Bring family and friends to see The Nightmare Before Christmas at Solvang Park on Oct. 2 at dusk. It’s the latest free movie night organized by Solvang Cinema Arts after the sold-out showing of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial on Aug. 28 in Buellton.
Audience members are welcome to bring chairs, blankets, and snacks while they enjoy the film. Presented by the city of Solvang, the event will also have hot chocolate, popcorn, and sweet treats available for purchase.
The organization is sponsored by the Santa Barbara Foundation but is working on becoming its own nonprofit. After the local movie theater closed in 2020, Santa Ynez Valley residents have been without a film venue. The group’s mission is to start a community-owned cinema.
Two more leaders recently joined the Solvang Cinema Arts board of directors. Esther Jacobsen Bates directed the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art for two decades and is now the executive director of Santa Ynez Valley Foundation. The Santa Barbara County Arts Commission awarded Bates the 2026 Leadership in the Arts Award.
Ryland Aldrich also joined the leadership team and brings experience in film production and entrepreneurship. Aldrich spent more than 10 years covering the international film festival circuit, too.
“Esther and Ryland bring exactly the additive deep valley roots and real film industry expertise this effort needs,” co-founder and board director Brooke Christian said in press materials.
To learn more about Solvang Cinema Arts, visit solvangcinemaarts.org.
This article appears in October 1 – October 8, 2026.
