For the first time ever, the community of Big Bear Lake hosts a sanctioned Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo competition for two days of action Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6. Big Bear Rodeo & Carnival showcases first-rate professional PRCA cowboys and cowgirls that compete in traditional roughstock and timed events. Featured competitions and events that are on the slate include bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle-bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and team roping.
The action inside the arena is only part of the equation for a fun-filled Labor Day Weekend. There’s also a full-scale carnival adjacent to the rodeo arena that features an assortment of rides, midway games, food vendors, live country music, and family-fun activities. The carnival fun begins Friday September 4 and continues to Sunday, September 6.
“Imagine the kids with cotton candy in hand, the Ferris wheel turning against the mountain sky, and a packed grandstand erupting as a professional bull rider explodes out of the chute with Big Bear Lake as the backdrop,” said Big Bear Rodeo & Carnival Director Joel Cheek. ‘We’re bringing excitement to the mountains like never before! Our goal is to create a new Big Bear family tradition that will have folks itching to come back year after year.”
Big Bear Rodeo & Carnival takes place on a 13-acre parcel. It will have a temporary 5,000-seat grandstand arena with a background surrounded by towering pine trees, majestic mountain vistas and of course beautiful Big Bear Lake. Rodeo fans are treated to a fully-sanctioned PRCA rodeo with professional cowboys and cowgirls competing for cash purses.
“Watch the chutes open. Feel the grandstands come alive. Cheer for the barrel racers racing against the clock and the cowboys holding on for eight seconds,” added Cheek.
The action inside the arena is just the beginning to an entertaining three-day weekend in Big Bear. There is an extensive county-fair-style carnival that includes a giant Ferris wheel, various spinning rides, swings, mini coasters, and a pirate-themed funhouse. The carnival has a variety of midway games such as ring toss, duck pond, water-race games, balloon darts, and bank-a-ball. For folks looking for a spot to just hangout and chill should head over to The Starlight Ranch Experience, which provides free activities for families such as a calf dummy roping challenge, cornhole and petting zoo.
The festival grounds will be filled with the aroma and flavors of barbecue and smoked meats, alongside fresh-squeezed lemonade, mini donuts, funnel cakes, candy apples, churros, cotton candy and other carnival-style favorites. Plus, there are plenty of shopping opportunities from official Big Bear Rodeo merchandise to a variety of vendors on hand selling western wear, cowboy hats, handmade crafts, jewelry, cowboy art, and more.
The weekend features lots of live entertainment, too. Friday evening kicks off with a free concert featuring country-music artist and PRCA competitor Brian Gaylord. On Saturday and Sunday evenings the fun continues right after the rodeo events end. Saturday and Sunday nights will have live country music, dancing and entertainment under the open mountain sky, and admission is free. Sunday morning begins with a free, non-denominational Cowboy Church, welcoming contestants, families, visitors and the Big Bear community before another full day of carnival fun and professional rodeo action.
Big Bear Rodeo & Carnival is Labor Day Weekend – Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, 2026. The weekend festivities take place at 103 Sandalwood Drive in Big Bear Lake. The carnival is open each day from 12 noon to 10 p.m. The rodeo arena’s doors open Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., with rodeo events scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day. For complete details or to purchase tickets to the Big Bear Rodeo & Carnival visit BigBearRodeo.com. For all there is to see and do in beautiful Big Bear Lake, to make lodging reservations or request a Visitors Guide, log on to BigBear.com.
