Welcome to SoCal’s Winter Wonderland! You will find everything you need to celebrate a memorable holiday season with us below!
The holidays in Big Bear are a truly magical time with activities and seasonal events for the whole family available.
Start a new and exciting family tradition this year by gathering your loved ones and heading to Big Bear in the spirit of the holiday season!
Big Bear Lake Festival of Lights by Visit Big Bear
The holiday season has arrived in Big Bear, and with it comes the NEW Big Bear Lake Festival of Lights Competition!
This community event invites local businesses, Big Bear residents and Big Bear homeowners to light up the valley and decorate their homes and storefronts.
Let’s spread some festive cheer and help Big Bear shine brighter than ever.
Voting is open December 1 – 31, 2024.
Grab a map and ballot from the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center – or print the PDFs linked on their page- to explore the valley, check out the Holiday Lights and Wreath displays and vote for your favorite in each category.
Return your ballot to the Visitor Center!
Christmas Village in Big Bear
Big Bear takes the holidays very seriously. The twinkling holiday lights, and seasonal decorations transform this alpine Village into a magical snowy Christmas town during the holiday season. The Village is the hub of Big Bear, bustling with shopping, dining, nightlife, and events offering a picturesque setting for your Christmas Village Vacation. There is something so festive about walking in a real-life snow globe! Holiday magic lines the streets as you bundle up and enjoy a romantic carriage ride thru the town from Big Bear Carriages. Grab a bite to eat and a cocoa for your stroll as you make your way through what feels like the North Pole, you can even stop in at North Pole Fudge Company for a sweet treat for the cabin later! Santa and Mrs Claus have setup a home base here in Christmas Village at Big Bear, complete with holiday decorations and the perfect photo opportunity for the family- be sure to swing by to ensure he knows exactly how good you have been this year. The cheery duo will also make an appearance at Snow Summit Ski Resort where you can catch a lap with Santa on the Slopes!
Holiday Shopping
There’s no need to pack holiday gifts when you can plan on spending time in the Village when you visit this Big Bear Christmas. This area of Big Bear is filled with boutique shops perfect for picking up last-minute items on the list. As an added bonus, Santa frequently visits this area and is available for pictures with little ones. Big Bear Mountain Resorts will be open with daily operations including lift tickets, ski and snowboard lessons, snowtubing, and more. For something different this year give back to the environment with these gift ideas: Adopt an Animal at Big Bear Alpine Zoo, adopt a Trail from Southern California Mountains Foundation, or Adopt a Shoreline thru Big Bear Municipal Water District- these gifts will keep on giving for a lifetime! The Big Bear Lake Christkindlmarkt features German food, culture, entertainment, and holiday shopping all wrapped together at the Big Bear Convention Center.
Christmas Town Activities
You’ll find that the area holds a plethora of various winter activities that will have you finding adventure and excitement even outside of the holiday themes. For the non-skiers or snowboarders in your party you can still enjoy a festive holiday with local snowshoe tours from Action Tours and Big Bear Discovery Center, snag an offroad tour from Big Bear Offroad Experience, and catch a ride via saddle at Baldwin Lake Stables. Head over to Big Bear Alpine Zoo and spend a day with the animals as you gaze upon everything from bears to mountain lions, eagles, coyotes, foxes, and everything in between. Take on the challenge of an escape room and put your mind to the test to solve the puzzles laid before you and find freedom once more. Big Bear Escape Rooms even won awards for their extravagant set designs which are sure to immerse you in the stories being told.
Feel like a kid again exploring the many snowtubing parks available!Bear Snow Play is the perfect place to take some time to revisit the nostalgic activities of the snowy world. You’ll find one of their hallmarks is the sledding run which holds the title of the longest in southern California plus there won’t be any slow trudging up the hill thanks to their “magic carpet” which will take you to the top. Their sister company, Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, is also open year-round with a nostalgic toboggan ride, mineshaft roller coaster, and their own snowtubing hill with a magic carpet ride to the top!
Here are some Christmas Events Happening for 2024:
12/14 & 12/21- Santa Claws at Big Bear Zoo
12/14- Chriskindlmarkt
12/14- Metalachi Band
12/14- The Nutcracker Ballet
12/19 – 12/21- A Ghost Story of Christmas
Christmas Dinner Options in Big Bear
If part of your Christmas vacation includes a vacation from preparing and serving the elaborate holiday meal for the family, you will be glad to know that several Big Bear area restaurants are open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to serve up all of your holiday favorites! Suggestions for these holiday meal locations include Nottinghams Tavern, Stillwell’s Restaurant, Barnstrom Restaurant, Dynasty Big Bear, and more. Each location will offer their own menu and hours for the holiday so it is best to call ahead for your reservation or pick up time if you would like to avoid the crowds.
Comfort and Convenience for the Holidays
Traveling for Christmas in Big Bear doesn’t mean leaving the comfort and coziness of home behind. The team at Big Bear Vacations is happy to match guests with a rental property designed to fit your holiday style. Whether you’re in the market for a hideaway cabin with rustic charm or are looking for a luxurious lodge perfect for the entire family, we have what you’re searching for in Big Bear. When you can’t wait to get cooking your Christmas dinner, make the most of the fully equipped kitchens that are found in many of our rentals and include durable countertops, modern appliances and plenty of cabinets filled with cookware. However, this doesn’t just end with the kitchen, as you’ll find that your new home has been stocked with those basic essentials which travelers tend to need when arriving in a new area. You’ll find fresh linens, fresh towels and items for the bathroom, and even extra blankets for those cold winter nights when a storm blows outside your window, but you are toasty and warm inside your home. At the end of a long day of Big Bear Christmastime fun, head to a private bedroom to unwind. Bedrooms in our Christmas rentals include luxurious and stylish furnishings and décor unmatched by other area rentals. No matter what your vacation style or needs during your Big Bear respite, there is a Christmas rental provided by Big Bear Vacations that’s just right for you!
Make the Most of your Big Bear Christmas Vacation!
Enjoy the holiday in Big Bear style by booking a stay with Big Bear Vacations. Contact us today to make your holiday reservations well in advance of Santa’s arrival!
Book Our Big Bear Christmas Rentals Below:
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