Are There Any Drive-In Movie Theaters in Alaska?
There are technically zero drive-in theaters in Alaska, but Juneau’s Gold Town Nickelodeon sets up an outdoor screen for monthly viewings.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
Although there aren’t any traditional drive-in movie theaters in
Alaska
, you can catch an outdoor flick at one of the pop-up drive-in nights hosted by the Gold Town Nickelodeon in Juneau.Alaska doesn’t exactly have the best conditions for drive-in theaters. During the summer, the midnight sun means it rarely gets dark enough to watch a movie. And during the winter, well, it’s hard to see the screen while it’s snowing.
Still, there’s one venue in Juneau that makes up for the lack of Alaska drive-in movie theaters. Get ready for a night at the Gold Town Nickelodeon with this guide from the
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Gold Town Nickelodeon
Location: Downtown Juneau, at the intersection of Egan Drive and Willoughby Avenue, across the street from KTOO Public Media and Juneau Arts & Humanities Council (JAHC)
Schedule: TBA—outdoor screenings are held monthly, weather permitting, so check the website
Ticket prices: Vary
Number of screens: 1
Pet-friendly?: No (only service K-9s allowed)
Not only is Juneau’s
Gold Town Nickelodeon
the only art-house cinema in Alaska, but it also runs the state’s only somewhat consistent drive-in movie theater experience
. The Gold Town Drive-In is quite new—it got its start when Alaska’s indoor theaters had to shut down because of coronavirus restrictions. Because of the snowy winters and short summer nights in Alaska, the conditions aren’t always ideal for an outdoor movie, so moviegoers need to remain flexible. Keep an eye on the website and the
Facebook page
to see if the drive-in will be open.For the Gold Town Nick’s outdoor screenings, capacity is capped at 200 vehicles per screening.
Movies
The Gold Town Nick Drive-In usually shows classic blockbusters and fan favorites, with a mix of documentaries and indies sprinkled in for good measure. You can also attend mini film festivals, and the drive-in sometimes hosts themed programming around certain holidays.
At the indoor theater, you’ll find art house cinema, foreign films, classic indie flicks, and documentaries.
How to hear the movie
You’ll be able to tune into the film with your vehicle’s FM radio. If your car radio isn’t working, be sure to bring a portable one.
Snacks
Snacks are not sold for the Gold Town Nick’s outdoor screenings. Any food and drink you bring must be kept inside your vehicle at all times. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Rules
If you want to watch a movie under Juneau’s nighttime sky, you’ll need to follow the rules:
- When entering the Gold Town Nick’s lot, you must be in your vehicle—entrance is not permitted by foot, bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle. RVs, trailers, and buses are also prohibited.
- Follow staff’s directions when parking your vehicle. Staff will do their best to accommodate you if you want to be parked near friends, but this is not guaranteed. Once inside the lot, you will not be able to save any spaces for your friends.
- Parking will be based on vehicle height—taller vehicles will be parked at the back, so as not to obstruct others’ views.
- Sitting on top of a vehicle during screenings is not permitted.
The following items are not permitted, and if found, you will be asked to leave:
- Grills
- Coolers
- Firearms or other weapons
- Laser pointers
- Drugs of any kind
- Alcohol
- Glass bottles
MORE: Best road trips in Alaska
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FAQs
How many drive-in theaters are there in Alaska?
Currently, there are no permanent drive-in theaters in Alaska, although the Gold Town Nickelodeon’s outdoor screen operates whenever possible. Some other cities have pop-up drive-in experiences every now and then, too.
Do you have to leave your car on during a drive-in movie?
No. It’s best to leave your car running for just a few minutes after you park, then put the vehicle into Accessory Mode so that you can listen to the radio.
Do drive-in theaters still play in the rain?
Most drive-in theaters do continue to show movies in the rain, but it just depends on the conditions and the theater’s policies. You can call the Gold Town Nick or check their
Facebook page
to see if a show has been canceled due to bad weather.
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