Revel in a summer evening in Hillwood’s luscious gardens and experience an outdoor film like nowhere else in D.C. 

Explore the gardens and collection at Hillwood before taking in Moonstruck, in which a Brooklyn widow, Loretta (Cher), finds herself falling for her fiancé’s hot-tempered, estranged younger brother, Ronny (Nicolas Cage).

Help set a festive atmosphere in our best picnic spread competition. Our judges are charmed by:

• Themed spreads with connections to the film
• 1980s fashion and character look-alikes
• Props including tablecloths, flameless candelabras, and centerpieces

The winner will receive an annual membership to Hillwood and the admiration of fellow film-goers.

This event is rain or shine. In the event of rain, the screening will be moved to indoor locations.

EVENT TIMELINE

5-5:30 p.m. | Pick up the perfect memento in the museum shop

5:30-8:30 p.m. | Explore Hillwood

• Enjoy the mansion, gardens, and greenhouse
• Visit Hillwood's newest exhibition Glass: Art. Beauty. Design.
• Picnic in style on the Lunar Lawn

8-8:30 p.m. | Judging for best picnic spread. Winners will be announced before the film.

About 8:45 p.m. | Moonstruck begins

Until about 9:30 p.m. | Purchase sandwiches, snacks and beverages (including beer and wine) from Merriweather To Go

About 10:30 p.m. | Hillwood closes after film ends

PICNICKING INFORMATION 

• Please bring your own picnic blankets or lawn chairs for seating on the lawn. 
• Picnicking is welcome at this event. Please note our liquor license does not allow patrons to bring in outside alcohol.  
• Food and drinks, including beer and wine, will be available from Merriweather To Go. 

ABOUT THE FILM

In this glowingly atmospheric comedy, a young Italian-American woman, bitter after having been widowed by a speeding bus, makes a practical decision to marry a longtime friend for stability and security, even though her feelings for him are tepid at best. But when she falls in love with her fiancé’s estranged one-handed younger brother, screwball sparks fly.