❄️ Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
Big Bear at Christmas with kids
Curated by Simir Shah
When to go
Thanksgiving weekend
The Village tree lighting is this weekend, with Santa and Mrs. Claus, music and dancers. Visit Big Bear lists both Fri Nov 27 and Sat Nov 28, and the schedule is still to be announced, so confirm the date first.
Street parking isn't allowed. Use the Bartlett, Knickerbocker, Pennsylvania or Cottage Village lots, or the free Big Bear Trolley. Visit Big Bear
Tubing and skiing opening dates aren't set for this weekend, so don't promise the kids snow yet.
Dec 19 to Jan 3: peak holidays
The resort's holiday peak period, with hours extended to 8:30am to 8:30pm on select days at Snow Summit. Pricing is by date, and the resort advises buying in advance. Kids 4 and under ski free with a ticket-window redemption and physical ID.
Holiday events
Lights
Wild Lights at Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Nov 13 to Jan 3; choose your night when you buy
About two million lights, with a Rudolph storybook section. The zoo doesn't rent strollers or wheelchairs, and nightly hours aren't in the page text.
$20 per ticket; under 5 and zoo members free
Thanksgiving
Big Bear Turkey Trot
Thu Nov 26, 9:30 to 11am; pickup 8 to 9am
A 3-mile run or walk for all ages, from Dank Donuts on Moonridge Rd. Kids under 5 need a signed waiver, and only paid entries get a shirt, medal and bib.
Adults $43.40, under 18 $25, under 5 free; prices rise after Nov 24
Show
A Ghost Story of Christmas
Dec 17 to 20; start times may vary
The Big Bear Theater Project's adaptation of A Christmas Carol at the Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Blvd. No age guidance is listed, so check if you have little ones.
Ticketed; price not listed
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade at Snow Summit
Thu Dec 31, 6 to 10pm
The 62nd annual parade has over 200 skiers and snowboarders with torches, plus a concert and a (snow)ball drop. No advance registration or waivers are needed.
Free admission; parking not specified
Snow tubing: check height first
The rules are different at each place, and this is what decides where a family with little kids can go.
| Park | Season | Price | Kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly Ridge at Snow Summit | Dec 4 to Mar 21, daily 10am to 3:30pm, later on night session dates | $39 to $64 for 90 minutes | 42 inches and 40 lbs minimum, one person per tube. A ticket is required for every guest, including infants. No snow play area. |
| Big Bear Snow Play | 2026 opening not posted. 10am to 4pm; Glow Tubing 5 to 9pm Fri, Sat and holidays | $50 a session; small child $35 | 36 to 42 inches shares a tube with an adult. Under 36 inches isn't allowed past the gate. No reservations. |
| Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain | 2026 opening not posted. Night sessions 5 to 9pm Fri, Sat and holidays | $50 day session; small child $35 | 36 to 42 inches shares a tube with an adult. Under 36 inches isn't allowed past the gate. |
Prefer to play in the snow without tubing? See our snow day guide.
Santa and story time
Santa in The Village
Santa and Mrs. Claus are at the tree lighting. The official Santa's House page hasn't posted a 2026 schedule yet.
Santa Paws at the zoo
Meet Santa and take photos with a winter backdrop. The listing shows Dec 13 and 20 in one place and Dec 19 in another, so confirm with the zoo. Listing
Mountain Story Time
Stories and hot chocolate at the Big Bear Discovery Center in Fawnskin, Fridays and Sundays through Dec 20. The listing gives two different times, so check before you go. Listing
Chanukah in The Village
Chabad hosts a menorah lighting with a gelt drop from a Big Bear firetruck. The date on the listing looks out of date, so confirm with Chabad. Listing
Chains and roads
Chain rules
Visit Big Bear says to carry chains from Nov 1 to April 30. Under chain control, the speed limit is 25 or 30 mph.
- R-1: chains required, except passenger vehicles under 6,000 lbs with snow tires on two drive wheels.
- R-2: chains or traction devices required, except 4WD or AWD with snow-tread tires on all four wheels.
- R-3: chains required on all vehicles.
Check Caltrans QuickMap or call (800) 427-7623 before you leave. Caltrans
Which road
Visit Big Bear calls Hwy 38 through Redlands the most comfortable, Hwy 330 from Highland the most popular and Hwy 18 from Lucerne Valley the quickest climb. It doesn't recommend Hwy 18 through Waterman Canyon in snow.
Rental car chain bans don't excuse you from chain control, so it suggests renting AWD or 4WD. Visit Big Bear
It's about 2 to 2.5 hours from LA and about 2 hours from Orange County, without traffic or chain controls. More in our Big Bear with kids guide.
Dates and details checked against official pages on Nov 1, 2026. Snow and openings depend on conditions, so confirm before you drive up.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Wild Lights at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo?
Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Tickets are $20, and children under 5 and zoo members enter free. You choose your night when you buy.
When is the Big Bear tree lighting in 2026?
Thanksgiving weekend, but Visit Big Bear lists both Friday, Nov 27 and Saturday, Nov 28, and says the schedule is still to be announced. Confirm before you drive up.
Can toddlers go snow tubing in Big Bear?
It depends on height. Grizzly Ridge requires 42 inches and 40 lbs. Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine Slide let kids 36 to 42 inches share a tube with an adult, and don't allow kids under 36 inches past the gate.
When does Grizzly Ridge Tube Park open?
Dec 4, 2026, and it runs through March 21, with tickets from $39 to $64. It's closed until then.
Is the Big Bear Torchlight Parade free?
Yes. The resort says attendance is free and open to the public on Dec 31, 6 to 10pm at Snow Summit, with no registration or waivers. Parking details for that night aren't listed.
Do I need chains to drive to Big Bear?
Visit Big Bear says to carry chains from Nov 1 to April 30. Whether they must go on depends on the chain control in effect, so check Caltrans QuickMap or call (800) 427-7623.
How far is Big Bear from LA and Orange County?
About 2 to 2.5 hours from LA and about 2 hours from Orange County, without traffic or chain controls.