Top 5 Christmas Activities in Big Bear

Big Bear Lake in December is a different place from the summer crowds. The mountain gets cold, the snow arrives, and the village puts on a proper Christmas. Here are five things worth doing over the holiday season.

1. Christmas Tree Lane

The village decorates for the holidays in a way that's hard to miss. Pine Knot Avenue is lined with lights and Christmas trees, and the shops stay open late through December. It's a good evening walk after dinner, especially when there's fresh snow on the ground.

2. Skiing and Snowboarding at Snow Summit

Snow Summit typically opens in late November and runs through the holiday period. Christmas week is one of the busiest times on the mountain, so book lift tickets in advance. The resort runs night skiing on select evenings, which is worth doing at least once.

3. Big Bear Lake Ice Skating

An outdoor ice rink opens in the village during the holiday season, usually from late November through January. It's a short skate but a fun one, and the setting with the mountains behind it is hard to beat. Skate rentals are available on-site.

4. Holiday Lights Tour

Several neighborhoods around Big Bear Lake go all-out with Christmas lights. Drive the north shore of the lake after dark and you'll find houses decorated from roof to fence. The area around Moonridge is particularly worth a slow drive through.

5. New Year's Eve at the Village

The village hosts a New Year's Eve celebration with live music, fireworks over the lake, and late-night dining at most of the restaurants. It's a busy night, so book your cabin and dinner reservation well ahead. The fireworks reflect off the lake when conditions are right, which makes for a good view from the shore.