The beauty of a lakefront village, along with fresh mountain air and touches of Christmas cheer, are the perfect elements for fun on your Christmas vacation. You’ll find everything you’re looking for to make a Christmas to remember when you journey to Big Bear during Christmas. It has many fun and exciting winter and Christmas activities to make your Christmastime stay one that will keep you coming back year after year, or season after season to do everything!
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
Adults can be a kid again, and kids and teens can enjoy the adrenaline rush of a lifetime when they ride the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. The attraction is open year-round and never fails to entertain the whole group. Hours vary by season and keep in mind the slide may be closed due to weather conditions. Take the chair lift to the top and take in breathtakingly beautiful view of the area. At the top, prepare for an unforgettable, fast-paced ride down the area’s only authentic bobsled experience. Sleds are individually controlled so you can go as slow or as fast as you want down your choice of two separate quarter-mile long cement tracks. Careen around high banking turns that flow into straightaways that will have you cruising at top speed and have your adrenaline pumping by the time you reach the bottom. Riders must be at least 36” tall to ride, and children under 48” tall must ride with an adult age 18 or older.
Christmas in the Village
Get your dose of Christmas cheer and get some shopping done along with it at one of the best things to do in Big Bear for Christmas. The annual Christmas in the Village celebration starts the merry season around Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Eve. Every Saturday and Sunday in the village, visitors and residents alike can scour the Christmas tree lot for the perfect tree, pick up some last-minute gifts for under the tree at retail stores with extended hours, or grab a bite to eat at the various restaurants also with extended hours. Keep your eyes peeled for Santa or Mrs. Clause!
Big Bear SnowPlay
Starting in mid-November, you can enjoy the thrill of snow-tubing. Slide down the hill of man-made and/or Mother Nature-provided snow on a tube. Tubes are single-rider, but riders 36”-42” tall must ride in the lap of an adult 18 years or older. After your sail down the hill, relax on the “Magic Carpet” conveyor belt ride that makes its slow creep up through the tunnel to bring tubes and riders to the top. Come back in the evening on Fridays, Saturdays, and some holidays for special glow tubing, featuring red, blue, green, and even black light. No matter when you come, general admission is $40 and a small child ticket for guests 36”-42” is $25. One-on-one adult supervision per small child is required. Children under 36” tall and pregnant guests are not permitted past the SnowPlay gate. SnowPlay is open all through the winter holidays up until Easter.
Christmas Dinner
Whether you’re on vacation or not, some home chefs can’t resist preparing and serving a holiday feast. But if part of your Christmas vacation is a vacation from preparing and serving that elaborate Christmas meal, there are several Big Bear area restaurants open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They’ll be serving all your favorites at Big Bear during Christmas. Each restaurant has their own menu, hours, and reservation policy so you’ll have to call to confirm before finalizing your dinner plans. Suggested locations for your meal include Barnstorm Restaurant, Dynasty Restaurant, and Stillwell’s Restaurant inside the Lodge at Big Bear Lake. Other restaurants including Amangela’s and Big Bear Bar & Grill are open Christmas Eve with special hours, should you want to celebrate early. Other restaurants have special meals and hours, too, so call your restaurant of choice and make arrangements. Ask about pick up or delivery if you’d like to avoid the crowds.
Christmas Journey to Big Bear
You came to the area on a journey full of fun and exciting Christmas cheer to escape the stresses of everyday life and celebrate the holidays. Extend that fun and cheer to your accommodations by booking a vacation rental with Big Bear Vacations. Make the big holiday meal and any of your daily meals or snacks in your unit’s fully equipped kitchen. Gather together with loved ones on the couch and watch your favorite Christmas movies or spend some time outdoors in the snow or on an adventure. Choose a cozy one-bedroom for your small family, up to a sprawling five-bedroom for a large family or fun Christmastime family reunion. Our premium units include upgrades like stainless steel appliances, granite counters, hardwood floors, flat screen TVs and more!
Contact us today to book and take the first step toward planning your ultimate Christmas journey to Big Bear!
