2025 Season Dates: Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. in June & July (movie night during July 4th week is Tuesday, July 2nd)
Our movie survey is OPEN: https://bit.ly/lhec-survey
2025 Movies & Movie Dates [Movie titles will be added when survey closes]
6/5:
6/12:
6/19:
6/26:
7/2*:
*Special Date after Fireworks Show
7/10:
7/17:
7/24:
7/31:
Lighthouse Summer Hours: May 23 through September 2, 2025, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
LIGHTHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT CINEMA IS 21 YEARS OLD!
The Lighthouse Establishment Cinema at the Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site offers a family tradition dating back to 2004. Movies are projected on the side of the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse. This is a free public event. Bring your comfy outdoor chairs or spread a blanket and settle in for this unique cinematic experience. The Lighthouse is open until 9 p.m. There is an admission charge to the Lighthouse.
MOVIE START TIME: 9:00 p.m. A movie preview will feature Port Isabel history!
Every effort is made to present a family-friendly selection. Pets are allowed, but must be leashed at all times and picked up after. Coolers are not allowed. The Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site is an alcohol-free park. Lighthouse Summer Hours, daily (weather permitting) 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. (956) 943-0735.
DOWNTOWN PORT ISABEL! SHOPPING, DINING, FISHING ~ MORE!
There are over a dozen restaurants located within walking distance of the Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site. Park, dine at one of our local restaurants and watch a movie at the Lighthouse!
HOW LIGHTHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT CINEMA STARTED ~
In 2004, the Lighthouse Establishment Cinema was created to offer families an opportunity to enjoy a unique and memorable experience at the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse. Since then, this event has been offered at no admission charge to the public and supported by the Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site, City of Port Isabel, Port Isabel EDC and the Port Isabel Historical Museum.
Tens of thousands of people have enjoyed the Lighthouse Establishment Cinema. Movie choices have ranged from “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” to “Jaws” and “Grease”, which has been shown twice. Every effort is made to present a family friendly event. Before the season kicks off a survey is taken so viewers can vote for their favorites.
Lighthouse Establishment Cinema derives its name from the United States Light House Establishment (USLHE). Established in 1789, it remained an agency of the U. S. Department of Treasury until 1910.
The Port Isabel lighthouse was constructed in 1852 and lit in 1853 at a cost of $15,000. It has served as a navigational beacon, a lookout for both the Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War and has been a tourist attraction since well before the turn of the century. In 1952, on the occasion of its century mark the lighthouse was dedicated as a State Park and for many years was the smallest State Park in Texas. In 1994, the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage was reconstructed from original plans. In 2019, the site transferred to the Texas Historical Commission as a State Historic Site. In December 2022, after 117 years, the lighthouse was relit with a 3rd Order Fresnel Lens.
Today, the lighthouse square serves as the heart of the Port Isabel experience. School groups from all over south Texas visit the lighthouse and continue the traditional roll down the hill. Over 100,000 visitors a year enjoy the grounds and many make the trek to the top for a 16-mile view over the Laguna Madre Bay. That is a view that’s over 800 square miles!
LHEC BEGINNINGS: In 2003, the very first time images were projected on the side of the lighthouse. During the Museums of Port Isabel’s Day of the Dead Celebration, images were projected on the side of the Lighthouse while ghost stories were shared by community members. That event was followed by the implementation of a plan to make this a recurring, scheduled event and the first summer schedule was set. Starting in 2008, fans of the event were able to participate in the movie selection process by taking the movie title survey.
SPONSORED BY: Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site, City of Port Isabel, Port Isabel Historical Museum and Port Isabel EDC.
Email: info@copitx.com
Phone: (956) 943-0735
421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd.
Port Isabel, Texas 78578