Free outdoor entertainment is on the horizon in Santa Maria. Families are invited to neighborhood parks for three film screenings in September and October. Showtime is at dusk, so audience members are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
On Sept. 18 watch The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants at Machado Plaza, located at 224 W. Chapel St.
Barbie is the feature film on Sept. 25 followed by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on Oct. 2 at Rotary Centennial Park, 2625 S. College Drive.
“Each pre-movie event will feature activities inspired by the evening’s film, including a SpongeBob-themed Krabby Patty Challenge, a Barbie catwalk fashion show, a Mario Kart balloon pop race, and more,” the city announced.
Arrive by 6:30 p.m. for the games prior to each movie.
The movie nights are organized through the city’s Recreation and Parks Department and supported by Driscoll’s Berries, Vallarta Supermarkets, and People for Leisure and Youth Inc.
For more information about the events, call (805) 925-0951, Ext. 2260, or email Recreation Services Manager Dennis Smitherman at dsmitherman@cityofsantamaria.org.
This article appears in September 17 – September 24, 2026.
