What's Happening in Big Bear This Weekend: November 6–8

The first full weekend of November is here, and Big Bear is easing out of Halloween with a weekend that has a little of everything: a big mountain marathon, two more Oktoberfest weekends including the season's grand finale, cyclocross at The Ranch, a harvest festival, an evening of tango, and the last of our dark-sky week. Here is Holly's guide to everything happening in Big Bear from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8, plus what is coming in the week of November 9 through 15.

REVEL Big Bear marathon: race day is Saturday

The REVEL Big Bear Marathon and Half Marathon returns on Saturday, November 7, with both races starting at 6:00 a.m. Runners load early-morning race buses from the cities for the mountain start, and Friday's expo and packet pickup runs 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ontario Convention Center. It is a bucket-list course for runners from all over, and with a little extra activity on the mountain roads that morning, it is also a wonderful weekend to cheer from the sidelines. Course details and registration are all on runrevel.com.

Oktoberfest: one more full weekend, then the grand finale

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest keeps the party going at the Convention Center, 42900 Big Bear Blvd, this Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8: German bands, hearty food, the legendary stein-carrying contest, and a kids zone so the whole family can join in. And the season is not done yet, the 2026 run wraps with a grand finale on Saturday, November 14, the final ticketed day according to the official organizer. If you have been meaning to make it up for a brew and some oompah, this is the month to do it. Tickets and exact hours are on the official pages at bigbearevents.com and bigbear.com.

Big Bear Double Cross: cyclocross at The Ranch

The Big Bear Double Cross cyclocross race takes over The Ranch in Big Bear City on Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8. Think fast, muddy bike racing on a twisty off-road course, plus a beer garden, food, and live music in the cold, crisp mountain air. It is one of those wonderfully specific Big Bear weekends that always brings a great crowd. More on the bigbear.com events page.

Harvest Festival at Sunnybrook Estate

Sunnybrook Estate at 42488 Moonridge Rd hosts its Harvest Festival on Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: a little fall village with pumpkins, scarecrows, festive music, and family-friendly activities. It is one last taste of autumn before the holidays take over, and a perfect stop with kids. You will find it in the tourism bureau's November events roundup at bigbear.com.

An evening of tango at the Performing Arts Center

For date night, Furia Tanguera brings Argentine tango to the Big Bear Performing Arts Center at 39707 Big Bear Blvd on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.: live music, dramatic dancing, and a very different way to spend an evening in the mountains. Tickets and details are on the performance page.

One Sky Week: the last of our dark-sky celebration

One Sky Week wraps up this weekend, as Care for Big Bear and friends celebrate everything that makes our mountain nights so special: astronomy talks, night-sky conservation programs, and guided stargazing hikes leading into Dark Sky International's gathering. The valley's dark skies are one of the best reasons to own a cabin up here, so bundle up and look up. The program schedule is on the bigbear.com events page.

Next week: Veterans Day, and the Oktoberfest grand finale

Wednesday, November 11 is Veterans Day, and the City of Big Bear Lake, American Legion Post 584, and American Legion Riders Chapter 584 host the annual ceremony at Veterans Park on Big Bear Blvd starting at 11:00 a.m. It is a moving morning, and a sweet chance to say thank you to the veterans in our mountain community. Details are on the tourism bureau's fall events page.

Then on Saturday, November 14, Oktoberfest's grand finale closes out the 2026 season at the Convention Center, 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. per the organizer's ticketing calendar. It is the last chance for schnitzel, stein-holding, and oompah for a whole year, so if you have been meaning to go, circle the date.

A few seasonal notes

Our farmers markets have closed for the season, the Tuesday market at the Convention Center and the Friday market at Ski Beach Park both wrapped up in the fall, so the produce and craft stands will be back when the weather turns warm. Meanwhile, the mountain resorts are busy with preseason work and snowmaking, so keep an eye on Big Bear Mountain Resort's site for Opening Day news, and if you visit often, it is a great time to make sure you are winter-driving ready: chains, wipers, and an early departure on snow days.

As the days get shorter, the first holiday lights are starting to appear in the Village, and the cabins are getting cozier by the week. There is no better season to fall in love with Big Bear.

However you spend this weekend, enjoy every minute of it. And if a home up here is in your plans, that is exactly what I love to help with. Start with my Buying Guide, wander the Neighborhood Guides to find the community that feels like you, and check the Market Report for the latest numbers. Your Big Bear Realtor, Holly Gardner.