SkyFest Big Bear 2026 recap: stargazing, black hole talks, and Milky Way photography atop Snow Summit

Big Bear Lake's annual SkyFest wrapped up August 16, capping a three-day celebration of dark skies, astronomy, and outdoor adventure spread across multiple locations in the valley.[1] The festival, which ran August 14–16, brought together astronomers, astrophotographers, night hikers, and families for events at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center, Snow Summit, and the Big Bear Discovery Center.[1]

AstroFestival & Expo

During daylight hours, the Big Bear Lake Convention Center hosted the AstroFestival & Expo, featuring speakers representing NASA, Caltech, and DarkSky International.[1] One of the weekend's standout presentations came from astrophysicist Cameron Hummels, who led a talk on black holes.[1] The expo's centerpiece was the AstroDome, an immersive planetarium-style dome that transported visitors through narrated imagery of outer space.[1]

Stargaze at the Summit

After dark, the action shifted to the top of Snow Summit, where the Big Bear Valley Astronomical Society set up telescopes for public viewing, Big Bear Hiking Adventures led guided night hikes, and experts from Amid the Stars gave talks on the night sky.[1] Attendees also had the chance to catch the final meteors of the Perseid meteor shower during the summit's nighttime events.[1]

Astrophotography workshops led by Brady Enger of Bending Energy Photography gave participants — split into beginner and intermediate/advanced sessions — the chance to spend hours capturing the Milky Way from the summit.[1]

Something for everyone

SkyFest's programming extended well beyond telescopes and cameras. Families could join DiscoverFest at the Big Bear Discovery Center, which introduces younger visitors to nocturnal creatures through guided walks along the Nature Trail.[1] Those looking for a quieter experience could reserve a Forest Sound Bath offered by Mystic Rose Studio.[1]

The festival is also tied to a broader community effort: SkyFest is part of Visit Big Bear's Care for Big Bear Dark Sky Initiative, an ongoing campaign to reduce light pollution and preserve the mountain's exceptional night skies.[1]

Editor's note: This recap draws on a sponsored travel blog post produced in partnership with Visit Big Bear. Big Bear News has not yet obtained independent comment from Visit Big Bear, SkyFest organizers, or unaffiliated attendees. Readers should treat specific details as preliminary; we will update this story as additional sources are confirmed.

Residents and visitors interested in future dates, tickets, and programming can check with Visit Big Bear at bigbear.com, where schedules are typically posted in advance of the festival.