Running Springs’ Pine Cone Festival has been a beloved annual tradition since 2006, welcoming families to the San Bernardino National Forest for nearly 2 decades. The volunteer-run event features pine cone crafts, a “World’s Largest Pine Cone” contest, and live music.
This year’s festival falls on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with a theme honoring “wildfire prevention, forest health, and family fun.”
Things to do at the 2025 Pine Cone Festival
The Pine Cone Festival offers a variety of activities for children and adults to connect with the forest setting around them.
- Mountain Fifes & Drums performance and opening ceremony – The Mountain Fifes & Drum Corps will march through the festival grounds before a 10 am opening ceremony honoring local first responders.
- Pine Cone Craft Contest – A formal craft contest featuring whimsical pine cone creations, where participants can enter their respective age group’s contest for a chance to win prizes.
- Pine cone craft station – The festival also hosts a craft station for attendees to make their own pine cone craft. You can enter your craft in the contest up until 2 pm.
- Pine Cone Olympics – All ages are welcome to join the Pine Cone Olympics from 10:30 am – 2 pm, featuring events like pine cone shot put, pine cone hoop toss, and pine cone archery. Watch out for the Pine Cone Brigade, a group of first responders who will compete against each other.
- World’s Largest Pine Cone contest – Start looking for your pine cone now for a chance to win the pine cone contest! Participants may enter the Coulter pine category, which measures by weight, and the Sugar pine category, which measures by length.
- Camp Cheekers – A children’s play area hosted by the festival’s squirrel mascot, Cheekers.
- Nature Walk – Grab a trail guide and embark on a 1, 2, or 3-mile nature walk through the forest. Each path has a station where you can stamp your trail guide and bring it back to the festival booth for prizes like pins and magnets.
- PineCone DogZone – The Pine Cone Festival is a dog-friendly event, and this year, they’ll host a dog costume parade and contest.
In addition to the above special events, guests will enjoy a festive environment with live music all day, fantastic food vendors, and a raffle.
Attending the Pine Cone Festival
📍 Location: 35100 State Highway 18, Running Springs, CA 92382
🅿️ Parking: Park at Snow Valley Mountain Resort, and you’ll find the festival across the street at Rim Nordic.
🗓️ Date and hours: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, from 9:30 am to 4 pm
🌐 Website: Learn more at PineConeFestival.org