Big Bear Chili Cook-Off - Visit Big Bear | What’s happening in Inland Empire

Big Bear Chili Cook-Off - Visit Big Bear

This Memorial Day Weekend bring the family out to enjoy an 'oh so American' BBQ festival, the Big Bear Lake Grill & Chill! Grill masters from across the country will flock to our little mountain town to hash it out over the barbeque. This smokin' event lets attendees sample some of the best BBQ around complete with sides. Local event hosts Bones & Brews are bringing back their Beer Tasting Festival to complement the cook-off. Sip on ice cold samplers while you dig into mouth-watering grub. This event is kid friendly, with rock walls, bounce houses, face painters and more!

Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.

BBQ Festival & Competition

Sponsored by Vacasa Real Estate, the Big Bear Lake Grill & Chill is a KCBS sanctioned BBQ competition and State Championship event. All KCBS rules are in effect and will include Brisket, Pork Butt, Pork Ribs and Chicken categories. The competition is held Saturday only but attendees can enjoy the mouthwatering BBQ Festival on both Saturday and Sunday!

Grill masters will be serving up sample portions of BBQ and sides and attendees can participate in the People’s Choice competition to vote for their favorite griller! The People’s Choice competition is held on both Saturday and Sunday and will be surrounded by live music, a vendor village, and more.

Beer Festival

A BBQ just isn't a BBQ without a beer in hand. The Big Bear Lake Grill & Chill includes a two-day beer tasting festival in tandem with the BBQ festival. Over 30 breweries are lined up to give attendees a sample pour of their craft beers, special brews, and brand favorites. So, raise a sampler and sip to Memorial Day Weekend and all the servicemen and women who defend us everyday. Breweries include:

  • Big Bear Lake Brewing Company
  • 5174 Brewing Company
  • Alosta Brewing Company
  • Belching Beaver Brewery
  • Bottle Logic Brewing Company

Live Music

Grill & Chill is happy to announce the 2022 stage sponsor, Big Bear Cool Cabins. This talent stage has been the site of much groovin' and movin' with genres like jazz, rock, country, tribute bands, and more! This year's musical talents include:

  • Morgan Leigh Band - One of Southern California’s high energy country bands! Morgan Leigh was a contestant on American Idol S12 and S14, was the Texaco Country Showdown State Winner, was nominated for Best Country/Americana by San Diego Music Awards, and much more.
  • Stun Grenade
  • Twisted Gypsy: Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band - Sing along to some of Fleetwood Mac's most famous song with Twisted Gypsy the ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band.
Big Bear Visitor Center - Visit Big Bear, 40824 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, United States

*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.

Organization:

Visit Big Bear

Location:

40824 Big Bear Blvd.
Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315
United States

Phone:

(800) 424-4232
Contact name: 
Marketing & Public Relations Inquiries
Email address: 
Dates: 
05/23/2026
05/24/2026
Time: 
10AM - 5 PM
Price: 
$20 – $80

Ages

All Ages Adults & kids together Adults without kids