Celebrate the close of summer with high-energy water competitions, lakeside lounging, live music, family-friendly fun, and that unbeatable mountain sun. This isn’t just a festival—it’s Big Bear’s farewell to summer, set to a soundtrack of laughter, splashdowns, and golden hour skies. Let’s send the season off in style!
Click below to learn about each event or activity!
🚣♂️ Paddle Lakefest
A collection of paddle races on Stand-Up Paddleboards, Kayaks, and more! The relay race is accessible to all and doesn’t even require you to have your own boat. There will be distances of:
The Dooley Cup - A 20k paddle circumnavigating all of Big Bear Lake!
Lakefest Classic 10k - Test your speed at the shorter, but still very challenging 10k distance.
Paddlefest 5k - The OG race, for everyone!
Paddle, Paddle, Pass 1-mile Relay - No boat or experience required! This is our shortest race that gets your friends and family out on the water with you.
Open Water Swim races on Big Bear Lake. Course will start on the sand at Swim Beach, head out to the tip of Eagle Point, and then return for an exit onto the grass at Ski Beach Park (Lakefest HQ). NEW for 2025 we will have 2 distances, a 1.2 mile and a 2.4 mile race.
New for 2025 there will be a 2nd Festival Stage dedicated to singer songwriter and Open Mic!
Full 2nd stage schedule to be released soon!
🍺 Beer Garden and Local Food Vendors
Enjoy some refreshments from our friends at Lake Arrowhead Brewing, Coronado Brewing, and Big Bear Brewing while taking in all the Lakefest action including:
Be careful, you might get challenged! In the “call-out” division, anyone can challenge anyone else to join them at the table and test their strength. Then, professional arm wrestlers compete for a cash prize. Enjoy the spectacle you didn’t know you needed in your life!
Featuring athletes from Nitro Circus & ESPN XGames - our headline entertainment act will showcase high-flying acrobatics and lakeside tricks to pump you up.
All ages are welcome! This is a family friendly event. Unruly behavior will not be tolerated and management reserves the right to deny access to Lakefest for any reason. All patrons are subject to search. Lakefest is a rain or shine event and will proceed except in the cases of unsafe weather conditions. Lineup and set times are subject to change without notice. Merchandise, food and beverage vendors accept credit/debit/mobile pay only.
For Press/Media inquiries, please contact: media@elevatedsocal.com.
Interested in becoming a vendor? Please contact: vendor@elevatedsocal.com.
Transportation - Lakefest joins our partners at Mountain Transit and Big Bear Cycling Association to promote alternate modes of transportation to the event and all weekend long. Our signature lakeside location at Ski Beach will have no on-site parking. We love our neighbors! So, grab your bike and park at bike valet, hop on Mountain Transit from anywhere in town, or park in our free satellite lot at the corner of Fox Farm & Garstin Dr. and use our free shuttles. Receive a FREE BEER coupon when you use our secure bike valet!
Need a place to stay?
Check out our Premier Lodging Sponsor Big Bear Vacations, and our host hotel Sessions Retreat within walking distance to Lakefest. Looking for something a little more secluded? The Outpost in Fawnskin is your hideaway on the North Shore.
