A matinee is a performance or showing that takes place in the afternoon, usually in the early afternoon.

Movie theaters often offer matinee showings of films in the early afternoon, typically with cheaper ticket prices than evening shows. Broadway theaters and other performance venues schedule matinee performances on certain days, giving people who work evening shifts or families with young children a chance to see plays and musicals. You might see a sign saying “Matinee: 2:00 PM” at your local theater.

The tradition of matinees goes back to the early days of theater, when performances were scheduled to take advantage of natural daylight before electric lighting became common. Today, matinees remain popular because they're more affordable and convenient for many people. A family might choose a Saturday matinee at the movies as a special outing, or grandparents might take you to a matinee performance of The Nutcracker during winter break.