Oktoberfest returns to Big Bear Lake for its 55th season
Usa today news
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, a two-month party in the San Bernardino Mountains, kicked off its 55th season in the San Bernardino Mountains on Saturday, Sept. 6.
This was the first multi-weekend Oktoberfest to open in Southern California this year, closely followed by Old World Village Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach, which opened Sunday, Sept. 7. Both will run into November.
Staff dressed up in dirndles, lederhosen and Tyrolean hats greeted guests, there eat brats and chug bear from big Bavarian steins.
Bartender James Muller fills a stein for Big Bear Lake’s season opening Oktoberfest on Sunday, Sept. 07 2025. This is the 55th season of the event. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Temperatures in the mountains reached 76 degrees both days, at least 20 degrees cooler than most of Southern California.
Oktoberfest takes place at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center. It is an indoor/outdoor, day-and-night and mostly all ages affair. The atmosphere inside the convention center strives to be a little more authentically German than the party on the patio. Attendees can find sausages and kauerkraut as well as burgers, Munich Helles lager as well as local IPAs and margaritas, and oompah bands as well as rock ‘n’ roll and country.
Festmeister Hans performs with Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts for the opening weekend of Big Bear Lake’s Oktoberfest in Big Bear Lake CA on Sunday, Sept. 07 2025. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)Hannah Marini leads the other performing staff in a dance during Oktoberfest’s opening weekend at Big Bear Lake (CA) Convention Center on Sunday, Sept. 07 2025. The event kicked off its 55th season this weekend. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)A tap and stein of beer is reflected in bartender Jim Muller’s Sun glasses during Oktoberfest at the Big Bear Lake (CA) Convention Center on Sunday, Sept. 07 2025. The event kicked off its 55th season this weekend. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Sundays are family day, with free admission for children age 12 and younger, while “Beer Tasting Fridays” and “Saturday After Dark” are aimed at adults.
Visitors walk the Munich Midway filled with vendors during Big Bear Lake’s Oktoberfest opening weekend in Big Bear Lake CA on Sunday, Sept. 07 2025. This year marks its 55th season. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)Scott Richardson, an 18 year veteran jester at Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest plays with Haven, center, and Ryker in Big Bear Lake CA on Sunday, Sept. 07 2025. Richardson calls the Court Jester role the funnest job he’s ever had. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)12-year-old Nico Harriman of Mammoth tries to outlast the other 12-year-olds in holding up a stein of water during the children’s games of Oktoberfest at the Big Bear Lake (CA) convention center on Sunday, Sept. 07 2025. The Harriman’s made the trip to visit family as well as the event. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
“American heroes” — U.S. military, veterans, firefighters, law enforcers and healthcare workers — were offered free admission for opening weekend with discounts for family members. Other heroes dates will be Sept. 13-14, Nov. 1-2 and Nov. 8.
Lori Garnett what is filled with pins from previous Oktoberfests during this year’s opening weekend at Big Bear Lake Convention Center on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. Garnett has made at least one weekend since living in the area. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts invites everyone up to the stage for a toast during the opening weekend of Oktoberfest in Big Bear Lake on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. This is the 55th season of the event. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Hannah Marini and the rest of the performing staff dance during Big Bear Lake’s Oktoberfest opening weekend at the Convention Center in Big Bear Lake on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Eiley dances in a shower of bubbles before the children’s games at Big Bear Lake’s Oktoberfest opening weekend in Big Bear Lake CA on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. Sunday’s are family days with children getting free admission, and games just for children. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Tuba Player Robert Todd performs with Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts during Oktoberfest’s opening weekend at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. This is the event’s 55th season. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Devon Rader carries the log for the sawing competition of the Oktoberfest opening weekend at Big Bear Lake Convention Center on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts invites everyone up to the stage for a toast during the opening weekend of Oktoberfest in Big Bear Lake on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. This is the 55th season of the event. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Bartender James Muller offers up a stein full of beer for Big Bear Lake’s season opening Oktoberfest on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. This is the event’s 55th season. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Devon Rader performs during Oktoberfest at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center during their opening weekend on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
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Lori Garnett what is filled with pins from previous Oktoberfests during this year’s opening weekend at Big Bear Lake Convention Center on Sunday, Sept. 7 2025. Garnett has made at least one weekend since living in the area. (Photo by James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Opening weekend coincided with a three-day fundraiser at nearby Bear Mountain Ski Resort called the In-N-Out Burger’s Tough Mudder Challenge. That event brought people who make and sell Double-Doubles together with fans who eat them in endurance courses designed to bring forth grit and teamwork.
