Annual Events & Festivals

The natural alpine scenery that surrounds Big Bear Lake, from lakeside to mountaintops, creates a stunning backdrop for our annual events! Pack your schedule with music concerts, food festivals, fishing contests and so much more. For a complete list of all Big Bear events, visit the Events Calendar.

Get a taste for our featured events below and find complete details when you select the event just above in the scroll bar.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Celebrate the great outdoors! National Trails Day and National Get Outdoors Day (hosted by the Big Bear Discovery Center) does just that by providing both traditional and innovative ways to experience Mother Nature up close and personal.

Open Air Big Bear takes it to the next level by promoting a healthy lifestyle events like the annual Polar Plunge, Tour de Big Bear, and Big Bear Turkey Trot.

THIS IS SPARTAN

Compete like your life depended on it in May during the Spartan Race and answer the question, are you Spartan Strong? The Big Bear Beast, Ultra, Super, and Kids Races are located at Snow Summit. Conquer obstacles that are designed to test your mental fortitude and physical strength. Which race will you choose?

GRILL & CHILL

The Big Bear Lake "Grill & Chill" takes place Memorial Day Weekend and features a sanctioned KC BBQ State Championship Competition with more than 30 cooks competing for a $10,000 prize purse. Attendees can enjoy sample portions of competition BBQ, a beer, wine and cocktail garden, live music and more! Stay tuned for details on our 2020 event.

4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

Every year on the 4th of July, Big Bear hosts thousands of patriotic visitors to celebrate America with community events and of course fireworks! Rated as one of California's top fireworks displays, this brilliant showcase of color is viewable from 22-miles of shoreline and several high peaks overlooking Big Bear Lake.

SUMMER AND YEAR-ROUND CONCERTS

The Cave is Big Bear's year-round concert venue, offering weekly live entertainment from original bands to tribute bands and comedians. And each summer, the Big Bear Discovery Center hosts Music in the Mountains, a concert series benefiting their education and conservation programs and featuring a mix of genres including rock, bluegrass, blues, western and even Celtic.

SPICE IT UP, CHILI TASTING COOK-OFF

If you're looking for a little zest to spice up your vacation then mark your calendar for the Chili Cook-Off every July. This event draws more than 40 cooks from all over the southwest cooking up tasty concoctions, some mild and some with a zip. Visitors are invited to taste test, enjoy live music and entertainment, food and drinks in the Bartlett Parking Lot in the Big Bear Village.

RIDE THE ANNUAL TOUR DE BIG BEAR

Join us in the "Cycling Capital of Southern California"! With 10k, 25, 50, 70, 106 and 109 mile courses, there's an ideal route for every level of cyclist in the Tour de Big Bear.

VINTAGE BIG BEAR

In August, more than 500 vintage autos, dragsters, and custom coupes climb the mountain highways to congregate in the Big Bear Village for the popular annual two-day Antique Car Club Fun Run.

BIG BEAR LAKE OKTOBERFEST

In the fall the most notable event is the annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, the highest-altitude Oktoberfest celebration in the United States. For 44 years, this event has attracted thousands of visitors to enjoy German food, imported brews, Bavarian bands, traditional dances and competitions like the Queen Stein Carrying Contest.

SNOWBOARD/SKI CONTESTS AND WINTER HOLIDAY EVENTS

Snow covered mountains in winter means ski and snowboard competitions at both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. The holiday season kicks off with Christmas in the Village, and the New Year in welcomed with the Snow Summit Torchlight Parade!