New Year's Eve in Big Bear 2026: Events, Winter Activities & Where to Stay
Why celebrate New Year's Eve at home when you could ring in 2027 surrounded by the mountains?
New Year's Eve in Big Bear combines winter adventures, mountain scenery, cozy cabin nights, and one of the area's most anticipated annual traditions: the New Year's Eve Concert & Torchlight Parade at Snow Summit.
Whether you're planning a romantic New Year's getaway, bringing the family, or celebrating with friends, Big Bear offers plenty of ways to make the final day of 2026 one to remember.
Here's what to know before planning your New Year's Eve in Big Bear 2026.
When Is New Year's Eve in Big Bear?
New Year's Eve falls on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
The biggest confirmed celebration is Snow Summit's 62nd Annual New Year's Eve Concert & Torchlight Parade, scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The event takes place at: Snow Summit
880 Summit Boulevard Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Attendance is currently listed as free and open to the public, with no advance registration required for the parade viewing area.
See the New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade
The Torchlight Parade is the centerpiece of New Year's Eve at Snow Summit.
More than 200 skiers and snowboarders are scheduled to descend the mountain carrying torches, creating a stream of lights across the slopes after dark.
The evening concludes with Snow Summit's signature snowball drop, giving Big Bear its own mountain-style take on the traditional New Year's Eve countdown celebration.
Festivities begin around 6:00 p.m., with live entertainment planned throughout the evening.
Spend New Year's Eve on the Slopes
You don't have to wait until evening to start celebrating.
Snow Summit currently plans to begin skiing and snowboarding operations at 8:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve, subject to weather and mountain conditions.
That means you can spend the final day of 2026 on the mountain before sticking around for the evening celebration.
Whether you're an experienced skier or trying a lesson, spending New Year's Eve on the slopes creates a completely different way to end the year.
Always check current mountain conditions and operating information before your visit.
Enjoy Live Entertainment
Snow Summit plans to feature live entertainment throughout the day leading into the evening festivities.
Instead of arriving just before the parade, consider making an entire day out of your visit.
Ski or snowboard, grab something to eat, enjoy the mountain atmosphere, and stay for the Torchlight Parade once the sun goes down.
Grab Dinner Before the Celebration
You'll want to leave time for dinner somewhere in your New Year's Eve plans.
Snow Summit plans to have select dining venues available during the festivities, or you can head into Big Bear Lake for a meal before the evening celebration.
New Year's Eve is a popular night for dining, so reservations may be worth considering if you have a particular restaurant in mind.
Another option is to prepare dinner back at your cabin before heading out for the night.
Explore The Village
The Village is another great addition to your New Year's getaway.
Spend part of the day browsing local shops, grab coffee or something sweet, and enjoy Big Bear's winter atmosphere before heading to Snow Summit.
If you're staying for several days, save a separate afternoon for The Village so you don't feel rushed on New Year's Eve.
Go Snow Tubing
Not everyone in your group has to ski or snowboard.
Depending on current conditions and operations, spend part of your New Year's getaway snow tubing at one of Big Bear's tubing parks.
Options include:
Big Bear Snow Play
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
Grizzly Ridge Tube Park
Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine Slide also offer Glow Tubing on select evenings.
Check current operating schedules, restrictions, and availability when planning your trip.
Spend the Day Playing in the Snow
If fresh snow has arrived, simply enjoying the winter scenery can be part of your trip.
Build a snowman, take winter photos, enjoy a walk, or find an appropriate public snow-play area.
Just remember to follow local safety rules.
Never sled near roadways, use highway turnouts for snow play, trespass on private property, or walk onto the ice covering Big Bear Lake.
Celebrate New Year's Eve at Your Cabin
You don't have to spend the entire night out.
After seeing the Torchlight Parade, head back to your cabin and create your own celebration.
Make appetizers, play games, turn on music, watch a favorite movie, or count down to midnight together.
For families with younger children or groups that would rather skip a crowded late-night celebration, having your own cabin gives you the freedom to celebrate however you want.
Plan a Romantic New Year's Getaway
Big Bear can also turn New Year's Eve into a romantic mountain escape.
Spend the afternoon exploring, enjoy dinner together, see the Torchlight Parade, and return to your cabin for a quieter countdown.
Then start 2027 with coffee, mountain views, and a slow morning together.
Instead of squeezing everything into December 31, book a few nights and make New Year's Eve the centerpiece of a longer getaway.
What to Do on New Year's Day
Don't rush home on January 1.
Start the new year with a relaxed morning at your cabin before heading out for another day in Big Bear.
Depending on weather and operating conditions, you could:
Ski or snowboard
Go snow tubing
Explore The Village
Enjoy a winter walk
Grab brunch or coffee
Take in the scenery around Big Bear Lake
Spend a relaxing afternoon at your cabin
Giving yourself an extra night also means you don't have to worry about leaving immediately after your New Year's Eve celebration.
What Will the Weather Be Like?
It's far too early to predict the exact weather for December 31, 2026.
Winter conditions in Big Bear can vary significantly, and snowfall cannot be guaranteed for any particular date.
Check the forecast as your trip approaches and plan accordingly.
If winter weather is expected, monitor road conditions and chain controls before driving into the mountains.
What to Pack for New Year's Eve in Big Bear
Prepare for cold mountain temperatures, especially if you'll be standing outside at night for the Torchlight Parade.
Consider packing:
Warm winter jacket
Sweaters and base layers
Gloves
Warm hat
Thick socks
Waterproof or water-resistant shoes
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Extra blankets for the car
Appropriate traction devices for your vehicle
If you plan on skiing, snowboarding, or tubing, pack appropriate winter gear or arrange rentals ahead of time.
Prepare for New Year's Holiday Traffic
The period between Christmas and New Year's is a popular time to visit Big Bear.
Give yourself additional travel time, especially if winter weather is affecting mountain roads.
Check Caltrans road conditions before leaving and again before your return trip.
If chain controls are active, follow all posted requirements.
Planning ahead can make the difference between starting your getaway stressed and arriving ready to enjoy it.
Book Your New Year's Cabin Early
New Year's Eve is not a weekend where you'll want to leave accommodations until the last minute.
If you need a larger property, specific amenities, or want to stay in a particular part of Big Bear, booking earlier can give you more options.
A Big Bear Experiences luxury cabin gives you a home base for the entire celebration.
Spend the day exploring, head out for New Year's Eve festivities, and return to your own space at the end of the night.
Then wake up on January 1 surrounded by the mountains and start the new year somewhere special.
Ring in 2027 in Big Bear
New Year's Eve only comes once a year, so turn it into more than a single night.
Spend the final day of 2026 skiing, snowboarding, tubing, exploring The Village, or relaxing at your cabin before experiencing Snow Summit's Torchlight Parade.
Then return to your cabin, celebrate midnight your way, and wake up ready for your first Big Bear adventure of 2027.
Book your New Year's getaway with Big Bear Experiences and make the final trip of 2026 one you'll remember well into the new year.
