Fresh mountain air? Check. Lakefront village beauty? Check. A slower pace where you can reconnect with loved ones? Check. Unique ways to celebrate the new year? Check. Big Bear checks all these boxes and more to deliver a New Year’s vacation that will have you coming back next year, and maybe other times throughout the year to experience the top Big Bear New Year’s events!
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade
Celebrate the new year in a way only a ski resort town can. Every year, skiers and snowboarders light up the night – and the slopes, in celebration of the new year. This year, you can help light up the mountain when you participate in the 58th Annual New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade. Spend your day on the slopes, then after a break, come back in the evening for the light show. Over 200 skiers and snowboarders of all ages will make their way down the face of the mountain with their torches. Participate and carry a torch or watch as the spectacle of light kicks off the countdown to the “snowball” drop. The event is free and runs 7-10 p.m. Participants should meet at Snow Summit, 880 Summit Blvd in Big Bear.
Wyatt’s Family New Year’s Celebration
Wyatt’s Grill and Saloon, inside the Big Bear Convention Center, hosts a Big Bear New Year’s Eve party you won’t want to miss. The entire family can ring in the new year with live music, dancing, party favors, and more. Keep the kids busy with free activities just for them. The fun begins at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and lasts until 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. Make sure to stick around for the complimentary toast at midnight.
Night Session at Big Bear Mountain Resort
Before your stop in for the family fun at Wyatt’s, get in some final runs on the slopes. After daytime fun, extend the experience into the night. On select nights throughout the season, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the resort offers the special experience of skiing under stars. The fun takes place at Snow Summit on the mountain 3-8:30 p.m. Every area open during the day is flooded with light for the night session. Single-day and multi-day tickets do not include night tickets, but the night ticket can be purchased at a discounted rate with your day tickets. Night riding only requires advanced purchase online. If you come during the day, a day parking pass is required during paid parking hours. Guests arriving after 2 p.m. are not required to pay for parking. If Big Bear is a part of your New Year’s traditions and you have a season pass, the night sessions are included.
Other Snow Activities
If you’re in need of a break from the slopes, or you want to enjoy a different winter activity on your New Year’s respite to Big Bear, there is plenty to choose from. Action Zipline Tours offers zipline and Segway tours year-round so you can cut through the snow-blanketed area in the sky. Take a tour of the snow-covered forests on a snowshoeing excursion, go snow tubing, or saddle up on horseback for a tour of the valley with Baldwin Lake Stables.
Big Bear Escape Room
Come inside and warm up a bit. Escape rooms have become a popular activity no matter the locale or time of year. Gather your group and work together to solve a series of clues and puzzles and break out of the themed room in 60 minutes or less to win. There are different themes to choose from, with varying degrees of difficulty and number of people to solve. Join together in search of lost gold, try to escape the asylum, or join the elite Bear Valley Search and Rescue team. Choose a topic or difficulty that’s right for you and make advanced reservations online. Before booking, ask about accessibility and/or age restrictions to ensure you’re getting the best experience possible.
New Year’s in Big Bear
You came to the area for a fun getaway this New Year to release the stresses of everyday life and celebrate another the end of a great year and the beginning of another one. Start with your accommodations when you book a vacation rental with Big Bear Vacations. Make the family’s favorite home-cooked meals in the fully equipped kitchen. Gather together on the couch and watch a holiday movie or TV show or spend some time outdoors near your rental. Choose a cozy one-bedroom for your small family, or a sprawling five-bedroom for a fun family reunion that rings in the New Year. Big Bear Vacations has a vacation rental that is just right for you. Our premium units include upgrades like stainless steel appliances, granite counters, hardwood floors, and more!
Contact us today to book and take the first step toward planning your New Year’s getaway!
