Montreal Is Getting A Giant New Drive-In Theatre This Summer

We won't have to go far for summer fun this year. An all-new drive-in theatre in Montreal is set to host "movie nights, live bands, comedy shows, [specialty] screenings," and other "public gatherings." Organizers claim it will be the "first drive-in event theatre" in Canada.

The venue's website explains that "the site will be completely convertible as to allow for other types of events as the government relaxes gathering protocols."

"Access to events at the Royalmount Drive-In Theatre will finally give Montrealers a chance to offer themselves an hour or two of respite from the mental and physical fatigue of living with the daily threat of the coronavirus," C3 Events and Total Events, the companies behind the initiative, wrote in a press release.

The site, capable of accommodating as many as 250 cars, will include a 30-foot stage and 50-foot LED screen.

The website promises "simultaneously bilingual" programming.

Guests will even be able to "'tailgate' in a predetermined safe zone in front of their own" parked cars.

Visitors can also expect:

• "window service [...] to eliminate the need for guests to leave their vehicles;

• "individual bathroom trailers [that] will be maintained with a team to disinfect after each use;" and

• "premium audio [...] broadcast to each car though their own sound system."

Organizers have already received approval for their plans from the provincial and municipal governments.

They're also "looking to include programming from Cineplex, evenko, Just for Laughs, and many other of the cities top promoters and will be rolling out a full schedule of programming over the next month."

In addition to these potential screenings and performances, the space will be available to rent for corporate events, charities, and graduations.

"The Royalmount Event Theatre [is] located at the nexus of Décarie and Highway 40 at the new Royalmount project."

For Montrealers, this means no longer needing to leave the island for the drive-in movie experience

This isn't the only new ciné-parc popping up in the Montreal area this summer, either.

The South Shore city of Vaudreuil-Dorion is also planning to construct a theatre with two screenings a day.

"The idea for the drive-in was born out of the city council's desire to offer entertainment to its citizens this summer," a Vaudreuil-Dorion communications officer told MTL Blog.

If social distancing requirements lead to a revival of the drive-in, we won't be mad.

The Royalmount Event Theatre is opening on June 21, 2020. 

More information about its programming is coming soon!