Experience Christmas in Big Bear with 2025 events, snow adventures, and cozy cabin stays. Your full guide to holiday magic in the mountains.
Christmas in Big Bear has a way of surprising people — in the best possible way, of course. One minute you’re driving up the mountain, and the next you’re surrounded by snowy pines, glowing Village lights, and that crisp winter air you only get at 7,000 feet.
It’s cozy, it’s festive, and it’s the kind of atmosphere that makes holiday rentals in Big Bear feel like their own little winter escape.
Planning to be here for Christmas 2025? Great! This guide will walk you through the events, activities, and winter moments you won’t want to miss.
Big Bear’s Signature Christmas 2025 Events
Santa Claws at Big Bear Alpine Zoo
December 13 & 20, 2025 • 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Santa makes two special stops at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo — and this time he arrives as “Santa Claws.” Guests can meet him during regular zoo hours, snap photos, and enjoy a festive twist on a day spent visiting the zoo’s rescued animals. The visit is included with standard admission.
A Ghost Story of Christmas
December 19–27, 2025
Big Bear Theater Project brings back its original adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It’s reinvented each year to offer a fresh look at the classic: atmospheric, faithful to the story’s spirit, and designed to highlight why this tale still matters during the holidays. A strong choice for theatre lovers or anyone wanting something richer than the usual holiday fare.
Christkindlmarkt Big Bear
Saturday, December 20, 2025 • 2:00 PM–9:00 PM
This one-day holiday market blends European Christmas traditions with Big Bear’s mountain setting. Expect live entertainment from Southern Spirit, holiday craft stations (like gingerbread cookie decorating and ornament-making), shopping booths, contests for kids and adults, and the classic German Wishing Tree, where visitors make a wish and add an ornament of their own.
Santa Comes to Snow Summit
Saturday, December 20, 2025 • 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Santa swaps his sleigh for skis and heads to Snow Summit for a few hours on the slopes. Visitors can spot him riding the mountain, say hello, and grab photos between runs. It’s a fun, uniquely Big Bear holiday experience, especially for families spending the day at the resort.
Santa in the Village
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 22 • 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Santa and Mrs. Claus hold weekend hours in The Village throughout December, greeting families and posing for photos under the holiday lights. It’s simple, classic, and very Big Bear – an easy stop while shopping or exploring.
Alpine Zoo Wild Lights
Wednesday–Sunday, November 6, 2025 – January 4, 2026
The Alpine Zoo transforms into a glowing landscape with more than one million lights illuminating the pathways. The display is spread out across the grounds, turning each section of the zoo into its own themed, atmospheric winter scene. It runs well into the new year and is one of the most visually impressive seasonal experiences in Big Bear.
Coca-Cola Ride & Dine
December 26, 2025 – February 27, 2026
Every weekend evening, Snow Summit offers a Ride & Dine night, pairing extended skiing and snowboarding hours (3:00 PM–8:30 PM) with a casual dinner and Coca-Cola beverage on the Slopeside deck. It’s a relaxed, wintery way to enjoy the resort after the daytime crowds taper off.
Save More on Your Christmas Stay by Booking Directly with Sky High Cabins
December is peak season in Big Bear, and prices across most travel sites reflect that. What many visitors don’t realize, however, is that a significant portion of those inflated holiday totals comes from platform service fees, rather than from the cabin itself.
By booking your Big Bear cabin rental directly through Sky High Cabins, you avoid the inflated service, cleaning, and platform fees added by Airbnb and VRBO. Those extra charges can raise the total cost of a holiday stay by 30–50%, especially in December.
Sky High Cabins offers some of the best vacation rentals in Big Bear, from cozy pet-friendly cabins near The Village to larger homes perfect for families attending the December events and skiing at Snow Summit.
Many of our cabins come with everything that makes a winter stay feel special, such as hot tubs, fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, and views of snow-covered pines right outside your window.
Browse available cabins here or contact Sky High Cabins at 909-366-0706 for help finding the right rental for your Christmas 2025 stay.
