In a city where the sun sets mid-afternoon in the winter, it’s a waste to spend even a minute longer than necessary indoors during the opulently long summer days. You know what to do when it’s light out—skip rocks in the river, ride bikes, hit the lake, re-apply sunblock for the upteenth time, then scout out the best restaurant patio in town—but oh, those summer nights! Here’s your guide to making the most of the season when the sun begins to set.

Movies Under Moonlight

Grab a quilt and head out after dusk to catch an outdoor movie or concert. Each summer brings a full slate of free movies at local parks. Most movies shown are perfect for a family night, though it’s worth reading reviews ahead of time to be sure they’re appropriate for kids.

Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake hosts movies every week in July and August. Spokane Valley Parks & Recreation hosts three free movie screenings in July and August at Mirabeau Park Meadows. Riverfront Park’s $5 outdoor movies began in June and continue through July with showings of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Moana and The Princess Bride. Cheney Parks & Recreation hosts Wednesday night movies and concerts at Sutton Park.

Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake: 

facebook.com/pavillionpark

Mirabeau Park in Spokane Valley: 

spokanevalley.org/moviesinthepark

Riverfront Park in Spokane: 

facebook.com/outdoormoviesatriverfront

Sutton Park in Cheney: 

facebook.com/cheneyparks/

Sunset Sports

Downtown Spokane Partnership has partnered with local fitness companies to offer a free outdoor Summer Workout Series. The drop-in classes will meet at the Tribal Gathering Place next to Spokane City Hall for Pure Barre on Mondays, Body Combat Grit Cardio on Tuesdays, yoga on Wednesdays and family night on Thursdays.

There’s no need to have prior experience or your own equipment—though it’s always a good idea to bring your own yoga mat on Wednesdays. Trained instructors will be available to help answer questions and offer modification options for all skill levels.

Downtown Spokane Partnership: 

downtownspokane.org

Arts Outdoors

Every Thursday in July and August, Coeur d’Alene’s Riverstone Park Amphitheater will fill to the brim for a new kind of entertainment. First, they’ll have show tunes. The next week, a folk-rock band plays. The lineup also includes a Coeur d’Alene Symphony performance, Latin jazz fusion and a funk band.

Venues around the region—too many to name—will host concerts outside at little or no cost throughout the summer. These are just a few options you can drop in on for free.

Hotel RL on the north end of Riverfront Park hosts free concerts Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer. The outdoor stage will feature an eclectic lineup of blues, rock and country bands. In Coeur d’Alene, Live at Parkside offers similar fare.

The long standing tradition of concerts in Browne’s Addition showcases music from around the world, from local legends Angela Marie Project to Celtic band Howling Gaels to Spokane Taiko, a traditional Japanese drum group.

Free performances at Pavillion Park, peppered amid their popular movie nights, range from Shakespeare to rock bands to a September finale by the Spokane Symphony. Cheney’s Sutton Park series alternates its movie nights with a variety of local bands.

Summer Concerts at Riverstone in Coeur d’Alene: artsandculturecda.org

Hotel RL in Spokane: 

facebook.com/HotelRLsummerconcerts

Live at Parkside in Coeur d’Alene: 

facebook.com/liveatparkside

Browne’s Addition in Spokane:

facebook.com/BrownesAddition