Free Fall Movie Nights Return to Tomball Depot Plaza With ‘Puss in Boots,’ ‘Wicked’ and a Holiday Community Choice
For families looking for an easy night out close to home, downtown Tomball will once again turn into an outdoor movie theater this fall.
The City of Tomball is bringing back its 2nd Saturday at the Depot Movie Nights for September, October and November 2026, pairing family-friendly films with games, themed activities, giveaways and free popcorn at Tomball Depot Plaza, located at 201 S. Elm St.
The fall lineup begins Saturday, Sept. 12, with “Puss in Boots,” followed by “Wicked” on Saturday, Oct. 10, during Tomball’s Spooktacular Halloween festivities. The season wraps up Saturday, Nov. 14, with residents helping choose the holiday movie from three familiar favorites: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Elf” or “The Santa Clause.”
Admission, activities and popcorn are free.
A Tomball Tradition Built Around a Simple Night Together
The appeal of 2nd Saturday at the Depot has always been fairly uncomplicated: bring a lawn chair or blanket, find a place on the grass and spend an evening downtown with neighbors.
The City of Tomball schedules the series on select second Saturdays in the spring and fall, with 2026 movie nights taking place in March, April, May, September, October and November. The screenings are shown on a 17-foot LED screen, with pre-movie activities designed for children and families.
Earlier this year, the spring series brought crowds downtown for “Lilo & Stitch,” “Shrek” and “A Minecraft Movie.”The March event included hula dancing, interactive games, giveaways and complimentary popcorn, while April’s rainy weather moved the festivities indoors without canceling the evening. May closed the spring schedule with outdoor games, popcorn, snow cones and the Minecraft screening.
Those evenings are part of a broader effort by the city to use the historic Tomball Depot area as a gathering place rather than simply an event venue. A movie on the lawn may be a small thing, but for parents trying to entertain children without adding another expensive outing to the family calendar, the free admission matters. For downtown businesses, the recurring events also bring residents and visitors into the heart of Tomball for an evening.
Fall 2026 Tomball Movie Night Schedule
The first fall movie night arrives Sept. 12 with the 2011 animated adventure “Puss in Boots.” Families can arrive early for themed pre-show activities before watching the film on the Depot Plaza’s large outdoor screen.
On Oct. 10, the series takes on a Halloween-season feel with “Wicked.” The screening will be held in conjunction with Tomball’s Spooktacular Halloween festival, giving families another reason to make an evening of their downtown visit.
Then, on Nov. 14, the audience gets a say.
The city is asking the community to select the final movie of the season from “Elf,” “The Santa Clause” and “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” During the spring movie series, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” had taken an early lead in voting, according to city updates.
Residents can follow Tomball’s tourism social media accounts for voting and additional announcements as the November event gets closer.
What Families Should Know Before Heading to Tomball Depot Plaza
The city’s fall announcement lists the films for 6 p.m., while Tomball’s official 2nd Saturday event information describes screenings as beginning just before dusk and encourages families to arrive early for activities and seating. The September city calendar lists the overall event window from 5 to 9 p.m.
There is no assigned seating, so lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Families are also welcome to bring their own snacks, and restaurants across from the Depot provide additional food options. Pets may attend if they remain leashed, while outside alcohol and glass bottles are prohibited. Children age 12 and younger must be supervised by someone who is at least 16.
Parking is available along Market Street and in the nearby lot next to the Harris County Tax Office. Public restrooms are available at the Depot Plaza. If severe weather makes an outdoor screening impractical, the city says movie nights may be moved to the Tomball Community Center.
Three More Saturdays to Gather Downtown
For Tomball families, the return of 2nd Saturday Movie Nights means three more opportunities to spend an evening outside as the weather begins to ease out of the hottest part of the Texas summer.
There is no ticket to buy and no complicated itinerary to plan. Families can bring a blanket, settle onto the lawn, let the kids enjoy the activities and watch a movie together beneath the lights of downtown Tomball.
That simplicity has become part of what makes the series work.
The fall 2026 2nd Saturday at the Depot schedule begins Sept. 12 at Tomball Depot Plaza, 201 S. Elm St. in Tomball. Admission, scheduled activities and popcorn are free.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional Tomball events, community happenings and updates as each fall movie night approaches.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.