Plein Air Art Competition 2026: Dates, Schedule, Travel Tips, and Where to Stay

Quick Answer

The Big Bear Plein Air Art Competition 2026 is Visit Big Bear’s third annual plein air competition and a month-long celebration of outdoor painting across the Big Bear Valley. Artists can create their competition work between September 12 and October 10, 2026, with gallery events beginning in September and the main Competition Gallery and awards scheduled for October.

Registered artists first complete online registration, then visit the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center at 40824 Big Bear Boulevard to have their painting substrates stamped. The Visitor Center is currently listed as open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Artists may have multiple substrates stamped, but the competition information says there is one submission per artist for galleries.

The main submitted works will be displayed at the Destination Big Bear Event Room, 713 Stocker Rd., Big Bear Lake. Visit Big Bear lists the principal competition awards as $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $500 for third place. The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 18 at 10:00 AM.

This event is particularly well suited to an overnight or multi-night Big Bear trip because artists are intentionally given time to explore the valley, choose landscapes, return to locations, and continue developing their work. A Chalet offers cabins in Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City that can serve as a base between painting sessions, gallery visits, and other fall activities.

Browse A Chalet cabins for your Big Bear art trip.

Plein Air Art Competition 2026 at a Glance

Visit Big Bear confirms the September 12-October 10 creation period and lists every day in that period as part of the recurring competition calendar.

What Is the Big Bear Plein Air Art Competition?

The Plein Air Art Competition invites artists to create landscapes outdoors in the Big Bear Valley, working directly from the scenery rather than solely from photographs or studio references.

What distinguishes the Big Bear format is its extended creation period. Artists do not have to arrive on one morning and complete their work under a short time limit. Visit Big Bear gives participants from September 12 through October 10 to explore, select a location, paint, and potentially return to Big Bear to continue their work.

That format encourages artists to experience the valley during early fall, when the character of the landscape can change with light, weather, and seasonal conditions. Participants choose their own Big Bear landscape subject rather than being assigned one specific painting location for the main competition.

For 2026, Visit Big Bear has expanded the program with a Festival of Artist Events. Registration in the main competition includes access to the highlighted festival activities, and artists may choose to participate in one or several. The competition is limited to a maximum of 75 artist participants.

When Is the Plein Air Art Competition 2026?

The competition is not a single-day event. Instead, it unfolds across several phases.

September 12-October 10: Create

Artists may visit Big Bear at any point during this period to create their competition work. Before arriving, participants are instructed to complete online registration.

After reaching Big Bear, artists must stop at the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center, 40824 Big Bear Boulevard, to have their painting substrates stamped. Visit Big Bear says artists can have as many substrates stamped as they wish. Completed competition artwork is then returned to the Visitor Center for storage before the gallery opens.

October 14-18: Competition Gallery

Visit Big Bear’s dedicated competition page identifies the main gallery and awards period as October 14-18. The event calendar separately shows the Big Bear Plein Air Art Competition Gallery running during this same mid-October period at 713 Stocker Rd., Big Bear Lake.

The public is invited to view the competition artwork, and Visit Big Bear states that artwork at the galleries will be available for purchase.

October 18: Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, October 18 at 10:00 AM at the Destination Big Bear Event Room, 713 Stocker Rd.

What Special Artist Events Are Part of the 2026 Festival?

The expanded 2026 Festival of Artist Events adds several opportunities beyond the main competition.

Artist’s Best Work en Plein Air Gallery — September 18-19

This gallery gives participating artists another chance to exhibit and sell plein air work. Visit Big Bear lists a $500 Best of Show award for this portion of the festival.

The Village Paint-Out — September 19

A dedicated Paint-Out is scheduled in The Village Big Bear Lake on September 19. This provides a more concentrated event within the broader month-long competition period.

Moonridge Corridor Paint-Out — October 3

Another Paint-Out takes place in the Moonridge Corridor on October 3, followed by a gallery on October 4. Visit Big Bear lists a separate $500 Best of Show award for this event.

Main Competition Gallery and Awards — October 14-18

The main competition concludes with the complete collection of submitted works and the awards ceremony. The principal prizes currently published are:

• First Place: $2,000
• Second Place: $1,500
• Third Place: $500

Visit Big Bear lists John Budicin, Diane Moore, and Lisa Mozzini-McDill as distinguished judges associated with the 2026 competition.

How Do Artists Register and Submit Their Work?

Artists should begin at the official Big Bear Lake Visitor Center.

The currently published process is:

• Complete registration online before arriving.
• Visit the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center during operating hours.
• Have the painting substrates you may use stamped.
• Explore Big Bear and create the work during the September 12-October 10 competition period.
• Return the completed competition painting to the Visitor Center.
• Submitted artwork is stored until the Competition Gallery opens.

Visit Big Bear states that the 2026 competition has a maximum of 75 participating artists and allows one submission per artist for the galleries.

The public page reviewed for this guide does not display a clearly stated universal competition registration price in its main event information. Artists should check the live registration form for the current fee and full participation terms rather than relying on a prior year’s price.

Where Are the Visitor Center and Competition Gallery?

Big Bear Lake Visitor Center

40824 Big Bear Boulevard
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

The Visitor Center is currently listed as open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is the location where artists get substrates stamped and return completed competition paintings.

Destination Big Bear Event Room

713 Stocker Rd.
Big Bear Lake, CA

This is the published location for the Competition Gallery, the October 18 awards ceremony, and the public pop-up galleries associated with the festival.

No single parking plan covering every competition location is published. Artists and gallery visitors should follow event instructions and posted parking regulations at the Visitor Center, The Village, Moonridge, and the Destination Big Bear Event Room.

Can Non-Artists Attend the Plein Air Events?

Yes. The competition is not only for participating painters.

Visit Big Bear specifically invites art enthusiasts, collectors, and members of the community to attend the pop-up galleries and view the complete collection of 2026 competition artwork. Artwork will also be available for purchase.

That makes the October gallery period a good option for visitors who enjoy art but do not plan to enter the competition themselves.

A public admission charge for the galleries is not stated on the current competition page. Visitors should check the individual gallery listing closer to their chosen date if admission, opening hours, or purchasing procedures are important to their plans.

What Should Artists Bring?

Visit Big Bear does not publish one universal equipment list because plein air painters work with different media and setups. Participants should therefore prepare according to their own painting method and the outdoor mountain environment.

A practical artist packing list may include:

• Your preferred paints, brushes, and painting tools
• Multiple eligible substrates to have stamped at the Visitor Center
• Portable easel or pochade setup
• Water or appropriate painting medium
• Sun protection
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Water and snacks
• Protective equipment for transporting wet artwork
• Any personal medications or necessities

Because artists choose their own locations around Big Bear, conditions can vary significantly between lakefront areas, forested locations, The Village, and higher-elevation viewpoints. Check the forecast and current access conditions before setting up outdoors.

How to Make a Weekend of the Plein Air Art Competition

Day 1: Arrive, Register, and Scout Locations

Complete online registration before leaving home. After arriving in Big Bear, check into your cabin and visit the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to get your substrates stamped.

Instead of immediately committing to the first landscape you see, use part of the afternoon to explore Big Bear Valley and observe how light falls across different areas.

Day 2: Paint en Plein Air

Start early enough to work during the light conditions you want to capture. Because the competition gives artists nearly a month to create, there is no need to treat the trip like a speed-painting contest unless you’re participating in a specific Paint-Out.

Returning to a cabin between sessions can be useful for organizing supplies, resting, eating, and preparing for another painting period.

Check A Chalet cabins for your Plein Air Competition dates.

Return for the Gallery or Awards

Artists do not have to treat the September-October creation period and October gallery as a single continuous stay. Visit Big Bear explicitly allows artists to visit once or return to Big Bear to continue their work.

You might therefore plan one trip for painting and another for the Competition Gallery and October 18 awards ceremony.

Where to Stay for the Plein Air Art Competition

Because the competition spans the Big Bear Valley and important event locations are in Big Bear Lake, staying in Big Bear Lake or nearby Big Bear City makes practical sense.

A Chalet currently offers cabins in both destinations, with properties ranging from smaller two-bedroom stays to larger three- and four-bedroom rentals. Current examples shown in A Chalet’s collection include Heavenly Bay Retreat and Jaybird Cabin with two bedrooms, Conklin Canopy with three bedrooms, and Boulder Landing and Rustic Ridge with four bedrooms.

For an artist traveling alone or with a partner, a smaller cabin can provide a straightforward base between painting sessions. Friends participating together may prefer additional bedrooms and common space for organizing the trip.

If you need particular features for an art-focused stay—such as parking capacity, a kitchen, laundry facilities, pet permission, or additional indoor space—verify them on the current individual property listing before booking. Amenities differ by cabin and should not be assumed.

A multi-night stay may be especially useful for this competition because participants are encouraged to explore the landscape rather than paint against a single-day deadline.

Browse current A Chalet Big Bear cabin availability.

Tips for Booking an Art Competition Weekend Cabin

Choose your competition phase first. A September painting trip, October 3 Moonridge Paint-Out weekend, and October 14-18 gallery trip have different schedules.

Complete artist registration before traveling. Visit Big Bear specifically instructs participants to register online before arriving.

Allow time for the Visitor Center. Substrates need to be stamped, and current Visitor Center hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Consider more than one night. One of the main advantages of this competition is the ability to explore different Big Bear landscapes and work without a short painting deadline.

Match the cabin to your group. Solo artists and couples may prefer smaller accommodations, while several artists traveling together can compare multi-bedroom rentals.

Verify amenities directly. Parking, kitchens, pet policies, and other property features vary across A Chalet’s inventory.

Recheck event details before your trip. Gallery hours, registration availability, and individual festival-event instructions can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Is the Big Bear Plein Air Art Competition 2026?

Artists can create competition work from September 12 through October 10, 2026. The main gallery period follows in mid-October, with the awards ceremony scheduled for October 18 at 10:00 AM.

Where Is the Plein Air Art Competition?

Painting can take place across the Big Bear Valley. Substrate stamping and artwork drop-off are handled through the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center at 40824 Big Bear Boulevard, while the main Competition Gallery is held at 713 Stocker Rd., Big Bear Lake.

Do Artists Need to Register?

Yes. Visit Big Bear directs artists to complete online registration before arriving. The 2026 competition is limited to a maximum of 75 artist participants.

What Are the 2026 Plein Air Competition Prizes?

The main competition awards are currently listed as $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $500 for third place. Separate $500 Best of Show prizes are also listed for certain festival galleries.

Can the Public Visit the Galleries?

Yes. Visit Big Bear invites the public, art enthusiasts, and collectors to attend the galleries. Artwork is expected to be available for purchase.

When Is the Awards Ceremony?

The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Destination Big Bear Event Room, 713 Stocker Rd.

Where Should I Stay for the Plein Air Art Competition?

Big Bear Lake or nearby Big Bear City is practical because the competition is centered throughout the Big Bear Valley and key administrative and gallery locations are in Big Bear Lake. A Chalet offers cabins of several sizes in the Big Bear area.

Plan Your Plein Air Art Competition 2026 Getaway With A Chalet

The Big Bear Plein Air Art Competition 2026 gives painters something many competitions do not: time. From September 12 through October 10, registered artists can explore Big Bear, choose their landscape, paint, return to refine their work, and participate in an expanded schedule of festival events.

The 2026 festival includes the Artist’s Best Work gallery on September 18-19, The Village Paint-Out on September 19, the Moonridge Paint-Out on October 3, the Moonridge gallery on October 4, and the main Competition Gallery and awards activities in mid-October. The awards ceremony is set for October 18 at 10:00 AM.

Artists should register online before arriving, visit the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center to have substrates stamped, and verify the latest competition instructions before beginning their work.

For a trip built around several painting sessions—or a separate return visit for the gallery and awards—an overnight cabin gives you a comfortable base in the Big Bear Valley instead of forcing the creative process into a single day.

Browse A Chalet cabins and plan your Big Bear stay around the Plein Air Art Competition 2026.