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Paddle and swim races energize Big Bear’s shore
Open-water races, paddle competition, vendors, music, and family activities fill Swim Beach during a two-day late-summer lake festival in the mountains.
Event details
Big Bear LakeFest keeps the water genuinely central with paddle and swim competition, demonstrations, vendors, music, and family activities at Swim Beach, letting athletes and spectators move easily between race viewing and shoreline recreation across two late-summer days each year. A dedicated kids’ swim heat lets younger family members take part rather than only watching from the sand.
Because racing, vendors, and family activities all share the same shoreline location, children can watch a paddle race finish, then walk directly into the water themselves, a seamless structure that blurs the line between spectating and participating throughout the day.
Late-summer cabins and hotels remain popular around the lake, while competitors benefit from arriving before check-in and morning events begin. Reserve a Big Bear Stay in advance, pack sun protection and swimwear for a full beach day, and extend the visit with hiking, boating, or a relaxed village evening. It is a genuinely hands-on lake festival built for families who want to do more than watch, since the water itself stays open the whole time. Mountain mornings can feel cool even in late August, so pack a light layer for the earliest events.
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