Movies in the Park: Toy Story

Movies in the Park is bringing Toy Story to Dove Springs District Park on Saturday, November 21, as part of the Austin Parks Foundation's citywide cinema series. The screening is free, and the whole thing kicks off at 3 PM with activities and vendors on site before the movie starts.

If you're not familiar with the series, it's a partnership between the Austin Parks Foundation and Rocket Cinema that's been bringing movie nights to neighborhood parks across Austin for more than a decade. The setup is pretty straightforward: a big screen in a local park, a crowd of people with blankets and lawn chairs, and a family-friendly movie. Toy Story is a classic for a reason, and it's the kind of thing that works well in an outdoor setting, especially when you've got kids and pets in the mix.

Speaking of pets, leashed dogs are welcome at some locations, so it's worth checking if you're planning to bring yours along. And there's a nice little perk to arrive early: around 100 free bags of popcorn are handed out at each screening, courtesy of Cornucopia Popcorn of Austin. Since those are first-come, first-served, getting there closer to 3 PM is your best bet if you want a bag.

One thing to keep in mind is that movie start times vary, and the picture begins at dusk. With the sun setting later or earlier depending on the time of year, the exact moment the movie rolls can shift, so don't expect a strict start time. The activities and vendors start at 3 PM, and the screening itself runs from 5 PM to 7 PM. It's a free event, so just bring your own seating and settle in for the evening.