You’re driving down Roanoke Street, maybe coming from Blacksburg or just heading home from work, and you see that neon sign. It’s a relic. Honestly, in a world where everything is streamed onto a five-inch screen in your pocket, the Starlite Drive In Theatre Christiansburg VA feels like a glitch in the matrix. A good glitch.
But there’s a lot of noise—literally and figuratively—surrounding this place lately.
People think drive-ins are dead. They think the Starlite is just a museum piece for grandparents to talk about "the good old days" while eating overpriced popcorn. They’re wrong. This place is a living, breathing, and occasionally struggling piece of Montgomery County history that’s currently standing at a massive crossroads.
The Reality of the Starlite Drive In Theatre Christiansburg VA
If you haven’t been recently, the vibe has changed, but the bones are the same. Opened way back in 1952 (some records say 1953, but the sign says '52, and who are we to argue with neon?), it was the brainchild of Richard and Dorothy Beasley. They didn't just own it; they lived it. For decades, it was a family-run labor of love.
Then came 2024.
The passing of Peggy Beasley, who had taken the reins from her parents, sent shockwaves through the local community. It wasn't just a business losing an owner; it was the loss of the primary heartbeat of the theater. Since then, the property at 275 Starlight Drive has been in a sort of limbo. It’s been listed for sale. The lease ended. The heirs are now the ones holding the keys to the future.
It's a heavy situation.
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When you go there, you’re not just seeing a movie. You’re participating in a desperate attempt to keep a tradition from being bulldozed into another strip mall or apartment complex. The screen frame Richard built himself in the fifties is still there. That’s not just steel and paint; that’s a legacy.
The Great Sound War of Christiansburg
One thing most people get wrong is why the theater had so much drama with the town council a few years back. It wasn't just about "noise." It was a technical tragedy.
For years, the Starlite used those iconic, tinny silver speakers you hook onto your window. They’re charming until people keep driving off with them still attached to their cars. Peggy eventually got tired of the theft and damage and installed a massive outdoor speaker system in 2016.
The neighbors hated it.
The sound carried through the night air like a ghost, leading to a misdemeanor noise disturbance charge and a long, messy legal battle over town ordinances. Eventually, the theater leaned harder into FM radio transmission (90.3 FM), which is how most people listen today. But if you're lucky, you can still find a spot with a working pole speaker to get that authentic, scratchy 1950s audio experience.
What You Actually Need to Know Before You Go
Don't just show up at 8:45 PM and expect a front-row seat. That is the fastest way to end up sitting in the overflow line on the shoulder of the road feeling miserable.
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- Cash is King: Seriously. Don't bring your Amex. Don't ask about Apple Pay. It’s cash only at the gate. If you forget, you’re driving back to the 7-Eleven down the road and losing your spot in line.
- The "Back Row" Strategy: If you have a truck or an SUV and want to open the hatch, you have to be in the back. If you try to pop a massive lift-gate in the middle of the lot, you’re going to block everyone behind you, and you will hear about it.
- The Slant: The lot at the Starlite is famously sloped. This is a design feature—it helps you see over the car in front of you. But it also means if you’re sitting in lawn chairs, you might feel like you’re leaning at a weird angle all night.
The Food is the Point
You might think you’re saving money by sneaking in a bag of Taco Bell. Please don't. Drive-in theaters barely make a dime on the movie tickets; the studios take almost all of that. They survive on the snack bar.
The Starlite is famous for its chili. It’s the Beasley family recipe. Whether it’s on a hot dog or a burger, get the chili. They also do "Value Baskets" which, in 2026, are still some of the cheapest ways to feed a family of four while out of the house.
Is it Still Open?
This is the question everyone asks on Facebook every April.
Historically, the season runs from April through September. They usually stick to weekends (Friday, Saturday, and sometimes Sunday) during the "shoulder" months and expand a bit during the heat of the summer.
However, because the property is currently on the market, you absolutely have to check their official Facebook page or the "recording" on their phone line (540-382-2202) before you load up the car. As of now, the community is holding its breath to see if a buyer will keep it as a theater or if the 2025/2026 seasons will be the final curtain call.
Why This Place Still Matters
It’s easy to be cynical. You can watch everything on Netflix. But you can’t recreate the smell of damp grass and diesel exhaust while waiting for the sun to drop low enough for the projector to start.
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There’s a specific ritual to it. You arrive early, maybe around 7:00 PM. You throw a football. The kids run around the open space in front of the screen. You talk to the people in the car next to you about the weather or how Virginia Tech’s season is going.
It’s one of the few places left where the "public" actually hangs out together without being partitioned off by cubicles or restaurant booths.
Tips for the Best Experience
- Arrive early: If a big blockbuster is playing, the line starts forming an hour before the gates even open.
- Bring a radio: Car batteries are notoriously fickle. If you leave your ignition in "Accessory" mode for a three-hour double feature, you might need a jump-start at midnight. A cheap battery-powered FM radio is a lifesaver.
- Mind your lights: Modern cars have "daytime running lights" that are a nightmare at a drive-in. Figure out how to turn them off or bring some cardboard and duct tape to cover your headlights. Nobody wants your LED beams hitting the screen during the climax of the movie.
- Bug spray is mandatory: This is Virginia. The mosquitoes at dusk are basically the size of small birds.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you want to support the Starlite Drive In Theatre Christiansburg VA, start by checking their current status on their official website or social media. If they are running shows, make it a point to go at least once a month.
Buying a ticket is fine, but buying a "Chili Cheese Dog" and a "Large Popcorn" is what actually pays the electric bill and the property taxes. If you’re a local business owner or someone with deep pockets, the property is a rare chance to own a piece of Americana—though it comes with the challenge of maintaining a 70-year-old screen and navigating town noise codes.
Pack the blankets, grab a stack of twenty-dollar bills, and head out there. It’s a rare thing to be able to sit under the stars in Christiansburg and watch a story unfold on a screen that has survived seven decades of Appalachian weather. Don't wait until it's a memory to appreciate it.