Big Bear Festival of Lights Contest: Shine Bright This Christmas

Don’t just admire the lights—join the Big Bear Festival of Lights and be part of the holiday magic!

This annual contest invites local homes and businesses to deck the halls and compete for over $12,000 in prizes. Your dazzling display could shine on the official holiday map and draw visitors from all over Southern California.

Join the fun, spread the cheer, and help make Big Bear one of the brightest Christmas destinations in the mountains this season!

Don’t forget to register your display so you can be included in the contest. Registration deadline is on Nov 23, 2025.

Promotional flyer for the 2025 Big Bear Lake Festival of Lights, featuring event dates, registration details, and prize information for the holiday decorating competition — Official 2025 Big Bear Lake Festival of Lights flyer, presented by Visit Big Bear and the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce

There are 3 display categories:

Classic Alpine Christmas
Cinematic Spectacle
Tis the Spirit of the Season

You can begin voting on December 1st. Visit the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center for your ballot. Explore the mountain homes and businesses, enjoy the holiday lights and themed displays, vote for your favorite in each category and return your ballot to the visitor center.

When:
• Registration Deadline: November 23, 2025
• Competition Dates: December 1–31, 2025
• Prize Announcement: January 5, 2026

While you’re enjoying the decorated homes and businesses, don’t forget to also visit the Big Bear Zoo. They have their Alpine Zoo Wild Lights event going on from November 6 to January 4, 2026, featuring over a million sparkling lights, festive displays, and a magical walk-through winter experience perfect for families and animal lovers alike.

Can’t make it up the mountain to vote for your favorite? Stay tuned with @BigBearWaypoint on our social media. We’ll be posting photos of homes and businesses that are registered and you can help us vote for the best one. See links below.