Summer 2025 promises to be truly exciting for film lovers! From cozy open-air screenings in parks to large-scale international film festivals under the stars, this season is filled with cinematic events across Europe. In this guide, you’ll find the most interesting summer film screenings of 2025, including ticket information, screening formats, and unique venues where cinema comes to life outdoors.
Locarno Film Festival
Locarno Film Festival is one of the oldest and most respected film festivals in Europe. It is known for its bold programming and open-air screenings on the grand Piazza Grande. The Locarno International Film Festival is one of the largest international film events, held annually in Locarno, Switzerland. Founded in 1946, the festival includes both competitive and non-competitive sections featuring narrative films, documentaries, short films, avant-garde works, and retrospectives.
One of the festival’s most iconic sections is Piazza Grande, an open-air venue that accommodates up to 8,000 spectators.
The main award of the festival is the Golden Leopard, presented to the best film in the International Competition. Other awards include the Leopard of Honour for lifetime achievement and the Prix du Public (Audience Award).
Festival Passes:
Standard
For film enthusiasts
Access to all screenings, including Piazza Grande and competition sections.
CHF 300
Student
Full access for students under 30
For students and trainees — full access to all venues and screenings.
CHF 120
Senior
Discount for ages 65+
Full access to all festival events.
CHF 250
Free public transport in Ticino and Menton (France)
Seat reservations available at selected venues
Day Passes:
Standard Day Pass
A day of cinema in Locarno
Access to all screenings and events for one day.
CHF 45
Student Day Pass
One-day access for students and trainees under 30
CHF 30
20% discount when arriving by public transport from German- or French-speaking Switzerland
Single Ticket
One-time entry for an open-air or indoor screening
CHF 17.00
Dates: 6–16 August 2025
Location: Locarno, Switzerland
Website: locarnofestival.ch
Karlovy Vary Film Festival
Karlovy Vary Film Festival is the premier film stage of Central Europe, held in the spa town of Karlovy Vary. The program includes international premieres, retrospectives, and debuts by emerging directors.
Standard film tickets:
Full price: 140 CZK
Discounted: 120 CZK *with valid ID
In addition to individual tickets, festival passes are available, offering access to more screenings and the ability to reserve seats in advance.
Dates: 4–12 July 2025
Location: Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Website: kviff.com
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Edinburgh International Film Festival is the world’s oldest continually running film festival, held in the capital of Scotland. It is known for its focus on independent and auteur cinema. In 2024, the festival was relaunched in a new format under the direction of a newly formed board of leading film industry professionals. Honoring over 70 years of history, EIFF now showcases the best of contemporary cinema in a revitalized format rooted in Scottish culture while embracing global creative diversity.
Full ticket: £15.00
Concession: £13.00
*Concession tickets are available for students, seniors, unemployed individuals, and persons with disabilities upon presentation of valid ID.
Dates: 14–20 August 2025
Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Website: edfilmfest.org.uk
Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world and part of the Venice Biennale. It takes place on the Lido and is considered one of the most prestigious film events alongside Cannes and Berlin.
The 82nd Venice International Film Festival is organized by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera. It will take place on the Lido di Venezia from August 27 to September 6, 2025. The festival is officially recognized by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations).
The goal of the festival is to promote international cinema in all its forms—as art, as entertainment, and as an industry—in a spirit of freedom and dialogue. One section is dedicated to the restoration of classic films as a contribution to better understanding the history of cinema.
Tickets
Discounts are available for visitors under 26, over 65, and Biennale Card 2025 holders with valid documentation.
Sala Grande
4:30 PM – Full price: €160
7:00 PM Platea – Full price: €500, Concession: €425
7:00 PM Gallery – Full price: €1600
9:30 PM – Full price: €300, Concession: €250
Combo ticket 7:00 PM + 9:30 PM – Full price: €650, Concession: €545
PalaBiennale
2:30 PM – Full price: €100, Concession: €80
5:00 PM – Full price: €120, Concession: €90
8:00 PM (Double screening) – Full price: €220, Concession: €180
Sala Darsena
2:00 PM – Full price: €80, Concession: €70
5:00 PM – Full price: €80, Concession: €70
Sala Giardino
5:00 PM – Full price: €80, Concession: €70
9:00 PM – Full price: €90, Concession: €80
Sala Corinto
All time slots – Full price: €50, Concession: €40
Sala Casinò
3:00 PM – Full price: €50, Concession: €40
Sala Perla
2:00 PM – Full price: €50, Concession: €40
5:00 PM – Full price: €50, Concession: €40
Sala Volpi
5:00 PM – Full price: €40, Concession: €30
Dates: August 27 – September 6, 2025
Location: Venice, Italy
Website: labiennale.org
Summer Berlinale (Freiluftkino Friedrichshain)
Summer Berlinale (Freiluftkino Friedrichshain) features evening screenings of Berlinale highlights in an open-air setting. Four selected premieres are shown in a cozy atmosphere under the stars.
Tickets are available online and on-site. It’s recommended to book in advance, especially on warm days.
Dates: July 8–11, 2025
Location: Freiluftkino Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
Website: freiluftkino-friedrichshain.de
Filmfest München
Filmfest München is Germany’s largest summer film festival and second in importance after the Berlinale. It showcases European and international premieres as well as debut films by emerging directors. It has been held annually since 1983 in late June or early July. The program includes narrative features and feature-length documentaries.
Tickets are available online (WebShop) and at festival box offices. Standard screenings in participating cinemas:
Standard ticket: €14.50
Supporter ticket: €16.00*
Reduced ticket: €10.00
*The “Supporter” ticket helps support the festival with an added contribution.
Morning Movies and Public Day:
All categories: €10.00
Events at Deutsches Theater (from 4:30 PM):
Standard ticket: €18.50
Supporter ticket: €22.00*
Reduced ticket: €14.00
CineKindl (children’s program):
In participating cinemas: €7.00
At Deutsches Theater: €10.00
Dates: June 27 – July 6, 2025
Location: Munich, Germany
Website: filmfest-muenchen.de
Music Film Festival (Rathausplatz)
Music Film Festival features nightly screenings of music films on a giant screen in the heart of Vienna. These free open-air screenings are paired with a culinary festival. Starting June 28, the square in front of Vienna City Hall (Rathausplatz) will be transformed for the 35th time into a celebration of music cinema—from pop and rock to opera, classical, and jazz. This anniversary edition will feature a refreshed program and updated layout.
This is one of the most popular summer events in the heart of the city and Europe’s largest cultural and culinary festival with free admission. The Music Film Festival at Rathausplatz has been held since 1991 between Vienna City Hall and the Ringstrasse boulevard.
No tickets are required. Admission is free and seating is open to everyone.
Dates: June 28 – August 31, 2025
Location: Rathausplatz, Vienna, Austria
Website: wien.info
European Outdoor Film Tour (EOFT)
European Outdoor Film Tour (EOFT) is a legendary festival of extreme and adventure films, touring more than 400 venues across Europe. The program features inspiring stories and documentaries about nature, mountains, and people pushing their limits.
Tickets are available on the official EOFT website. Dates and venues vary by city.
Dates: Summer to Fall 2025
Location: Various venues across Europe
Website: eoft.eu
