RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – Movie nights are back at Sunnylands.
Reopening for a new season on Sept. 15, Sunnylands Center & Gardens is reviving its popular
outdoor movie series, Films in the Gardens, after a two-year hiatus.
The public will have an opportunity to see a movie musical free of charge on three consecutive
Friday evenings, starting at 7:30 p.m. The movies and their screening dates are:
Sept. 17: The Wizard of Oz – The 1939 tale of Kansas runaway Dorothy Gale’s trip to the
Land of Oz made Judy Garland a household name. (Rated G)
Sept. 24: Mary Poppins – A magical nanny (Julie Andrews) brightens the lives of her
charges in turn-of-the-century London. (Rated G)
Oct. 1: Mamma Mia! – In a movie set to the music of the Swedish pop band ABBA, a
bride-to-be (Amanda Seyfried) concocts a plan to reveal the identity of her father.
(Rated PG-13)
Presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Films in the Gardens
(formerly called Films on the Great Lawn) usually takes place bi-annually in the fall and spring.
The movie series was last produced in September 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic
forced a halt to public gatherings the following March.
“We’re delighted to be able to bring movies back to Sunnylands,” said Michaeleen Gallagher,
Sunnylands director of education and environmental programs. “It’s never been more
important to give people an opportunity to enjoy an outdoor activity with family and friends.”
Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnics. Carpooling is
advised. Large coolers, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not permitted. Films may be canceled at
any time due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds. Check
www.sunnylands.org for updates.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens, located at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, features
nine acres of desert gardens, an art exhibition, In Motion: Agam at Sunnylands, a café, and a
gift shop.
Beginning Sept. 15, the property is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited to stroll more than a mile of walking paths, relax on shaded
benches, or use their cell phones to take any of five self-guided audio tours posted to the
Sunnylands website. Visitors may also use the digital Gardens Guide to help with their
exploration of desert plants. Admission is free.
Tickets for tours of the historic Annenberg home, scheduled to resume in October, go on sale at
9 a.m. on Sept. 15 at www.sunnylands.org.
In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest coronavirus guidelines,
all visitors will be asked to wear a face covering while inside Sunnylands buildings. Face
coverings are not required outdoors.
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The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, which operates The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands and
Sunnylands Center & Gardens, is a nonprofit operating entity. The Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands hosts high-level
retreats that address serious issues facing the nation and the world, including the 2013 meeting between President
Obama and President Xi of the People’s Republic of China. Sunnylands also offers programs through Sunnylands
Center & Gardens to educate the public about the history of Sunnylands, its architecture, art collections, cultural
significance, and sustainable practices
