The Galileo Open Air Cinema has become an essential Cape Town summer experience.
Watching a classic movie under the stars in one of the many iconic locations in the Mother City is the ultimate date night, and what better way to affirm this by kicking off their 8th season with A Star Is Born.
For someone who loves the outdoors but also enjoys a good movie in the comfort of home, The Galileo Open Air Cinema has the best of both worlds. We arrived just before dawn to make sure to secure a nice spot and grab some snacks. The organisation was well thought-out, the team effectively guided us from the entrance to picking up the back-rests and blankets to a spot of our choice.
Entertainment set the mood for a fun-filled build-up to the movie. Performers from the ZipZap Circus welcomed the guests alongside The Galileo team making sure to lighten up everyone’s faces with smiles! There was so much more to see than just a movie.
Backrests and blankets are provided at an affordable cost to make your experience comfortable. It is however recommended to bring additional blankets as it gets cooler during the night. You can also opt for the ultimate treat yourself VIP package which includes reserved premium seating, a drink and Frey chocolate. Couples can choose the Snuggle front row package for a mattress, 2 blankets and pillows and Frey Chocolates.
The Galileo added a mini food-market with vendors selling a wide array of gourmet movie treats and drinks, a cut above the normal cinema snacks. Pizzas, burgers, shawarmas, popcorn, coffee, craft beers…we were spoiled for choice. Make a choice quickly as the line gets fuller the longer you wait! We went for Nachos and samoosas and they were both delicious.
The setting speaks for itself, Kirstenbosch is an incredible location. Lounging in the garden waiting for the movie to begin is an experience in itself. The backdrop of the sun setting behind Table Mountain was unreal. We usually take the views in Cape Town for granted but this was a reminder of how lucky we are to live in such an incredibly beautiful city.
The seats were decently comfortable but I would recommend bringing a pillow for extra comfort if you are going to watch a long movie. The night began with live music by a talented local artist followed by a performance by the ZipZap performers. It was so much better than long and boring advertising at conventional cinemas.
The weather was perfect that night, quiet with a cool breeze, ideal to cozy up and watch a great movie with your loved ones. The projection and sound quality were perfect and as good as a traditional cinema. For a movie like A Star Is Born, the audio needed to be on point and it was!
I can’t wait to visit the many other venues around Cape Town. The Galileo is definitely a must-see, a unique concept executed amazingly well. The team is passionate about what they do and it shows in the quality of their product. From beginning to end everything is meticulously taken care of to make sure the customer is satisfied. Even the dropping of blankets and backrests was quick and effective at the end!
Whether it is a date night, a family outing or by yourself, The Galileo is an absolute treat for every occasion.
Make sure to book your tickets to your favourite classic movie online as shows usually sell out!
Details and Prices
- Standard – R109
- Warm – R117
- Comfy – R125
- Warm & Comfy – R130
- VIP – R195
- Snuggle – R360
