The Wellfleet Drive-In

The Wellfleet Drive-In is proving that this classic form of moviegoing is far from a relic of the past, one summer at a time.

The facility is located at 51 State Highway, Route 6, and features a 100-foot screen, snack bar, minigolf course, a playground and much more.

But what really sets it apart is the fact that it’s been screening since 1957 and stands as the only drive-in on Cape Cod.

The Wellfleet Drive-In still uses the original sound boxes, and moviegoers also have the option of using their car’s stereo for sound.

Films are shown in double-feature format, with an intermission between the two allowing for popcorn top-offs and candy fixes at the snack bar.

It’s recommended you arrive early, and bring extra blankets, bug spray and a positive attitude!

Consider buying your tickets in advance, especially during the midsummer peak season.

Wellfleet Drive-In Season

The Drive-In typically operates from mid-May through mid-September. Weather does not typically cancel screenings unless particularly harsh. If sitting in the car isn’t your thing, Wellfleet Cinemas does own an indoor theater located next door.

Wellfleet Drive-In Show Times

As is the case with regular theaters, show times vary by film length and the order in which they are presented week-to-week. The box office opens at 6:30 every operating night. Count on going home somewhere between 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.; later if films run longer.

Pricing

Adult (ages 12 to 61) tickets cost $9, a song in comparison to many national theater chains. Seniors over 62, and children 4-11, get in for $6 and those 3 and under are not charged.

Be warned, tickets can only be bought with cash. The only thing credit or debit cards can buy here are concessions.

The Guidebook

Here are a few rules Wellfleet Cinemas has for keeping patrons safe and operations rolling smoothly:

• Some things just bear repeating: bring cash for tickets, not plastic!
• If you choose to sit outside your vehicle in a lawn chair, remember to plant yourself directly in front of your vehicle, and try to bring a higher lawn chair as this will greatly improve your line of vision to the screen
• All vehicles, except low-height sedans, must park next to a corresponding pole – Minivans, SUV’s, Crossovers, Pick-ups and Low-height sedans with cargo tops must park next to yellow poles, SUV’s and Crossovers with cargo tops and trucks with racks must park next to green poles – all of this is just to improve everyone’s line of vision.
• Remember to completely turn off your vehicle once parked, as emissions are poisonous in crowded spaces
• Look in your vehicle’s manual ahead of time so you know how to temporarily disable lights and car alarm, and for using your radio without the lights turning on
• Since the speakers are so old, some don’t work properly or at all – count on most working between rows 2-15 – you can test this on arrival by making sure you hear the pre-show music. Consider having a backup fm radio, either your car’s or a separate unit
• Fires and grills are not allowed – crowds and fires aren’t usually recommended
• Lastly, no car horns or lasers!

Wellfleet Drive-In Attractions

The Wellfleet Drive-In has more than just a snack bar. The parking lot hosts a massive year-round flea market during the daytime, changing throughout the seasons. The market features a snack bar, over 200 vendors selling Cape memorabilia, antiques, jewelry and more, seasonal beer garden and a playground. Its open Saturdays and Sundays Mid-May through Columbus Day with Wednesdays and Thursdays added between June 24^th and September 7^th. Off-season, a smaller market is located next door at the Cinemas parking lot.

A minigolf course and soft-serve/hard ice cream is also available on the premises and open during the day. The 18-hole course features the original obstacles from 1961.

The Outer Cape’s Halloween celebration, Trunk-Or-Treat, is typically held at the Wellfleet Drive-In. It allows Cape kids a safe way to trick-or-treat out of the trunks of decorated vehicles parked in a row.

Wellfleet Drive-In History

While drive-ins themselves came about in the early 1930s, John Jentz and Charlie Zehnder opened the Wellfleet Drive-In in July of 1957. It has since gone through the hands of a few different owners. Eleanor Hazen, who owned the drive-in during the 80s, said she had the next-door indoor cinemas built because film distribution companies began refusing to allow drive-ins access to first-run feature films.

The town of Wellfleet approved the construction of indoor cinemas only if they would stay open year-round.