts. If you would rather eat out than bring a picnic, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants around the JLT lakes.

Making a night of it

Families often turn the screening into a full evening out: an early dinner at one of the JLT cafés, a run around the playground next to the lawn, then settling in with popcorn when the film starts. If your children are young, pick a spot near the edge of the lawn so it is easy to slip away if anyone gets sleepy before the end.

Getting there

JLT Park is about a five-minute walk from Sobha Realty Metro Station on the Red Line (Exit 1). If you are driving, parking in JLT can fill up on Saturday evenings, so leave a little extra time. There is step-free access from the promenade and accessible toilets in Cluster Q.

Our tips

• Arrive by 7pm to get a good spot on the lawn.
• Bring a light jacket or blanket, as evenings get cooler later in the season.
• Check the JLT website or Instagram on the day in case of weather changes.

More free movie nights at JLT Park

Cinema Under the Stars runs every Saturday until 30 January 2027. Here is the rest of the season:

• Sat 31 October: Goosebumps
• Sat 7 November: Elemental
• Sat 14 November: Hoppers
• Sat 21 November: Inside Out 2
• Sat 28 November: Toy Story
• Sat 5 December: The Martian
• Sat 12 December: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
• Sat 19 December: Detective Pikachu
• Sat 26 December: A Christmas Carol
• Sat 9 January: The Lego Batman Movie
• Sat 16 January: Moana 2
• Sat 23 January: Spider-Man: No Way Home
• Sat 30 January: Rio

Looking for more ideas? See our kids and family events and things to do this weekend.