The Ultimate Holiday Guide to Big Bear
When the holidays roll around each year, it’s an amazing opportunity to gather family and friends and head out to explore somewhere new and exciting in the name of festive fun. This year, consider making your way to scenic Big Bear, California, and be sure to have this ultimate holiday in Big Bear guide in hand to elevate the seasonal entertainment every step of the way!
Visit the Mountain Christmas Boutique
If you find yourself in Big Bear at the end of November, you’ll be right on time to check out the annual Mountain Christmas Boutique in good company. This highly anticipated holiday event will be hosted at the Big Bear Convention Center at 42900 Big Bear Boulevard from November 28 through 30 in 2024. The Mountain Christmas Boutique is a great place to find those last minute holiday gifts you’ve been needing to buy or to simply stroll around and admire the beautiful seasonal wares on display. The Mountain Christmas Boutique in Big Bear plays host to over 40 vendors on-site as well as arts and crafts for little ones to enjoy and opportunities for a meet and greet with Santa himself. Admission to the Mountain Christmas Boutique is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 14. There’s no cost to meet with Santa who is slated to be on-site Friday and Saturday between noon and 4:00 pm. The Mountain Christmas Boutique is open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on November 28 and 29 and from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm on November 30.
Attend the Illuminating Village Tree Lighting Ceremony
The end of November in Big Bear also marks the time of year when locals and visitors alike are invited to attend the always-exciting Village Tree Lighting Ceremony. This year, the lighting ceremony is scheduled to be held on November 29, 2024, starting at 5:00 pm. You’ll want to gather your traveling crew and make your way over to the corner of Pine Knot Avenue and Village Drive to be a part of this family-friendly gathering that always marks the official arrival of the holiday season in Big Bear. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on-site to say hello to the little ones and there will be plenty of tasty treats to go around as well. The lighting happens at 6:15 pm but coming early ensures you’ll get a great place to see the tree illuminated in thrilling style!
Shop the Big Bear Christkindlmarkt
Mid-December is the ideal time in Big Bear to set aside a few hours to explore the annual Christkindlemarkt. Inspired by traditional German holiday markets, the Big Bear Christkindlmarkt is held at the Big Bear Convention Center and will run from 1:00 pm until 6:30 pm on December 14, 2024. When you stop by, you can expect to enjoy live holiday entertainment, incredible vendors showcasing festive goods available to purchase, yummy holiday treats to enjoy, and a Wishing Tree too. There are plenty of games and holiday activities for little ones at the Big Bear Christkindlmarket including Gingerbread cooking decorating stations and ornament-making opportunities when a little creativity would go a long way toward the fun. You won’t want to leave without getting your picture with Christkindl or St. Nicholas when you visit the holiday market in Big Bear this season.
Holiday Shows to Add to Your Itinerary
For many holiday travelers, marking the festive season with a show or two is often a highlight of the getaway experience. When you head to Big Bear this holiday season, you’ll find there are plenty of opportunities to do exactly that. Over at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center at 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, you can purchase tickets to see The Nutcracker Ballet. This holiday favorite performance will take to the stage on December 14 at 7:00 pm and on December 15 at 2:00 pm. The ballet will be presented by the Moonridge School of Dance and will feature local talent as they tell a holiday story that’s both magical and memorable. A Ghost Story of Christmas will be performed at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center on December 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd in 2024 as well. This performance is presented by The Big Bear Theatre Project and is a one-man show adaptation of A Christmas Carol complete with special effects that are sure to thrill. The show starts at 7:30 pm on the 19th, 20th, and 21st, and at 2:00 pm on December 22nd.
Book Your One-of-a-Kind Holiday Getaway to Big Bear
Elevate your holiday getaway to Big Bear this year in comfort, luxury, and style by booking your Big Bear vacation rental through Big Bear Cabins. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with the entire family in tow, we have the property options available that keep you close to the seasonal events you can’t wait to check out and include the world-class features, furnishings, and amenities that make all the difference in your stay. Reach out today to learn more about our impressive lineup of options and to start turning holiday travel plans into a reality soon.
