For the first time in Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest’s 51-year history, there is a celebration every Friday in October. Visitors wanting to get an early start on their Big Bear weekend getaway have one more reason to arrive a little early–Chicken Dancing fun.

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest’s Friday nights are an intimate indoors event with all the same great Oktoberfest fixings, including real German beer, authentic German cuisine, log-sawing contests, and lively bands playing polkas, classic rock, and of course the chicken dance!  This year’s event has limited capacity, and most Saturdays are anticipated to sell out, which is another reason why Friday nights were a natural fit at this year’s Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest. Fridays provide an option to attend this year’s festival with better opportunity to get tickets because of the limited capacity situation.

When it comes to Oktoberfest celebrations, Big Bear Lake is perfectly situated in its Alpine environment with evergreens trees, mountain vistas and a town-square village that resembles the Bavarian Alps of Germany. It is also the highest altitude Oktoberfest in the U.S. at 6,750’. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest takes pride in serving the very same beer poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest, as well. There are two bars that service the inside of the Convention Center and multiple bier gartens (beer gardens) on the outside, including the Craft Haus, which provides a variety of micro brews and craft beer, ideal for beer connoisseurs. The food is authentic to German tradition, too. The bratwurst is from a German butcher in Glendale, and fresh apple strudel and pretzels are delivered weekly from a German bakery in Costa Mesa. Plus, there are fun competitions and contests at Oktoberfest including log sawing and stein holding.

If you go:

The 2021 Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is every weekend now through November 7. The weekend festivities take place at Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Event times are Fridays (October only) 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays 12 noon to 6 p.m. This year’s event does have limited capacity, and some dates are anticipated to sell out. Guests are strongly encouraged to pre-purchase tickets. Saturdays in October have set arrival entry time blocks to ensure everyone with a pre-purchased tickets get a speedy entrance into the event. Tickets are on a first come, first served basis. For ticket pricing details or to purchase tickets online, including general admission, preferred seating, and the Sunday Family Fun Package, visit BigBearEvents.com, or Facebook, or call 909-585-3000. 

Images courtesy of BigBearEvents.com

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