Fall Scarecrow & Día de los Muertos Decorating Contest
Big Bear Lake’s Scarecrow Contest has delighted locals and visitors, with homes and businesses competing to showcase their creativity. This year, the tradition is expanding with decorating contests in Scarecrow, Calacas (skeleton) and Ofrenda categories to highlight Día de los Muertos, a holiday celebrating life, memory, and community.
Get ready for an extra colorful season as we blend our traditional fall Scarecrows with the cultural vibrancy of Ofrendas and Calacas displays.
2025 Display Winners
Scarecrow Display Winners
Business Division
- 1st Place - Sessions Retreat & Hotel
- 2nd Place - Robinhood Resort
- 3rd Place - Gold Rush Mining, Co.
Residential Division
- 1st Place - Gidget M.
- 2nd Place - Daniel C.
- 3rd Place - Linda B.
Ofrenda Display Winners
Business Division
- 1st Place - The Club at Big Bear Village
- 2nd Place - Captain's Anchorage
- 3rd Place - Chirps Nature Center
Residential Division
- 1st Place - Olga R.
- 2nd Place - Joseph S.
- 3rd Place - Angela M.
Calacas Display Winners
Business Division
- 1st Place - Mountain Transit
- 2nd Place - Pampered Pets
- 3rd Place - Moonridge Coffee Company
Residential Division
- 1st Place - Selena E.
- 2nd Place - Cindy A.
- 3rd Place - Lloyd S.
2025 Participant Gallery
How To Vote
Visitors and locals alike can grab a map and ballot from the Visit Big Bear Visitor Center that highlights all participating locations, from businesses to homes.
As you explore the valley and check out the scarecrows, ofrendas, and fall décor, don’t forget to vote for your favorite in each category by filling out the ballot and posting photos of your favorites to your socials tagging @visitbigbear and #BigBearScare. Voting will be open to the public, with prizes awarded based on popular vote.
Event Details
Contest & Voting Dates - 2026 Dates to be announced. . .
Contest Categories
Divisions
- Business
- Residence
Contest Categories
- Best Scarecrow
- Best Ofrenda (altar)
- Best Calacas (skeleton)
Prizes!
Scarecrow Business
- 1st Place - $1,000 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
- 2nd Place - $500 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
- 3rd Place - $100 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
Scarecrow Residential
- 1st Place - $1,000
- 2nd Place - $500 + Gift
- 3rd Place - $100 + Gift
Ofrenda (Altar) Business
- 1st Place - $1,000 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
- 2nd Place - $500 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
- 3rd Place - $100 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
Ofrenda (Altar) Residential
- 1st Place - $1,000
- 2nd Place - $500 + Gift
- 3rd Place - $100 + Gift
Calacas (Skeleton) Business
- 1st Place - $1,000 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
- 2nd Place - $500 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
- 3rd Place - $100 + Pioneer (Tier 1) Membership or Upgrade
Calacas (Skeleton) Residential
- 1st Place - $1,000
- 2nd Place - $500 + Gift
- 3rd Place - $100 + Gift
Contest Rules
Contest participants agree to:
- All participants within the City of Big Bear Lake must ensure that their scarecrow and decorations comply with City ordinances
- Participants are responsible for maintaining their displays throughout the contest.
- By entering, participants agree to allow Visit Big Bear to use images of their displays for promotional purposes
- Pre-filling ballots with your location is not permitted. However, sharing ballots with your friends and customers so they can cast their own votes is encouraged.
- Each voter must submit their own ballot.
- Collecting, transporting, or turning in ballots on behalf of others is not allowed.
- Do not collect ballots at your display/location.
- Any ballot delivered by someone other than the voter will not be counted.
How To Enter
Register in the category of your choice: Scarecrow, Ofrenda (altar), or Calacas (skeleton) display
Register is the division of your choice: Business or Residence
Once registered, your display will be added to the official map, making it easy for visitors to find your creation and vote for their favorite!
This contest is open to all Big Bear Valley communities - Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Sugarloaf, Erwin Lake, Baldwin Lake, Fawnskin and Lake Williams.
Registration Deadline - Sunday, September 28, 2025
Contest & Voting Dates - October 8 - November 7, 2025