As of 2026, the list of drive-in theaters in NJ is down to one: the Delsea Drive-In at 2203 South Delsea Drive in Vineland, Cumberland County. It has two screens, shows double features with sound on your FM car radio, and runs a seasonal schedule that its own FAQ describes as mid-March through November, mostly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. That makes late October one of the last chances of the year to see a movie from your car in the state where the drive-in was invented. The world’s first drive-in opened on June 6, 1933, on Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Pennsauken Township, just outside Camden.
Key Takeaways
- One drive-in left: the Delsea Drive-In in Vineland is the only drive-in movie theater still operating in New Jersey.
- Birthplace of the drive-in: Richard Hollingshead Jr. opened the first drive-in on June 6, 1933, near Camden.
- Season: the Delsea opened its 2026 season on April 3 and typically runs into November.
- Tickets: sold online only, and they are non-refundable.
- Sound: tune your car or a portable radio to the posted FM signal.
- Outside food: allowed only with a purchased food permit.
- Nearby options: Pennsylvania and New York have several drive-ins within a day trip of New Jersey.
Details were checked against the Delsea Drive-In’s website and FAQ, New Jersey Monthly, NJ 101.5, History.com and the Cumberland County Historical Society in September 2026. Schedules change weekly, so confirm dates and showtimes with the theater before you go.
Drive-In Theaters in NJ: Where to Go in 2026
New Jersey once had dozens of drive-ins, according to New Jersey Monthly. Today, only the Delsea remains, and local outlets including NJ 101.5, WOBM and Explore Cumberland County all describe it as the state’s only drive-in. As a result, any search for drive-in theaters in NJ leads to Vineland.
| Detail | Delsea Drive-In |
|---|---|
| Address | 2203 South Delsea Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360 |
| County | Cumberland |
| Screens | Two |
| Car capacity | About 375 cars on Screen 1 and 200 to 220 on Screen 2 (NJ 101.5, 2023) |
| Format | Double features, with occasional triple features |
| Sound | FM radio in your car or a portable radio |
| Tickets | Online only, through the theater’s “Now Playing” page |
| Phone | 856-696-0011 |
Explore Cumberland County notes that the Delsea is within about an hour of Atlantic City, Philadelphia and Delaware. For North Jersey residents, however, the trip is much longer, which is why many families there also look at drive-ins across the state line.
History of the Delsea Drive-In
The Delsea opened on April 29, 1949, under owner Milton Smith, and its first film was Drums, according to New Jersey Monthly and the Cumberland County Historical Society. It changed hands several times and closed in 1987.
In 2003, John and Jude DeLeonardis bought the property, and the theater reopened in June 2004. The owners added a second screen and a larger concession menu, which the historical society credits with keeping the business going. In addition, New Jersey Monthly reported that the theater installed solar panels in 2011 that supply about two-thirds of its electricity.
New Jersey: Birthplace of the Drive-In
The drive-in is a New Jersey invention. Richard Hollingshead Jr., a sales manager at his father’s Whiz Auto Products company in Camden, first tested the idea in his driveway in Riverton. He set a projector on the hood of his car and showed a movie on a screen hung from trees, with his family watching from the car.
He filed for a patent on August 6, 1932, and received U.S. Patent 1,909,537 on May 16, 1933. Weeks later, on June 6, 1933, his theater opened on Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Pennsauken Township, near Camden and the old Central Airport. The first film was Wives Beware, starring Adolphe Menjou.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| August 6, 1932 | Hollingshead files his drive-in patent application |
| May 16, 1933 | U.S. Patent 1,909,537 is granted |
| June 6, 1933 | First drive-in opens on Admiral Wilson Boulevard, Pennsauken |
| April 29, 1949 | Delsea Drive-In opens in Vineland |
| Late 1950s to mid-1960s | Drive-in heyday, with about 5,000 theaters nationwide (History.com) |
| 1987 | Delsea closes |
| June 2004 | Delsea reopens under the DeLeonardis family |
| April 3, 2026 | Delsea opens its 2026 season |
Admission at the first drive-in was 25 cents per car plus 25 cents per person, with a maximum of one dollar per group, according to History.com. The original theater lasted only a few seasons. Hollingshead sold it, and the equipment moved to Union, New Jersey. Today, a rental car lot sits on the Pennsauken site, according to Hidden City Philadelphia.
Nationally, History.com reports that fewer than 500 drive-ins survive, compared with about 5,000 at the peak. New Jersey’s drop from dozens of drive-ins to one follows that national trend.
Drive-In Season Timing: Is It Still Open in Late October?
Yes, in most years. The Delsea’s FAQ says the theater operates from mid-March through November, with shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In 2026, opening weekend was April 3 and 4, according to WOBM.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring | Season opens; the 2026 opener was April 3 |
| Summer | Late sunsets mean later start times |
| October | Earlier showtimes as sunset moves earlier; cooler nights |
| November | End of season, with the final weekend announced by the theater |
| Winter | Closed |
As of late September 2026, the theater had not posted its final weekend for the season, so check its website and social media before planning a November visit. In addition, the FAQ notes that open and close hours change through the year, and the first movie starts around dusk.
Tips for Visiting Drive-In Theaters in NJ
A night at one of the last drive-in theaters in NJ is simple, but a few rules from the Delsea’s FAQ are worth knowing before you leave home.
- Buy tickets online in advance. Tickets are sold online only and are non-refundable.
- Arrive early. Get there close to box office opening for better parking and time at the snack bar. No one is admitted while a movie is playing or after the box office closes.
- Pick your screen carefully. You cannot switch screens without buying another ticket.
- Check your radio. Sound comes through an FM signal. If your car radio will not work, bring a portable radio or rent one at the theater.
- Know the food rules. Bringing outside food or drinks requires a food permit. The concession stand also takes orders through an online app.
- Use parking lights only. Headlights must be off during movies, and parking lights are for moving on the field.
- Bring pets if you like. The FAQ says pets are allowed on all days of operation, with pet relief areas.
- Dress for the weather. Shows run in rain and cold, except in extreme conditions.
Fall comfort checklist
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Blankets and warm layers | Late October nights in South Jersey get chilly |
| Portable FM radio | Lets you listen without running your car battery |
| Jump starter or cables | A backup if your battery runs low during a double feature |
| Window cleaner and a towel | Fog and dew can blur your view of the screen |
| Lawn chairs | For sitting outside your car when the weather allows |
Drive-Ins Near New Jersey
Because there is only one of the drive-in theaters in NJ still running, many residents drive to Pennsylvania or New York. These drive-ins were confirmed operating in 2026.
| Drive-in | Location | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre | Orefield, Pa. | Opened in 1934; Guinness-recognized as the oldest continuously operating drive-in; USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice winner in 2026 |
| Mahoning Drive-In Theater | Lehighton, Pa. | Classic movies on 35mm film; season runs from April through the last weekend in October |
| Warwick Drive-In | Warwick, N.Y. | Seasonal, pet-friendly drive-in with concessions |
Seasons and schedules vary at each theater, so check their websites before making the trip.
Why Drive-In Theaters in NJ Still Draw Crowds
The appeal is mostly about freedom. Families can talk, bring young children and pets, and sit in their own car. In addition, the double-feature format gives two movies for one admission, which is rare at indoor theaters. Hollingshead’s original slogan made the same point: “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are.”
For fall outings, a drive-in pairs well with other seasonal trips. For example, many South Jersey visitors combine a Saturday farm visit with an evening double feature in Vineland.
More Fall Things to Do in NJ
Plan the rest of your season with our list of pumpkin patches in NJ, our guide to haunted places in NJ and our roundup of things to do in NJ by region. You can also browse more fun facts about NJ. Find more ideas in our Things To Do section or on the NJ News Today homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drive-In Theaters in NJ
How many drive-in theaters in NJ are still open?
One. The Delsea Drive-In in Vineland is the only drive-in movie theater still operating in New Jersey as of 2026.
Where is the Delsea Drive-In?
It is at 2203 South Delsea Drive in Vineland, Cumberland County.
Is the Delsea Drive-In open in October?
Yes, in a typical year. The theater says it operates from mid-March through November, mainly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, so check its schedule for exact dates.
Where was the first drive-in theater?
Richard Hollingshead Jr. opened the first drive-in on June 6, 1933, on Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Pennsauken Township, near Camden, New Jersey.
How do I buy tickets for the Delsea Drive-In?
Tickets are sold online only through the theater website, and they are non-refundable.
Can I bring my own food to the Delsea Drive-In?
Only if you buy a food permit. Bringing outside food or drinks without one can lead to a higher fee or removal.
Are dogs allowed at the Delsea Drive-In?
Yes. The theater FAQ says pets are allowed on all days of operation, with pet relief areas on site.
How do you hear the movie at a drive-in?
The Delsea broadcasts sound on an FM signal that you pick up on your car radio or a portable radio.
What drive-ins are near New Jersey?
Nearby options include Shankweiler’s in Orefield, Pa., the Mahoning Drive-In in Lehighton, Pa., and the Warwick Drive-In in Warwick, N.Y.
Catch a Show Before the Season Ends
New Jersey invented the drive-in in 1933, and today the Delsea Drive-In in Vineland keeps the tradition alive as the last of the drive-in theaters in NJ. With two screens, double features and FM radio sound, it runs through November in a typical year. Buy tickets online, arrive early, dress warmly and check the theater’s schedule before heading out for one of the final shows of 2026.
