Holiday Outdoor Movie Series begins Friday

A free outdoor film festival will be offered during the holiday season. The Holiday Outdoor Movie Series will include eight holiday classic films at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays beginning Friday through Dec. 19 in Straub Park at Beach Drive and Fifth Avenue NE.

Films will be shown north of the Museum of Fine Arts. The film series is sponsored by 400 Beach Drive Merchants, Progress Energy and the city of St. Petersburg.

Films include:

Friday: Miracle On 34th Street, presented by Macy's, (1947) starring Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood;

Saturday: Babes In Toyland, (1934) starring Laurel & Hardy;

Dec. 4: We're No Angels, (1955) starring Humphrey Bogart;

Dec. 5: White Christmas, (1954) starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye;

Dec. 11: Holiday Inn, (1942) starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire;

Dec. 12: A Christmas Story, (1983) starring Melinda Dillon and Peter Billingsley;

Dec. 18: The Shop Around the Corner, (1940) starring Jimmy Stewart;

Dec. 19: It's A Wonderful Life, (1946) starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.

The outdoor film series kicks off after the downtown holiday tree-lighting ceremony Friday.

Moviegoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Refreshments, including popcorn, coffee and hot chocolate will be available for purchase.