Annual Events & Festivals
The natural alpine scenery that surrounds Big Bear Lake, from shoreline to mountaintops, creates a stunning backdrop for our community's 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.
Visit Big Bear Featured Events
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4th of July Fireworks Spectacular!
Every year on Independence Day, Big Bear Lake 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.
Stay tuned for the Fireworks Spectacular reschedule this year.
Memorial Day Weekend Grill & Chill BBQ Festival
The Big Bear Lake Grill & Chill takes place on Memorial Day Weekend and features a sanctioned KC BBQ State Championship Competition! Over 30 cooks compete for a $10,000 prize purse and the title of People Choice! Attendees can enjoy sample portions of competition BBQ, relax in the Chill Garden with an ice cold beer or cocktail, browse vendor goods in the Artisan Marketplace, and groove to live music. There's even a Kids Zone for the littles in your group to enjoy all weekend long. Check back to 2021 event details.
Fishin' For $50K Trout Derby
Calling all residents and visitors from near and far! You and your family and friends are invited to get out on Big Bear Lake for a chance to win big during our Fishin' For $50k Trout Derby! Five tagged trout - worth $10K each - are released prior to the Derby and await lucky anglers. An additional 25 non-grand prize tagged trout are worth $200 each! Awards are also given for weight classes for both men, women, boys, and girls. This year's Derby is scheduled for Sept. 12 & 13.
Chili 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 vying for the Top Chef title and prize! Visitors are invited to taste test, relax in the Chill Garden with an ice cold beer or cocktail, browse vendor goods in the Artisan Marketplace, and groove to live music. There's even a Kids Zone for the littles in your group to enjoy all weekend long. Please check back to 2021 event details.
Open Air Big Bear - Take It Outside!
Celebrate the great outdoors! From National Trails Day and National Get Outdoors Day to the annual Spartan Race and Antique Car Show, Big Bear Lake is the place to experience and enjoy the outdoor world.
Open Air Big Bear sponsors some of our most popular fitness and healthy lifestyle events!
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Tour de Big Bear
Head to the "Cycling Capital of Southern California" for this ever expanding road riding event! 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. The 4-day event includes a Poker Ride and a nighttime Glow Ride for family and friends to enjoy prior to the Tour de Big Bear weekend. This event sells out each year so don't miss out!
Check back for 2021 dates!
4th of July Fun Run
Kick off the patriotic holiday with a fun run at Meadow Park! This 4th of July event is fun for the entire family and kids (and strollers) are welcome. Choose from 3 course distances – 5K, 10K, 15K - and win prizes for fastest runner and the costume contest too. What a great way to start off the Independence Day festivities! Proceeds support the Bear Valley Search and Rescue.
See you in 2021!
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
Walk, jog, or trot the annual Big Bear Turkey Trot presented by Open Air Big Bear. Earn your turkey dinner with 3 , 6 , or 9 miles starting at Meadow Park on Thanksgiving morning. Kids in strollers are welcome. Come ready to have fun and dressed in your best turkey, bear, or autumn costume. Win prizes for the best costumes and the fastest runners. 3 mile runners are treated to a yoga warm up routine with Colin Schour before the start of their race!
See you in 2021!
MTB Gran Fondo & Grizzly 100
The Big Bear Grizzly 100 & MTB Gran Fondo offers different routes to fit all levels of riders. From the tame 20K Skyview which takes you up the Snow Summit Scenic Sky Chair to the 50K Skyline course, you’ll enjoy the best riding that Big Bear has to offer. And if you’re looking for more challenge and adventure, check out the Grizzly 100 or the 75K Over the Top National Ultra Endurance options!
See Event Details.
Even More Featured Events Not To Miss!
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This Is Spartan!
Are you Spartan Strong? Every May, discover the ultimate challenge, the Big Bear Spartan Race! Featuring the Beast, Ultra, and Super distances, this ultimate obstacle course tests not only physical strength, but mental fortitude as well. Be sure to check out the Kids Races as no one is too young to be a Spartan! Which race will you choose?
See you in 2021!
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is notably one of the Valley's grandest autumn events! For decades, this event has attracted thousands of visitors from across the US to enjoy authentic German food, imported brews, Bavarian bands, and traditional dances and competitions like the Queen Stein Carrying Contest.
Click for 2020 event info >>> https://bigbearevents.com/
Music In The Mountains
Each summer, the Big Bear Discovery Center hosts Music in the Mountains, a live, outdoor concert series benefiting their education and conservation programs while bringing music to our ears! A mix of bands and genres (including rock, bluegrass, blues, Western and even Celtic) ensures everyone has the opportunity to enjoy one of these amazing shows under the stars at the Discovery Center's amphitheater.
The 2020 event will not be held.
Antique Car Show
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. The 2020 event will not be held.
Check back for 2021 details.
