This week has already given us a reason to look up. Yesterday, skywatchers caught the tail end of the Perseid meteor shower’s peak, streaking across a moonless sky, while parts of the world watched a rare total solar eclipse cross paths with it. If this week has left you newly obsessed with the cosmos, there’s more where that came from. Just two hours from L.A., a mountain town known for its clear air and high elevation is turning that same fascination into an entire festival. From August 14–16, Big Bear Lake hosts SkyFest Big Bear, three days built entirely around astronomy, science, and the night sky.
What’s happening at SkyFest Big Bear
SkyFest runs daily from noon to 11pm across multiple venues in Big Bear, blending expert lectures with hands-on outdoor experiences. At the AstroFestival & Expo, held at the Big Bear Convention Center, visitors can walk through the immersive AstroDome, meet local astronomy groups, and catch talks from leading scientists — including NASA program scientist Dr. Dominic Benford, who will discuss the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and Caltech researcher Cameron Hummels, presenting recent discoveries on black holes and galaxy evolution.
After dark, the action shifts to Snow Summit for Stargaze at the Summit, where guests ride the Scenic Sky Chair up the mountain for telescope viewing with the Bear Valley Astronomical Society, guided night hikes, and night-sky talks. The same location hosts a forest sound bath and live plein air painting sessions capturing the night landscape, with finished artwork on display later at the Expo.
Photography lovers can join astrophotography workshops led by local photographer Brady Enger, covering techniques for shooting the Milky Way. Families, meanwhile, can head to the Big Bear Discovery Center for Nighttime DiscoverFest, a free evening of guided nature treks, wildlife education, and campfire storytelling for kids.
Key details 🌌
📅 Dates: August 14–16, 2026
⏰ Hours: Daily, 12pm–11pm across multiple venues
📍 Location: Big Bear Lake, CA (roughly 2 hours from L.A.)
🎟️ Tickets: Available at bigbear.com
