Movie Monday at Colony Square: Your Atlanta Guide to Outdoor Films in Midtown

Movie Monday at Colony Square has become one of Midtown Atlanta’s most laid-back summer traditions: outdoor movies, skyline views, and plenty of food and drink options, all in a central, transit-friendly location. If you’re planning an evening at Movie Monday at Colony Square, or trying to understand how it fits into Atlanta’s broader summer movie and concert scene, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.

What Is Movie Monday at Colony Square?

Movie Monday is a recurring outdoor film series hosted in the open-air Plaza at Colony Square in Midtown. It typically runs on select Mondays during the warmer months and features family-friendly or crowd-pleasing movies shown on a large outdoor screen.

Key things to know:

• Location: Colony Square, 1197 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30361
• Setting: Outdoor plaza surrounded by restaurants, offices, and residences
• Vibe: Casual, urban, and social—think “block party meets movie night”
• Audience: Midtown residents, Atlanta locals, families, date nights, and visiting travelers looking for an easy, car-free evening option

The event is designed to feel like a neighborhood living room in the middle of the city: you show up, grab food from nearby spots, claim a seat on the lawn or plaza, and watch the movie under the Midtown lights.

When Movie Monday Usually Happens

Exact dates and movie titles change from year to year, but patterns are fairly consistent.

Typical Seasonal Timing

Most Movie Monday series in Atlanta, including Colony Square’s, tend to:

• Run in late spring through early fall
• Take place on select Monday evenings (often monthly or a short mini-series)
• Start around dusk, with pre-movie activities beforehand

Because sunset times and programming shift, the start time usually moves slightly across the season. Many guests aim to arrive 30–60 minutes early to get a comfortable spot and grab dinner.

💡 Local tip: In Atlanta, outdoor movie series can be rescheduled or canceled due to summer thunderstorms. It’s wise to check same-day event updates for any weather-related changes.

Where in Atlanta: Getting to Colony Square

Colony Square sits at the heart of Midtown, making Movie Monday especially convenient if you prefer to avoid long drives or suburban venues.

Address & Basic Info

Colony Square – Midtown Atlanta
1197 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30361

You’ll find the main Plaza—where Movie Monday screenings are typically hosted—between the residential and office towers, near the cluster of restaurants and the lawn-style seating area.

Getting There by MARTA

For Atlanta locals and visitors trying to avoid parking hassles, MARTA is often the easiest choice:

• Rail:
  • Take the Red or Gold line to Arts Center Station
  • Walk about 5–10 minutes south along Peachtree St NE to Colony Square
• Buses: Several Midtown routes serve the Peachtree corridor. Riders can connect through Arts Center Station or North Avenue Station depending on their route.

Using MARTA can be especially helpful on busy event nights when Midtown traffic and parking decks are fuller.

Driving and Parking

If you’re driving:

• Colony Square has on-site parking decks with vehicle entrances off nearby streets around the complex.
• Rates vary, but event nights can be busy—plan extra time to park and make your way to the Plaza.

General Atlanta guidance:

• Midtown can be congested during weekday rush hour; if Movie Monday coincides with office traffic, consider arriving early or taking MARTA.
• Rideshare pickups and drop-offs are common around the Peachtree corridor—use a side street if the main entrance is crowded.

What to Expect at Movie Monday in Midtown

Movie Monday at Colony Square has its own character compared with other Atlanta outdoor movies in parks or suburban shopping centers.

Atmosphere & Crowd

Expect:

• Mixed ages: Young professionals, families, couples, and groups of friends
• Urban energy: You’re watching a movie in the middle of Midtown’s high-rises, not a remote park
• Food-centric experience: Many people incorporate dinner and drinks into the night

The Plaza is designed as a pedestrian space, with built-in seating, turf, and open areas where organizers may set up chairs or encourage blankets.

Movie Types

Exact titles change each season, but common themes include:

• Popular family-friendly films
• Throwback favorites from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s
• Feel-good comedies, adventure films, or seasonal picks

Movies are usually chosen to appeal to a broad Atlanta audience, making it easy to attend without overthinking the selection.

Food, Drinks, and Nearby Amenities

One of the biggest advantages of Movie Monday at Colony Square over some park-based events is food access.

Dining Options

Within or directly around Colony Square you’ll typically find:

• Full-service restaurants suitable for a pre-movie sit-down meal
• Fast-casual spots for quick bites to take into the Plaza
• Dessert and coffee options for after the film or during a break

Because outlets and menus can change, check what’s open on Monday evenings, but generally the complex is set up for after-work and evening crowds.

Can You Bring Your Own Food?

Policies can vary by year and by event organizer. Common Atlanta patterns include:

• Many outdoor movie series allow outside snacks or non-alcoholic drinks.
• Some private or semi-private plazas encourage guests to purchase from on-site vendors instead.

If you’re planning a picnic-style setup, it’s smart to:

• Bring easily portable items that don’t require reheating
• Use closed containers and bottles to minimize spills
• Avoid glass containers, which are commonly restricted at outdoor events in Atlanta

Alcohol Rules

Alcohol rules at Movie Monday are generally shaped by:

• Local ordinances in the City of Atlanta
• Venue policies at Colony Square

In Midtown, outdoor plazas connected to mixed-use developments may have more structured rules about where alcoholic beverages can be carried and consumed. If alcohol is sold on-site, it may need to stay within designated areas.

When in doubt, look for posted signs or ask a staff member at the event before bringing or carrying drinks into the movie viewing area.

What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)

To make your Movie Monday experience smoother, prepare as you would for other outdoor screenings around Atlanta—but with a few Midtown-specific considerations.

Recommended Items

• Portable seating:
  • Low-profile lawn chairs or blankets work well, depending on what’s allowed on the Plaza.
• Light layers:
  • Atlanta summers stay warm, but late evenings can feel breezy in shaded urban spaces.
• Portable fan or hand-held fan (optional):
  • Humidity can still be noticeable even at night.
• Bug spray:
  • Midtown has fewer grassy fields than parks like Piedmont, but some people still prefer light insect repellent.
• Water bottle:
  • Staying hydrated is important during Atlanta summers, even at night.

Items to Avoid

Common restrictions at Atlanta outdoor events include:

• Glass bottles or containers
• Large umbrellas or tall lawn chairs that block views
• Pets, depending on Colony Square’s policies and crowd size
• Smoking or vaping in shared seating areas

Because Colony Square is a privately managed property rather than a public park, enforcement can be more consistent. It’s smart to pack with a minimal, crowd-friendly mindset.

How Movie Monday Fits into Atlanta’s Summer Movie & Concert Scene

Movie Monday at Colony Square is part of a bigger Atlanta tradition of enjoying films and live music outdoors, especially between late spring and early fall.

Other Popular Atlanta Outdoor Series (for Context)

While this guide focuses on Colony Square, locals often compare it with:

• Movies in the Park in various metro-area communities (e.g., city and county parks across the region)
• Outdoor concert series at parks and amphitheaters in and around Atlanta
• Piedmont Park events, which may include special film or music nights
• Mixed-use developments like The Battery Atlanta or Avalon (outside city limits), which sometimes run parallel movie or concert series

Compared with many of these, Movie Monday at Colony Square offers:

• A more urban, transit-friendly setting
• Easy access to Midtown’s restaurants, hotels, and arts venues
• A convenient option for residents of Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and nearby neighborhoods who prefer not to drive far

Family-Friendly Considerations

If you’re bringing kids to Movie Monday, planning ahead can help the evening go more smoothly.

Kid-Focused Tips

• Movie rating: Check the rating beforehand to make sure it matches your family’s comfort level.
• Seating: Families often prefer sitting toward the back or sides so children can stand or move around without disturbing others.
• Restrooms: One advantage of a Midtown plaza over a park is easier access to restrooms within the complex.
• Noise sensitivity: The sound system is designed to cover the Plaza, but some children may benefit from light ear protection if they’re sensitive to volume.

Parents in Atlanta often appreciate Movie Monday as a low-cost, low-effort way to entertain kids without committing to a full-priced theater ticket.

Planning Your Evening Around Midtown

Since you’re already in Midtown, Movie Monday can be part of a bigger evening in the city.

Pair It with Nearby Attractions

Before or after the movie, consider:

• A quick stroll up or down Peachtree Street to see Midtown’s skyline and public art
• A visit to Arts Center Station area, which connects to the Woodruff Arts Center (home to the High Museum of Art and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra), depending on event times and your schedule
• A short hop by MARTA or rideshare to neighborhoods like West Midtown or Old Fourth Ward for a nightcap or dessert if you’re staying out later

For visitors staying in Midtown hotels, Movie Monday can be a walkable, low-planning evening option that doesn’t require driving around an unfamiliar city at night.

Quick Reference: Movie Monday at Colony Square

Is Movie Monday at Colony Square Right for You?

Movie Monday is especially appealing if you:

• Live in or near Midtown, Downtown, or the BeltLine-adjacent neighborhoods
• Prefer MARTA or short rideshare trips over long drives to the suburbs
• Like pairing a movie with dinner and drinks rather than packing a full picnic
• Want an outdoor activity that still feels very “city of Atlanta”—skyscrapers, lights, and all

For locals, it becomes an easy recurring outing. For visitors, it’s a simple way to experience Atlanta’s summer social life without leaving the city core.

If you’re planning a summer in Atlanta or building a seasonal bucket list, Movie Monday at Colony Square is a straightforward, Midtown-friendly option to add alongside other summer concert series and movies in the park around the metro area.