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.
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
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.
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.
Winners will be announced November 12, 2025.
Make A Post - Join The Raffle!
When you return your ballot, be sure to post your favorite fall displays on your socials tagging @visitbigbear and #BigBearScare and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a special getaway package including:
- 2-night lodging certificate for March, April, or May 2026
- A $100 meal voucher for use at select Big Bear restaurants
- Tickets for activities, customized based on your selected visit dates (e.g., lake tours, snow play, or guided hikes)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can enter?
Any local business, or residential property in the Big Bear Valley
Q: How do I vote?
Pick up a ballot and map at the Visitor Center, tour the entries, then return the ballot to the Visitor Center.
Q: How many winners will there be?
18 winners total — 3 per category, for both Business and Residential divisions.