Last updated October 2026
Cyndi likes buyers to spend a day in a town before they choose it. Drive the streets, walk around, and see whether the place fits the way you want to use a house.
This list runs from October 15 through December 31, 2026. A few holiday seasons continue into January. Each link opens the organizer's page in a new tab. Confirm the date there before you drive up.
Christmas and Thanksgiving as a family visit are on holidays in the mountains. The highway check is Caltrans QuickMap. Town guides are on the community pages.
October 2026
Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest
Saturday and Sunday through Oct 25, 2026
Waterfront Park, Lake Arrowhead Village, Lake Arrowhead, CA
Free-admission 45th annual Oktoberfest with German beer, food, music, and contests.
Come for the event, and see what living in Lake Arrowhead is like.
Halloween at Lake Arrowhead Village
Oct 31, 2026, 3–6 PM
Lake Arrowhead Village, 28200 Hwy 189, Lake Arrowhead, CA
Free trick-or-treating, plus dance performances.
Come for the event, and see what living in Lake Arrowhead is like.
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks Farmers Market
Thursdays, 2–6:30 PM
Twin Peaks Farmers Market, 26012 Hwy 189, Twin Peaks, CA
Thursday farmers market.
Come for the event, and see what living in Twin Peaks is like.
Crestline
"Ghouls" Just Want Wine-O-Bingo
Oct 17, 2026, 5:30–8 PM
Masonic Lodge, Crestline, CA
Wine bingo. $40.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Civil War Ball
Oct 17, 2026, 4:30–8 PM
Church of the Woods, Crestline, CA
Mountain Fifes & Drums Civil War Ball. Free.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Coffee and Walk Around Lake Gregory
Wednesdays, 8:30–10 AM, through December 2026
Lake Gregory, Crestline, CA
Wednesday coffee and a walk around Lake Gregory with the Crest Forest Senior Citizens' Club.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Skyforest
Tunes in the Trees
Oct 16 and Oct 23, 2026, 7–9 PM
SkyPark at Santa's Village, Skyforest, CA
Friday live music under the pines, included with SkyPark admission. The series ends Oct 23.
Come for the event, and see what living in Skyforest is like.
Running Springs
Running Springs Farmers Market & Artisan Faire
Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM, through Nov 21, 2026
Next to the library, Running Springs, CA
Saturday market next to the library, through Nov 21.
Come for the event, and see what living in Running Springs is like.
Fawnskin
Mountain Story Time
Fridays and Sundays through Dec 20, 2026
Big Bear Discovery Center, Fawnskin, CA
Stories and hot chocolate.
Big Bear Lake
tick, tick...BOOM!
Oct 15–25, 2026
Big Bear Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA
Big Bear Theatre Project stages Jonathan Larson's musical.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Weekends, Oct 16 to Nov 14, 2026
Big Bear Lake Convention Center, Big Bear Lake, CA
Long-running Oktoberfest with German beer, food, and music. Weekends 6–10.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Renntober – European Car Weekend
Oct 16–18, 2026
Bear Creek Resort, 40210 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA
Free European car enthusiast weekend.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Big Bear Pickleball Getaway
Oct 22–25, 2026
Meadow Park, 41220 Park Ave, Big Bear Lake, CA
Social round-robin pickleball for all levels.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Alta Film Festival
Oct 23–25, 2026
Village Theaters, 602 Pine Knot Ave, Big Bear Lake, CA
Indie film festival with screenings, panels, and parties. Also at other venues.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Community Pumpkin Patch
Oct 24, 2026, 10 AM–2 PM
Snow Summit base, 880 Summit Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA
Lions Club free pumpkins for kids, games, and a costume contest.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Boo at The Zoo
Oct 31, 2026
Big Bear Alpine Zoo, 42801 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA
Costumed trick-or-treating among the zoo's animals.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Halloween in The Village
Oct 31, 2026, 4–7:30 PM
The Village, Big Bear Lake, CA
City-run trick-or-treating for families and dogs in costume.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
November 2026
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks Farmers Market
Thursdays, 2–6:30 PM
Twin Peaks Farmers Market, 26012 Hwy 189, Twin Peaks, CA
Thursday farmers market.
Come for the event, and see what living in Twin Peaks is like.
Crestline
Coffee and Walk Around Lake Gregory
Wednesdays, 8:30–10 AM, through December 2026
Lake Gregory, Crestline, CA
Wednesday coffee and a walk around Lake Gregory with the Crest Forest Senior Citizens' Club.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Craft Faire
Nov 7–8, 2026, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM
Leisure Shores, Crestline, CA
Free holiday craft and bake fair.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Alice in Bizzyland
Nov 13, 2026, 8–10 PM
Bizzyland, 23594 Lake Dr, Crestline, CA
Evening at Bizzyland. $10.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Top Town Fall Fest
Nov 14, 2026, 1–4 PM
Crest Forest Dr and Hwy 138, Crestline, CA
Free music, food, and kids' crafts.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Holidays in the Pines
From Nov 30, 2026, into December
Lake Dr and Crest Forest Dr, Crestline, CA
Free holiday lights and festivities. Santa comes to town. The chamber calendar shows daily dates from Nov 30, including Dec 4 through Dec 9.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Skyforest
Santa's Village Holiday Season
Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027
SkyPark at Santa's Village, Skyforest, CA
The park turns into a Christmas wonderland with Santa, parades, and lights.
Come for the event, and see what living in Skyforest is like.
Running Springs
Running Springs Farmers Market & Artisan Faire
Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM, through Nov 21, 2026
Next to the library, Running Springs, CA
Saturday market next to the library, through Nov 21.
Come for the event, and see what living in Running Springs is like.
Fawnskin
Mountain Story Time
Fridays and Sundays through Dec 20, 2026
Big Bear Discovery Center, Fawnskin, CA
Stories and hot chocolate.
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Weekends, Oct 16 to Nov 14, 2026
Big Bear Lake Convention Center, Big Bear Lake, CA
Long-running Oktoberfest with German beer, food, and music. Weekends 6–10.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
One Sky Week
Nov 1–7, 2026
Various venues, Big Bear Lake, CA
Night hikes, telescope stargazing, and dark-sky events.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Alpine Zoo Wild Lights
Nov 12, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027, 5–8 PM
Big Bear Alpine Zoo, 42801 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA
2 million lights in four themed zones at the zoo. Free opening on Nov 12.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Big Bear Turkey Trot
Nov 26, 2026, 9:30–11 AM
Dank Donuts, 42612 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA
Family-friendly 3-mile Thanksgiving run and walk.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Big Bear Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov 27, 2026
The Village, Big Bear Lake, CA
Village tree lighting with music, dancing, and Santa.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Mountain Christmas Boutique
Nov 27–28, 2026, 11 AM–6 PM
Big Bear Convention Center, 42900 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA
Holiday craft market with Santa visits and kids' crafts.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Wrightwood
Wrightwood Certified Farmers Market
Fridays, November through April, 3–5:30 PM
Community Center, Wrightwood, CA
Friday certified farmers market. November through April hours are 3–5:30 PM.
Mountain Holiday Celebration
Nov 27–28, 2026, 10 AM–8 PM
Wrightwood, Wrightwood, CA
Tree lighting, Santa, hay rides, and a Parade of Lights at 6 PM on Nov 28.
December 2026
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks Farmers Market
Thursdays, 2–6:30 PM
Twin Peaks Farmers Market, 26012 Hwy 189, Twin Peaks, CA
Thursday farmers market.
Come for the event, and see what living in Twin Peaks is like.
Crestline
Coffee and Walk Around Lake Gregory
Wednesdays, 8:30–10 AM, through December 2026
Lake Gregory, Crestline, CA
Wednesday coffee and a walk around Lake Gregory with the Crest Forest Senior Citizens' Club.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Holidays in the Pines
From Nov 30, 2026, into December
Lake Dr and Crest Forest Dr, Crestline, CA
Free holiday lights and festivities. Santa comes to town. The chamber calendar shows daily dates from Nov 30, including Dec 4 through Dec 9.
Come for the event, and see what living in Crestline is like.
Skyforest
Santa's Village Holiday Season
Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027
SkyPark at Santa's Village, Skyforest, CA
The park turns into a Christmas wonderland with Santa, parades, and lights.
Come for the event, and see what living in Skyforest is like.
Running Springs
December Craft Corner
Dec 16 and Dec 23, 2026
Running Springs Branch Library, Running Springs, CA
Winter crafts for ages 6–11.
Come for the event, and see what living in Running Springs is like.
Fawnskin
Mountain Story Time
Fridays and Sundays through Dec 20, 2026
Big Bear Discovery Center, Fawnskin, CA
Stories and hot chocolate.
Big Bear Lake
Alpine Zoo Wild Lights
Nov 12, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027, 5–8 PM
Big Bear Alpine Zoo, 42801 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA
2 million lights in four themed zones at the zoo. Free opening on Nov 12.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Chanukah & Menorah Lighting
Dec 21, 2026
Pine Knot Ave and Village Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA
Yearly public menorah lighting in The Village.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
New Year's Eve Concert & Torchlight Parade
Dec 31, 2026, 6–10 PM
Snow Summit, 880 Summit Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA
62nd annual torchlight parade by 200+ skiers. Free to watch.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Wrightwood
Wrightwood Certified Farmers Market
Fridays, November through April, 3–5:30 PM
Community Center, Wrightwood, CA
Friday certified farmers market. November through April hours are 3–5:30 PM.
January 2027
Skyforest
Santa's Village Holiday Season
Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027
SkyPark at Santa's Village, Skyforest, CA
The park turns into a Christmas wonderland with Santa, parades, and lights.
Come for the event, and see what living in Skyforest is like.
Big Bear Lake
Alpine Zoo Wild Lights
Nov 12, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027, 5–8 PM
Big Bear Alpine Zoo, 42801 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA
2 million lights in four themed zones at the zoo. Free opening on Nov 12.
Come for the event, and see what living in Big Bear Lake is like.
Questions about mountain events
What is there to do in Lake Arrowhead this weekend?
Lake Arrowhead events on this page are grouped by month. Open the organizer's link for the time on the weekend you are coming. Homes in that town: lake arrowhead. Highway check: Caltrans QuickMap.
Where can I find Big Bear events in December?
December events in Big Bear Lake are in the December section, including a season that started in November and is still going. Confirm the date on the organizer's page. Homes in Big Bear: big bear.
Can I visit a mountain town before I buy a house there?
Yes. Come for a public event, walk the town, and see how the place feels. Cyndi likes buyers to spend a day in a town before they choose it. Community guides: community guides. Which town fits: which mountain community. Cyndi Lamperts, DRE #02187485: DRE license lookup.