SkyFest Big Bear

The Dark Sky Festival Celebrating and Saving Our Stars

LOOK UP. THE UNIVERSE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

This August, SkyFest Big Bear transforms our mountain community into a three-day celebration of science, discovery and wonder beneath the stars. Meet NASA and Caltech astrophysicists and DarkSky experts as they explore black holes, welcome NASA’s next space telescope, search for life beyond Earth and present the remarkable solar science happening right here in Big Bear. Then journey through space and time inside the immersive AstroDome.

As day turns to night, ride the Sky Chair to Stargaze at the Summit with telescope viewing, guided night hikes and fascinating night-sky talks. Explore astrophotography workshops, live nighttime painting, a mountaintop forest sound bath and a FREE Nighttime DiscoverFest for young explorers and their families.

Come for the stars. Stay for the science. Discover a universe of wonder—Made in Big Bear.

JOIN US

NASA + CALTECH SCIENTISTS • IMMERSIVE ASTRODOME • SKY CHAIR STARGAZING • TELESCOPES + NIGHT HIKES • FREE FAMILY DISCOVERFEST • ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY • FOREST SOUND BATH • LIVE ART UNDER THE STARS

August 14 - 16, 2026

Daily from 12 PM - 11 PM across multiple locations.

Get tickets

This Year at SkyFest

AstroFestival & Expo Speakers

Speakers - August 14

The Science of Black Holes ft. Cameron Hummels; Research Scientist at CalTech

Friday, Aug 14 - 1:00 PM

Once a staple of science fiction, black holes have become one of the most exciting frontiers of modern astronomy.

These extraordinarily dense objects warp spacetime so severely that nothing, not even light, can escape once it crosses the event horizon.

Explore the science behind these cosmic enigmas and discover what black holes can teach us about gravity, the universe, and the limits of modern physics.

Expanding Our View with NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope ft. Dominic Benford; Program Scientist for Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Friday, Aug 14 - 2:00 PM

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is launching on August 30!

Traveling a million miles away and orbiting the Sun, Roman will settle essential questions about dark energy, exoplanets, and astrophysics.

Come learn about this amazing mission, its goals, and how you can share in the excitement!

Speakers - August 15

Dark Skies: Our Relationship and Responsibility to the Stars ft. Michael Rymer; Dark Sky Communities Program Manager, DarkSky International

Saturday, Aug 15 - 1:00 PM

Michael Rymer was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where he seldom saw the night sky in its natural state.

Later in his life, he came to discover a love for astronomy and astrophotography, searching for dark skies and how he can help protect them.

He joined the DarkSky Advocates Network and has continued to learn how he can talk with others about the dangers of light pollution to us and our world.

Is Anybody Out There? - The Search for Life Beyond Earth ft. Brandon Holloman, Astrophysicist; Amid the Stars

Saturday, Aug 15 - 2:00 PM

Brandon is a mountain local who has always loved anything to do with outer space. His passion of learning the secrets of the universe led him to study astrophysics at UCLA and eventually to open Amid the Stars, a guided stargazing experience near Big Bear.

Speakers - August 16

Big Bear Solar Observatory ft. Taylor Baildon, Instrument Scientist

Sunday, Aug 16 - 1:00 PM

Hear about the industry leading solar science produced by local Big Bear Solar Observatory. How did BBSO get here? What specifically are they studying and why?

Capturing the Night in Documentary ft. Matt McCabe, Creative Director at Visit Big Bear

Sunday, Aug 16 - 2:00 PM

As Care for Big Bear works to promote Big Bear’s Dark Sky Initiative, our talented Creative Team is working to document the process of raising awareness of light pollution, developing the right mode of communication, and supporting the local community who rely on the conservation of our night sky.

SkyFest Big Bear FAQs

How do I know which Ticket to buy?

SkyFest is offering a variety of ticket options.

The SkyFest Pass includes AstroFestival and Stargaze at the Summit activities in a 1-DAY or 3-DAY option
Individual tickets are available for 1-day at either AstroFestival or Stargaze at the Summit
Child tickets are available at reduced cost and can be used in tandem with ONE (1) adult ticket.
Individual tickets are available for Additional Experiences including the Forest Sound Bath and Astrophotography Workshop

What's included in my SkyFest Pass?

Your pass includes 1 or 3-DAY admission to the AstroFestival and Stargaze at the Summit activities PLUS the FREE Nighttime DiscoverFest at Big Bear Discovery Center. Your pass DOES NOT include the Forest Sound Bath or the Astrophotography Workshops.

How do I purchase SkyFest Additional Experiences?

Admission to the Forest Sound Bath and the Astrophotography Workshops is available through a separate ticket purchase on TicketSpice.

How do I know where activities are located?

Locations and times for each activity are listed above in the Event Details.

How do Child Tickets work?

A discounted SkyFest Child Ticket is valid for 1-DAY for children 12 years and younger. Child Tickets may be presented at all activities on a single day (excluding the Forest Sound Bath and Astrophotography). All child attendees with a Child Ticket must be accompanied by a full paid adult.

Is the Nighttime DiscoverFest free?

Yes! The family friendly event at Big Bear Discovery Center is FREE for all to attend.

What is SkyFest Big Bear about?

SkyFest Big Bear invites attendees to explore our night sky through stargazing, telescopes, night hikes and more. SkyFest aims to teach attendees about astronomy, the importance of dark skies in a healthy ecosystem and the issues that light pollution can cause. SkyFest Big Bear is part of the Dark Sky Initiative.

SkyFest Promotions

Sparkle Like a Star

Indigo Mountain Wellness Center, 41609 Big Bear Blvd
Offer Valid: Until 8/16/2026 at 7:30 PM

Indigo Mountain Wellness Center is proud to support Big Bear Sky Fest.

To do our part we are offering a Sparkle Like a Star special. Massage and petite facial for only $180.00 or a petite facial on it's own for only $60.00.

Limited time only - Email at mr.pavelsky@gmail.com or dial 909-878-0291 for more details

Spa Day!