For dog owners looking for the ultimate outdoor summer outing, grab a picnic blanket and your dog’s favourite treats—Moonlight Cinema is officially back for its 2026/27 season, and our four-legged best friends are welcome to join the fun under the stars.
Running across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane, Moonlight Cinema continues its 30-year summer tradition in picturesque open-air parklands. Best of all for our community, well-behaved dogs on leashes are warmly welcomed across all four featured East Coast and South Australian venues (note: Perth remains the only non-dog-friendly location).
Why It’s the Perfect Dog-Friendly Night Out
A night at Moonlight Cinema is tailor-made for pups who love lounging outdoors in the cool evening breeze:
✔ Room to Stretch and Sniff: Gates open 90 minutes before screening times, giving you plenty of daylight to stroll the grounds, explore the parkland, and let your dog settle into the grass before the opening credits roll.
✔ Dog-Safe Picnics Encouraged: You are welcome to pack your own picnic hampers filled with treats for you and your pup. BYO alcohol is permitted at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide (Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane is fully licensed, so BYO alcohol is not permitted there).
✔ Order Direct via QR Code: Every venue offers an on-site bar and kitchen, allowing you to easily order hot food, snacks, and drinks directly from your phone until 15 minutes before the pre-show begins.
✔ Dog-Friendly Upgrades: Four-legged guests aren't just limited to picnic blankets on the lawn—they are welcome across upgraded seating categories alongside their owners, too.
Locations & Season Dates
Moonlight Cinema’s dog-friendly venues run right through the summer and autumn months:
- Sydney: Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Parklands
Dates: Wednesday 25 November 2026 – Sunday 28 March 2027 - Melbourne: Central Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Dates: Wednesday 2 December 2026 – Sunday 11 April 2027 - Adelaide: Botanic Park Adelaide
Dates: Thursday 26 November 2026 – Sunday 14 February 2027 - Brisbane: The Amphitheatre, Roma Street Parkland
Dates: Friday 4 December 2026 – Sunday 14 February 2027 (Note: Brisbane is fully licensed; no BYO alcohol).
What’s on the Big Screen: November & December Highlights
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| Arrive early at golden hour to claim your spot on the grass, unpack your dog’s picnic blanket, and watch the sun go down before the movie begins. |
The 2026/27 program kicks off with major Hollywood titles, festive Christmas favourites, and exclusive previews:
- Season Opener: The hotly anticipated blockbuster The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens the season across all cities between late November and early December.
- Festive Films (11–23 December): Holiday traditions under the stars include Home Alone, Home Alone 2, The Holiday, Love Actually, The Polar Express, Elf, Arthur Christmas, and Johnny Depp's new London ghost story Ebenezer.
- New Releases & Hollywood Hits: Screenings include thriller Verity (starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett), Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (screenplay by Australian author Diana Reid), Practical Magic 2, The Social Reckoning, Klara and the Sun, Wicker, Primetime, Wild Horse 9, and Focker in Law.
- Previews & Family Titles: Sneak peeks of A Talent for Murder (starring Helen Mirren) on 6 December, Disney’s Hexed on Boxing Day, and Cat in the Hat on 30 December.
- Open Caption Screenings: Select accessible dates include Practical Magic 2 (Sydney, 26 Nov), The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (all cities, 9 Dec), and Love Actually (all cities, 17 Dec).
Seating Tiers & Dog Etiquette
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| Editor’s Choice: Upgrade your evening under the stars with reserved bean beds and seamless QR-code delivery right to your patch of grass. |
Guests can choose from multiple comfort levels:
- General Admission: Bring your own picnic rugs, cushions, and dog beds to claim your patch of grass.
- Connoisseur Lounge: Includes a reserved bean bed in a dedicated lounge area, plus a complimentary Connoisseur Gourmet Ice Cream.
- GWM Gold Grass: Premium bean beds in prime viewing spots with express entry and pre-show QR-code waiter service straight to your bed.
- Platinum Experience (Sydney & Melbourne only): A deluxe double bean bed for two in the best viewing area, complete with express entry, drinks on arrival, two blankets, a snack box, and seat service.
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| Editor's Note: Big fans of the fish tacos here! Order ahead via the QR code so you can settle in with your pup and let dinner come to you. |
Paws & Etiquette Tip: While dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome, they must remain on a lead and under owner supervision at all times. Bring a portable water bowl, a cosy dog blanket for cooler evening breezes, waste bags, and a chew toy or lick mat to keep them happy and calm throughout the film.
Essential Details
- Tickets: On sale now at moonlight.com.au (Cinebuzz members receive exclusive discounts; joining online is free).
- Gates Open: 90 minutes before scheduled screening times.
- Socials: Follow @moonlightcinema on Instagram and TikTok for weather updates and session announcements.


