Mountain Story Time 2026: Dates, Schedule, Travel Tips, and Where to Stay

Quick Answer

Mountain Story Time 2026 is a recurring family program at the Big Bear Discovery Center in Fawnskin featuring stories and hot chocolate in a nature-focused setting. The published schedule runs through December 20, 2026, with Story Time held Fridays at 12:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. The program is described as family-friendly and suitable for all ages.

The Big Bear Discovery Center is located at 40971 North Shore Drive/Hwy 38, Fawnskin, CA 92333. While visiting, families can also learn about the surrounding San Bernardino National Forest and explore the Discovery Center’s nature-oriented offerings. The Center’s normal business hours are currently listed as Thursday through Monday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Mountain Story Time works especially well as part of a family weekend rather than as the only reason for a mountain trip. Staying in the Big Bear area gives families time to combine the program with outdoor recreation and a relaxed cabin stay. A Chalet currently offers rentals in both Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City, including options for smaller families and larger groups.

Browse A Chalet cabins for your Big Bear family trip.

Mountain Story Time 2026 at a Glance

One detail in the source data can be confusing: the event page’s structured header displays a generic 1:30 PM-2:30 PM time, while the actual event description specifically says Fridays at noon and Sundays at 2:00 PM. The current upcoming-date list also confirms the Friday/Sunday recurrence. For trip planning, visitors should follow the day-specific schedule and verify their chosen session before leaving.

What Is Mountain Story Time?

Mountain Story Time is a recurring family activity hosted at the Big Bear Discovery Center on the north side of Big Bear Lake. Rather than being a large festival or ticketed performance, it offers families a simpler activity centered on stories and hot chocolate.

The current event description calls the program family-friendly and suitable for all ages. That makes it useful for families seeking an indoor or lower-key activity to balance hiking, lake recreation, snow play, or other more active parts of a Big Bear trip.

The setting is part of the appeal. The Big Bear Discovery Center opened in 1998 and provides visitor information, educational programs, eco-tours, special events, and opportunities to learn more about responsible recreation in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Visit Big Bear reports that the Discovery Center welcomes more than 190,000 visitors annually and describes its goal as helping visitors become more knowledgeable and responsible caretakers of the surrounding national forest.

When Is Mountain Story Time in 2026?

The published Mountain Story Time schedule continues through Sunday, December 20, 2026.

The recurring weekly schedule is:

• Fridays: 12:00 PM
• Sundays: 2:00 PM

As of September 10, the next sessions listed by Visit Big Bear begin on Friday, September 11 and Sunday, September 13, followed by Friday and Sunday dates through December 20.

Upcoming dates currently include September 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, and 27; October 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, and 30; November 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, and 29; and December 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, and 20.

Because this is a recurring program extending into winter, families should still check the official listing before traveling. Mountain weather, holidays, operating changes, or other circumstances can affect individual dates.

Where Is Mountain Story Time?

Mountain Story Time takes place at:

Big Bear Discovery Center
40971 North Shore Drive/Hwy 38
Fawnskin, CA 92333

The Discovery Center is on the north side of Big Bear Lake in Fawnskin. Its current normal business hours are listed as Thursday through Monday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, which includes both the Friday and Sunday Story Time days.

For current venue information, visitors can call 909-382-2790. The Discovery Center directory also publishes info@mountainsfoundation.org as a contact email.

What Can Families Expect at Mountain Story Time?

The format is intentionally straightforward. Families gather at the Discovery Center for stories and hot chocolate in a program designed for all ages.

Unlike a major festival, the event listing does not advertise performers, competitions, vendors, or a complicated activity schedule. Families should plan for a relaxed story-time experience rather than expecting an all-day event.

The event description also encourages visitors to make more of their Discovery Center stop by enjoying a nature hike and exploring the Center’s nature-themed gift shop.

That combination can work well for families with younger children: Story Time provides a scheduled anchor for the day, while the rest of the visit can remain flexible depending on weather, energy levels, and current trail conditions.

Does Mountain Story Time Require Tickets?

The current Mountain Story Time listing does not publish an admission price or state that advance tickets are required. Visitors should therefore avoid relying on third-party pricing or assuming that another Discovery Center program’s admission rules apply to Story Time.

If participation requirements are important to your plans, call the Big Bear Discovery Center at 909-382-2790 before your visit, particularly for holiday-weekend or winter sessions.

The official event listing can also be checked at Visit Big Bear’s Mountain Story Time page.

Parking and Arrival Tips

The event takes place at the Big Bear Discovery Center, and the listing does not announce a separate off-site event parking or shuttle program. Visitors should use the appropriate parking serving the Center and follow all posted directions when they arrive.

There is no official requirement in the current listing to arrive a specific number of minutes early. Still, arriving roughly 10 to 15 minutes before Story Time is a reasonable planning buffer, especially for families who need time to park, get children settled, or visit the restroom before the program begins.

Remember that the schedule changes according to the day: Friday sessions are at noon, while Sunday sessions are at 2:00 PM.

What Should You Bring to Mountain Story Time?

Mountain Story Time does not have a published event-specific packing list. Families therefore do not need specialized equipment simply to attend the storytelling program.

For a broader Discovery Center visit, consider bringing:

• Weather-appropriate layers
• Comfortable shoes if you plan to walk outdoors
• Water for your family
• Any necessary medications or child-care essentials
• Sun protection for daytime outdoor activities

If you intend to add a nature walk, check current weather and trail conditions first. A December Story Time visit can require very different preparation from a September visit.

Is Mountain Story Time Good for Kids?

Yes. The official event description specifically calls Mountain Story Time family-friendly and says it is suitable for all ages.

No minimum age is published. That makes the program potentially useful for families traveling with children of different ages or grandparents joining a multigenerational Big Bear trip.

Parents should still consider their own child’s ability to sit through a storytelling activity. “All ages” describes the program’s intended audience; it does not mean every child will have the same attention span or interest.

What Else Can You Do at the Big Bear Discovery Center?

The Discovery Center is more than a Story Time venue. It serves as an educational and visitor hub connected to the San Bernardino National Forest and hosts weekly programs, eco-tours, outdoor concerts, theater productions, and nighttime interpretive programming at different times of year.

For Mountain Story Time specifically, the event listing suggests adding a nature hike and a stop in the nature-themed gift shop.

Families should check what is operating on their actual travel date rather than assuming every Discovery Center program runs alongside Story Time.

How to Make a Weekend of Mountain Story Time

Friday Option: Arrive for Noon Story Time

If your family can reach Big Bear before Friday’s noon session, Mountain Story Time can serve as the first scheduled activity of your trip. Visit the Discovery Center, enjoy the program, and keep the afternoon open for an easy outdoor activity if conditions are appropriate.

Afterward, check into your cabin and have a relaxed evening rather than packing several major attractions into arrival day.

Saturday: Enjoy a Full Day in Big Bear

Use Saturday for the larger activity your family wants to build the trip around. Depending on the season and current conditions, Big Bear offers lake recreation, hiking, mountain activities, shopping, and other family attractions.

Returning to a cabin afterward gives families space to eat together and recharge before another day out.

Check A Chalet cabin availability for your Mountain Story Time weekend.

Sunday Option: Story Time Before Heading Home

Families arriving later on Friday can instead make the Sunday 2:00 PM session part of their final day.

Keep checkout requirements and your drive home in mind when using the Sunday program as a departure-day activity. If your schedule allows another night, staying through Sunday can remove the need to immediately begin a longer drive after the Discovery Center visit.

Where to Stay for Mountain Story Time

Mountain Story Time is held in Fawnskin on the north side of Big Bear Lake. For most visitors, Big Bear Lake or Big Bear City provides a more geographically relevant lodging base than Lake Arrowhead for this particular event.

A Chalet currently offers vacation rentals in Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City, with options ranging from one-bedroom accommodations to larger four-bedroom properties.

Current examples include Bear Den with one bedroom; Heavenly Bay Retreat, Jaybird Cabin, Maverick’s Cabin, and Golden Hour with two bedrooms; Conklin Canopy with three bedrooms; and Boulder Landing, Rustic Ridge, and Elevated Escape with four bedrooms.

For families, choose based on the current occupancy limits and features of the individual listing rather than bedroom count alone. For example, A Chalet’s current Conklin Canopy listing identifies it as a three-bedroom, two-bathroom Big Bear Lake property sleeping up to eight, with a game room, kitchen, washer and dryer, and parking for up to three vehicles.

Property details and availability can change, so verify the live listing before booking rather than assuming the same amenities are included at every A Chalet cabin.

Browse current A Chalet Big Bear cabins.

Tips for Booking a Mountain Story Time Weekend Cabin

Choose Friday or Sunday first. Friday Story Time begins at noon, while Sunday’s session starts at 2:00 PM.

Check the event listing before traveling. The program is recurring through December, so weather, holidays, or operating changes may affect individual sessions.

Stay in the Big Bear area. Big Bear Lake or Big Bear City is a practical base for a Fawnskin event.

Match the cabin to your family. Check occupancy, bedroom configuration, parking rules, and current amenities before reserving.

Consider two nights. Story Time itself is a relatively simple family activity, so it makes more sense when combined with other Big Bear experiences rather than a rushed same-day trip.

Plan differently by season. September and December can bring very different mountain conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Is Mountain Story Time in 2026?

Mountain Story Time runs on Fridays and Sundays through December 20, 2026. Friday sessions are listed at 12:00 PM and Sunday sessions at 2:00 PM.

Where Is Mountain Story Time?

The program is held at the Big Bear Discovery Center, 40971 North Shore Drive/Hwy 38, Fawnskin, CA 92333.

Is Mountain Story Time Good for Children?

Yes. The event is specifically described as family-friendly and suitable for all ages. No minimum age is currently published.

Do You Need Tickets for Mountain Story Time?

The current official event page does not publish an admission price or state that advance tickets are required. For the latest participation details, check the event page or call the Discovery Center at 909-382-2790.

What Happens During Mountain Story Time?

The program features stories and hot chocolate. The event listing also encourages families to enjoy a nature hike and explore the Discovery Center’s nature-themed gift shop while visiting.

What Time Should We Arrive?

No official early-arrival requirement is published. Arriving around 10-15 minutes before the session is a practical buffer for parking and getting children settled. Remember that Friday sessions begin at noon and Sunday sessions at 2:00 PM.

Where Should Families Stay for Mountain Story Time?

Big Bear Lake or Big Bear City provides a practical base for visiting the Discovery Center in Fawnskin. A Chalet currently offers one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom options across its Big Bear collection, depending on current availability.

Check A Chalet availability for your family trip.

Plan Your Mountain Story Time 2026 Getaway With A Chalet

Mountain Story Time 2026 is an easy addition to a family trip to Big Bear: stories, hot chocolate, and a visit to the Big Bear Discovery Center in Fawnskin. The current schedule runs through December 20, with Friday sessions at noon and Sunday sessions at 2:00 PM.

Families can pair Story Time with a visit to the Discovery Center, an appropriate nature walk, and other seasonal Big Bear activities. Because the program continues from late summer into December, check the latest event information and mountain conditions before each visit.

Turning the outing into an overnight stay also gives families more flexibility. Instead of driving to the mountains solely for Story Time, you can check into a Big Bear cabin, enjoy a full weekend together, and use the Discovery Center program as one relaxed part of the itinerary.

Browse A Chalet cabins and plan your Big Bear family stay around Mountain Story Time 2026.