Can I sell different ticket types, like per-car and per-person?

Yes, Eventbrite allows you to create multiple custom ticket types. You can easily set up per-car passes for a drive-in, individual tickets for lawn seating, and even VIP packages with premium spots or included snacks.

How can I manage check-in for a drive-in movie?

The Eventbrite Organizer app is perfect for drive-ins. Your team can scan QR codes on attendees' phones right through their car window for fast, contactless entry, keeping the line of cars moving smoothly.

What tools are there for weather-related cancellations or postponements?

If bad weather forces a change, you can easily email all ticketholders directly from the Eventbrite platform. Our system helps you manage communications for postponements, cancellations, and refunds efficiently.

How do I promote my open air cinema to a local audience?

Eventbrite helps you reach local movie lovers through our marketplace and discovery features. You can also use our built-in email marketing tools and integration with Facebook and Instagram to target your community.

Can I set a capacity limit for my venue?

Absolutely. You can set a total event capacity or assign specific quantities for each ticket type. This ensures you don't oversell your space, whether you're managing parking spots at a drive-in or spots on a lawn.

Is it free to create an event listing for my movie night?

Yes, publishing your outdoor cinema event on Eventbrite is free. If you're selling paid tickets, our fees can be passed on to the ticket buyer, so there's no upfront cost to you as the organizer.

Sell Outdoor Cinema Tickets Online | Eventbrite

How to Organize & Sell Tickets for an Outdoor Cinema or Drive-in Movie

Eventbrite makes it easy to sell outdoor cinema tickets and create a memorable movie night under the stars. From your event page to on-site check-in, our tools help you manage every detail.

How to organize your perfect outdoor movie night

Organizing an outdoor cinema or drive-in involves more than just pressing play. The first steps are always securing the film licensing and finding the right venue, whether it's a park, a parking lot, or a city rooftop.

Once your foundation is set, you can focus on the attendee experience. Eventbrite helps you create a central hub for all your event information, from the film's rating and runtime to what guests should bring. You can easily set up ticket tiers to match your venue's needs, like per-car pricing for drive-ins or VIP seating for a special screening.

Your outdoor cinema checklist:

Secure your film rights and all necessary A/V equipment.
Create a detailed event page, including policies for weather, food, and seating.
Set up custom ticket types, such as early-bird, group passes, or VIP packages.
Use our email and social marketing tools to promote your event and sell outdoor movie tickets.
Prepare for smooth entry with the Eventbrite Organizer app for fast QR code scanning.

Your all-in-one platform for movie events

Eventbrite provides the tools you need to launch, promote, and manage your outdoor screening from a single dashboard.

Effortless Event Setup

Create a professional event page in minutes. Detail your film, venue rules, and what attendees should bring, whether it's for a classic drive-in or a modern rooftop cinema.

Sell Tickets Seamlessly

Offer various ticket types like per-car passes, early-bird discounts, or VIP packages with premium seating. Securely process payments with Eventbrite Payment Processing.

Smooth On-Site Entry

Use the Eventbrite Organizer app to scan QR-code tickets on attendees' phones, ensuring a fast and simple entry process so the show starts on time.

Why Eventbrite is the ideal drive-in cinema event platform

Tap into a global community of more than 89M monthly average users looking for unique experiences.

Cars arriving at a drive-in cinema event for an evening movie screening.

Reach More Movie Fans

Your screening gets listed on Eventbrite, where millions of people discover things to do. Our platform's high SEO authority helps local film enthusiasts find your event when they search for entertainment in their area.

The entrance to an outdoor event venue, prepared for attendee check-in.

Streamline Check-in & On-site Sales

The Eventbrite Organizer app turns your phone into a ticket scanner. Check guests in quickly by car or by person, and use Tap to Pay to sell last-minute open air cinema tickets or concessions.

Seating arrangement on a rooftop prepared for an open air cinema event.

Flexible Ticketing Options

Easily create different ticket tiers to match your layout. Sell general admission for lawn seating, per-car passes for drive-ins, or premium packages for a rooftop cinema. Set capacity limits to manage your space effectively.

Essential tools for every stage of your screening

From promoting your film night to analyzing your sales, our integrated tools support you from your initial announcement to the final credits.

A crowd watches a film at an outdoor cinema event at night.

Customizable Event Pages

Build a beautiful, mobile-friendly event listing that showcases your film, date, and venue. Add all the key details attendees need for a great experience.

Integrated Marketing Tools

Promote your screening with built-in email marketing and social media integrations. Use Eventbrite Ads to target local moviegoers looking for unique entertainment.

On-Site Management App

Use the Eventbrite Organizer app for seamless QR code scanning and at-the-door sales. Keep your lines moving and get real-time attendance data.

Sales & Attendee Analytics

Track ticket sales in real time with our reporting dashboards. Understand where your audience is coming from to refine your promotion strategy for future screenings.

Eventbrite automatically promotes my events to local buyers — and 15% of our ticket sales come from that exposure.Michelle Harris, Uncorked Wine Festivals

21% of our ticket sales are driven by Eventbrite’s Marketplace. And we saw a 52% jump in average daily ticket sales in four days running an Eventbrite Ads Campaign.Morgan Kilduff, Linganore Wine Cellars

Our attendance tripled from 5,000 to 15,000 in one year, powered by Eventbrite’s marketplace distribution and growth tools.Marcus Hammond, Black Food Truck Festival

Frequently asked questions

Ready to screen your film? Start selling outdoor cinema tickets.

Create your event page for free and use our powerful tools to manage your screening, engage your audience, and sell more tickets.