Three outdoor screens across the Great Plains, from Bellevue to the Sandhills
The TK-Starlite Drive-In opened in 1952 in Neligh, Nebraska, a small town in Antelope County in the northeast part of the state. The single-screen theater held roughly 328 cars. Drive-in theaters in Nebraska were a common sight in the 1950s, and the TK-Starlite was part of that broader expansion across the Great Plains.
Neligh has a population of about 1,600. The town is known for the Neligh Mills State Historic Site, a 19th-century flour mill preserved as a museum. The Cowboy Trail, a long-distance rail-trail stretching across northern Nebraska, also passes through the area.
The TK-Starlite was reportedly one of Nebraska's longest continually operating drive-ins. Its season ran from mid-May to mid-August, shorter than many drive-ins in warmer states. That compressed schedule reflected Nebraska's climate, where reliable outdoor movie weather lasts only about three months.
The domain nelighdriveintheater.com was the theater's official website. Built on the Weebly platform, it included subpages for directions, movie listings, a FAQ, concession information, and even a t-shirt shop. The site was last active around February 2022. The TK-Starlite's Cinema Treasures listing provides additional historical details about the theater.
This site now serves as a reference for drive-in theaters across Nebraska. The information below covers the state's remaining outdoor theaters, practical visitor guidance, and answers to common questions.
The first drive-in theater in the United States opened in 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. The format spread rapidly after World War II. By the late 1950s, approximately 4,000 drive-ins operated nationwide. Nebraska followed this pattern, with dozens of screens appearing in towns across the state during the 1950s and 1960s.
The Great Plains states were well-suited to the drive-in format. Flat terrain meant unobstructed sightlines. Summer evenings were warm and dry. Rural areas had low light pollution, which improved the viewing experience after dark. Nebraska, with its wide-open spaces and agricultural landscape, fit these conditions closely.
The nationwide decline began in the 1970s. Rising real estate values made drive-in lots expensive to maintain. Multiplex cinemas offered climate control and year-round scheduling. Home video and later streaming reduced overall theater attendance. Nebraska was hit harder than average because its short summer season limited revenue potential.
Most of Nebraska's drive-ins closed by the 1990s. Of the dozens that once operated, only three remain active as of 2026. Two of those three, FalconWood and Quasar, opened after 2010, representing a new generation of drive-in ventures rather than survivors from the mid-century era.
The United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association (UDITOA) tracks approximately 330 active drive-in locations across the United States. Nebraska's three theaters account for a small fraction of that total, consistent with the state's lower population density compared to the coasts.
Three outdoor theaters are confirmed operating in Nebraska. The season runs roughly from May through September. Programming and schedules vary by location. Check each venue directly before visiting.
Located about 15 minutes south of downtown Omaha in Bellevue, the FalconWood Drive-In is part of FalconWood Park, a family amusement park that also includes mini-golf and go-karts. The drive-in opened in 2016, making it one of the newer outdoor theaters in the Midwest.
The single screen accommodates around 200 cars. Admission is $10 per adult when purchased online, $13 at the gate. Children ages 4 to 12 are $7 online, $10 at the gate. Its proximity to the Omaha metro area gives it the largest nearby population base of any Nebraska drive-in.
The Quasar opened in 2021 in Valley, Nebraska, about 30 minutes west of Omaha. With capacity for 300 cars, it is the largest of Nebraska's three active drive-ins by vehicle count. The venue is a newer build with modern projection and FM broadcast equipment.
Adult admission is $12. Children ages 3 to 12 are $7. The Quasar and FalconWood together give the greater Omaha area two drive-in options within a short driving radius, an unusual concentration for a state with so few outdoor screens.
The Sandhills Drive-In operates in Alliance, a town of about 8,000 in western Nebraska's Sandhills region. It opened in 1994 and is the only one of Nebraska's three current drive-ins that predates the 2010s. Alliance is also home to Carhenge, the roadside sculpture replicating Stonehenge with vintage automobiles.
The single screen fits approximately 250 cars. The remote location, roughly five hours west of Omaha, means the Sandhills draws primarily from the surrounding rural counties. Low light pollution in the region contributes to particularly dark skies after sunset.
Capacity figures and opening years are based on publicly available records. Prices may change. Confirm details with each venue before visiting.
Nebraska's three active drive-ins are spread across the state. Two sit near Omaha in the eastern part. The third is roughly 400 miles west, near the Wyoming border. Distances between locations are significant, and visiting more than one in a single trip requires planning.
FalconWood Drive-In (Bellevue): About 15 minutes south of downtown Omaha, accessible from Highway 75. Bellevue is a suburb directly bordering Omaha. The theater is part of FalconWood Park, which is signposted from the main road.
Quasar Drive-In (Valley): Approximately 30 minutes west of Omaha via Interstate 80 and Highway 275. Valley is a small town in Douglas County. The drive-in is on the outskirts of town, surrounded by farmland.
Sandhills Drive-In (Alliance): About five hours west of Omaha and roughly four hours north of Denver. Alliance sits along U.S. Route 385 in the Nebraska Panhandle. The surrounding Sandhills region is one of the most sparsely populated areas in the contiguous United States.
Nebraska's road network is straightforward. Interstate 80 crosses the state east to west, and U.S. highways connect smaller towns on a grid pattern. Gas stations become less frequent west of Kearney, so fill up before heading to Alliance.
Gates typically open 30 to 60 minutes before showtime. Arriving early secures a better parking spot and allows time to set up chairs, blankets, or other gear beside the vehicle.
Films start at dusk. In Nebraska, that means roughly 9:00 PM in early June, shifting to around 8:00 PM by late August. Double features are the standard format. The first film is often family-oriented. The second is aimed at an older audience. An intermission of 10 to 15 minutes separates the two movies.
Audio is broadcast over FM radio. Each theater posts its frequency at the entrance. A portable battery-powered radio is a practical alternative to running the car stereo, since it avoids draining the vehicle battery over several hours.
Concession stands are a major source of revenue for drive-in theaters. Purchasing food and drinks on-site directly supports the theater's ability to stay open. Menus typically include popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, candy, and soft drinks. Some locations offer expanded options like burgers or pizza.
Nebraska summers are warm, but evenings cool quickly after sunset. Temperatures in the low 60s or upper 50s are common by the time the second feature starts. A light jacket or blanket is practical even in July.
Mosquitoes are active on Nebraska summer evenings, particularly near open grassland and standing water. Insect repellent makes the experience more comfortable.
Turn off headlights upon parking. On newer vehicles with automatic headlights, engaging the parking brake before starting the engine may prevent the lights from activating. Some theaters provide specific instructions at the gate.