Throughout the entire year, Big Bear Lake hosts a number of events that cater to families, friends, couples and the lone traveler.
Spring
Every March, sample some of Big Bear's finest brew-skis at the annual BrewFest. This local competition offers some remarkably tasty beverages. Spring also means that migratory birds are heading home. Free bird walks offer a closer look at some of Big Bear's flying marvels of nature. For families, the Spring Air Fair Home and Garden Show is the ideal outing. The kids can play games, while adults search for the perfect shrub to accompany those petunias in the front yard.
Summer
The onset of summer is great for jazz aficionados. Atop Snow Summit, the JazzTrax Smooth Jazz Festival melodically meanders through the mountains. On the 4th of July a spectacular fireworks display ignites the sky with wonder. July also honors the miners that once laboriously dug through Big Bear Mountain, in Old Miners' Days. This celebratory occasion features a variety of contests, and a spicy chili cook-off. Car enthusiasts will enjoy the Antique Car Show as over 500 hot rods, roadsters and classic autos rev it up.
Fall
The arrival of autumn decorates the landscape in a barrage of colorful foliage - just in time for the International Film Festival. Documentaries, short-films, animation and independent films from around the world are showcased at this prestigious event. Every October, the age-old German tradition of Oktoberfest makes way with a bounty of contests, games, booze and tasty German treats.
Winter
Each Christmas, Big Bear Village is decorated with festive holiday cheer, and carolers can be heard singing in the streets. For New Years, an ensemble of lights aligns Snow Summit as snowboarders and skiers swoosh down the mountainside. January celebrates the beauty of the bald eagle. Tours are held to explore the wilderness, and view these incredible winged-specimens in their natural habitat. In February, "Star Parties" are a popular nighttime activity. Visitors can explore the universe through a telescope as astronomers guide them through the night sky.
