Alpine Zoo Wild Lights
A Journey Through Light, Story, and the Alpine Night Sky.
Southern California’s Newest Holiday Tradition
Presented by Visit Big Bear
Benefiting Care for Big Bear & The Alpine Zoo
There’s never been anything like this in Big Bear.
This winter, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo will come alive under the glow of more than one million sparkling lights, transforming the mountain into an illuminated alpine dreamscape. Alpine Zoo Wild Lights is the first event of its kind — a walk-through winter light experience that brings families, nature lovers, and holiday dreamers together in a spectacular celebration of light and wildlife.
Over 40 enchanted nights, guests will wander glowing forest trails filled with twinkling Everwhite trees, shimmering snowmen, glittering ornaments, and radiant archways of color. Each turn reveals a new scene — a story told through light, snow, and sound.
If you love the holidays, mountain air, and unforgettable memories, this is the event you’ll talk about all season long.
This inaugural event is made possible through the support of valued partners, including Big Bear Valley Recreation and Parks District, Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, S. Porter Inc., Big Bear Disposal, Big Bear Valley Electric Service, BrightLife Designs, Moonridge Coffee Co., Sessions Retreat & Hotel, and Freedom Arts Studio. Together, these partners have helped create a new holiday tradition for Big Bear.
Why You Can’t Miss It
The Only Light Walk of Its Kind in the San Bernardino Mountains
Skip the crowds and long drives — Alpine Zoo Wild Lights brings a world-class holiday spectacle right to the heart of Big Bear.
Over One Million Lights, Endless Magic Made in Big Bear
Every tree, trail, and snowbank sparkles with color. Picture yourself standing beneath a canopy of glowing lights as the forest glimmers around you.
It’s Family Tradition, Reimagined
Bundle up, grab a cup of cocoa, and take a nighttime walk through the most photogenic winter setting you’ve ever seen.
A Celebration with Heart
Your visit helps fund wildlife rescue, conservation, and education through the Big Bear Alpine Zoo and Care for Big Bear — meaning every ticket helps protect the mountains you love.
Perfect for Couples, Families, and Friends
Whether it’s a date night in the mountains, a family getaway, or a spontaneous trip from the city, Alpine Wild Lights is the kind of experience that becomes a tradition after just one visit.
Plan Your Visit
Dates: Wednesday – Sunday, November 6, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Tickets: $20 Admission | Free for Alpine Zoo Members and Children under 5
A Journey Through Light, Story, and the Alpine Night Sky
Guests will explore four immersive light zones, each designed to tell a story — celebrating wildlife, community, and the mountain’s shared spirit.
The Wilderness Gateway & Great Pine
As guests approach the Zoo, they’ll be greeted by a towering 100-foot pine, illuminated by hundreds of thousands of shimmering colored lights, setting the stage for the entire experience. Beyond the entrance gates, guests step into a world of light — beginning with The Wilderness Gateway, where softly glowing trees guide visitors beneath a 20-foot illuminated archway, welcoming them to Alpine Zoo Wild Lights. At the center of the gateway stands the beloved two-story golden seated Teddy Bear, offering one of the season’s most iconic photo opportunities.
The Village of Light & Moonridge Coffee Co. Zoo Café
Continuing up the Dickinson light-posted pathway, guests arrive at the heart of the experience: The Village of Light, a community plaza and playground bursting with glowing presents, walk-through ornaments, and cone trees that fill the air with holiday warmth. This is where guests can pause at the Moonridge Coffee Co. Zoo Café to enjoy fresh pastries, cocoa, or spiked cider, and other seasonal treats before continuing their journey through the mountain’s most festive landscape.
The North Pole Path
Turning the corner, guests will find themselves in a world where everything feels larger than life. Along The North Pole Path, an oversized 20-foot ornament, colossal gift boxes, and a family of glowing snowmen lead to Santa’s Sleigh — an interactive 11-foot illuminated centerpiece, creating the perfect setting for families to gather, take photos, and celebrate the season.
The Care for Big Bear - Dark Sky Grove
The final zone, the Care for Big Bear - Dark Sky Grove, offers a tranquil finale to the evening. Nestled in a quiet, tree-lined corner of the Zoo, this all-solar lighting installation is designed as a reflective escape — a place to pause, breathe, and appreciate the night sky. The Grove features a large illuminated white tree surrounded by thousands of tiny glowing mushroom lights, resembling a field of stars scattered across the ground. Overhead, gentle meteor shower lights shimmer between the pines, while planet-shaped orbs and moon lamps are placed thoughtfully throughout the grove.
Every light in the Dark Sky Grove symbolizes Big Bear’s commitment to sustainability and the Care for Big Bear Dark Sky Initiative, which seeks to reduce light pollution and preserve the mountain’s natural night environment. The result is a peaceful, celestial-inspired space that honors both the beauty and fragility of Big Bear’s alpine wilderness.
Why Now Is the Time to Experience Big Bear
Winter in Big Bear is already magical — snow-covered cabins, cozy fires, and crisp alpine air. Now, it’s brighter than ever.
From November through January, Big Bear becomes a destination for light, laughter, and connection. Alpine Zoo Wild Lights isn’t just another attraction — it’s a reason to make the drive, stay the weekend, and rediscover the mountain in a whole new light.
This is more than an event — it’s the start of a new holiday tradition.
Visit bigbearzoo.org to buy your tickets and be part of Big Bear’s brightest new experience.
About Visit Big Bear
Visit Big Bear is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Big Bear Lake, named “#1 Best Lake in the U.S.” by USA Today in 2025. The organization drives tourism, event production, marketing, and community stewardship for Southern California’s premier four-season mountain destination, which welcomes more than 7.5 million visitors annually. Visit Big Bear leads the region’s hospitality and recreation strategy, connecting visitors and locals alike to the magic of the mountains.
About The Big Bear Alpine Zoo
The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is the highest-elevation zoo in the United States and one of only two zoos in the US specializing in the rehabilitation and release of injured, orphaned, and imprinted wild animals. Managed by the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, the Zoo is home to more than 100 animals across 40 species, including mountain lions, grizzly bears, eagles, owls, and wolves — many of which cannot be released back into the wild. The Zoo provides educational programs, guided tours, and conservation initiatives that inspire visitors to protect wildlife and the natural ecosystems of Southern California’s mountains. Learn more at www.bigbearzoo.org.
About Care For Big Bear
Care for Big Bear is a sustainability and stewardship initiative powered by Visit Big Bear, dedicated to preserving the natural beauty, wildlife, and community character of the Big Bear Valley. From eco-education and volunteer programs to dark-sky initiatives and trail restoration, Care for Big Bear inspires everyone to help protect this one-of-a-kind mountain destination.