Big Bear is OPEN for business thanks to firefighting crews’ around-the-clock efforts to get the upper hand on the Line Fire incident, which has continued to subside.
Three routes to Big Bear are OPEN, which includes Hwy. 38 (through Redlands), Hwy. 18 (through San Bernardino / Crestline), and Hwy. 18 (through Lucerne Valley). Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, Big Bear’s most popular fall event, is set to resume this Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, after foregoing last weekend’s event. Organizers of the event are thrilled to have Die Aalbachtler, a 10-piece band direct from Germany, headline this weekend’s festivities.
Big Bear’s pleasantly cool weather conditions have also played an integral role in aiding firefighters’ suppression of the Line Fire. Big Bear’s weekend temperatures are expected to be in the lower 70s with clear skies, providing ideal conditions for a weekend getaway to Southern California’s favorite alpine resort. Moreover, the air quality in the mountains have significantly rebounded. At the time of this press release, the air quality index (AQI) at the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest site was rated good (0-50), which is the best level of air quality according to Air Quality Management District.
“We’re extremely grateful for the firefighting efforts that have kept Big Bear safe and secure,” said Monica Marini, director of Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest. “Plus, we’re blessed to have quality weather all-weekend long, and it’s important to note there are three open roads to Big Bear.”
Big Bear guests traveling from Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire and San Diego via Interstate 10 are advised to take Hwy. 38 (through Redlands). Guests traveling from San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles areas via Interstate 210 are advised to take Hwy. 18 (through San Bernardino / Crestline). Guests from the desert communities, North LA County or Las Vegas are advised to take Hwy. 18 (through Lucerne Valley).
“We appreciate the concern, thoughts and prayers of all of our guests and extended families. The support has been amazing and we are so excited to welcome our guests back,” added Marini. “We now have so much more to celebrate!”
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is Southern California’s most authentic Oktoberfest, which not only reflects the scenery and heritage of the Bavarian Alps of Germany, but also delivers various elements that emulate the original celebration in Munich, Germany. Over the next six weekends, three different bands direct from Germany, are scheduled to perform traditional Bavarian oom-pah-pah-style music. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is the only Oktoberfest in Southern California, and one of the very few in the nation, that import bands directly from Germany to perform live.
Plus, there are festive beer gardens that serve choice imported German beers, food courts with authentic German fare, plenty of cheerful chicken dances, and the Munich Midway, which features a variety of skill games, inflatables, and mechanical bull. Guests are encouraged to get into the action themselves. Fun competitions and contests at Oktoberfest include log sawing and stein holding. Plus, there are plenty of children’s fun and games such as kiddy-mug-holding matches and pretzel toss.
The 54th Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is every weekend in September and October, and continues to Saturday, November 2, 2024. The weekend festivities take place at Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Event times are Saturdays 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays 12 noon to 6 p.m. and Fridays (October only) 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. To pre-purchase tickets or for general information visit
BigBearEvents.com or call 909-585-3000.
3 Routes to Big Bear Lake – Directions:
Hwy. 38 (through Redlands)Directions: Take Interstate 10 east to Redlands. Exit at Orange Street. Take Orange Street north to Lugonia Ave. Turn right at Lugonia Ave. to Hwy. 38. Stay on Hwy. 38 to Big Bear Lake.
Hwy. 18 (through Crestline)Directions: Take Interstate 10 east to Waterman exit in San Bernardino. Take Waterman north to Highway 18. Continue on Hwy. 18 through Crestline. Stay on Hwy. 18 to Big Bear Lake.
Hwy. 18 (through Lucerne Valley) Directions: From the high desert and Las Vegas take Interstate 15 to Victorville. Exit at Bear Valley Rd. east to Lucerne Valley. Turn right at Hwy. 18. Stay on Hwy. 18 to Big Bear Lake. From the low desert take Hwy. 247 north to Hwy. 18. Turn left at Hwy. 18. Stay on Hwy. 18 to Big Bear Lake.
