Winter is around the corner but we’re already looking forward to the most celebrated summer festival in Bear Lake Utah – the highly anticipated and famous Bear Lake Raspberry Festival.
Bear Lake is known for the vibrant blue waters of the “Caribbean of the Rockies” yet equally as famous for the bountiful annual harvest of the sweetest, tastiest and most delicious raspberries in the world. Our famous raspberry shakes even made the New York Times in 1989!
Come harvest season in late July and August you’re welcomed with roadside raspberry stands and stores selling perfectly ripened fruit, juicy jams, jellies, salsas, berry ice cream, berry pies, and thousands of famous raspberry shakes – available everywhere year-round but especially delightful on a hot summer’s day during harvest season.
You can even pick your own raspberries on a local farm!
The Bear Lake Raspberry Festival is an annual celebration of the famous raspberry harvest season, noted as one of Utah’s most anticipated festivals and one of the most popular weekends in Bear Lake! The 3-day festival is a fun-filled Bear Lake summer tradition attracting 20,000+ visitors to Garden City and the gorgeous Caribbean blue waters of Bear Lake to celebrate all things raspberry.
The full 2023 Bear Lake Raspberry Festival schedule will only be announced next July, but here’s a glimpse of what to expect at Bear Lake’s favorite summer festival.
When: Thursday August 3 to Saturday August 5, 2023
Where: Heritage Park, Bear Lake Utah
Admission: Free Event – Entry fees may apply for contests
Please Note: No dogs allowed. No smoking allowed.
Bear Lake Boulevard, Garden City
The festival traditionally kicks off at 6PM on Thursday evening with the Bear Lake Raspberry Parade featuring marching bands, drill teams, decorated antique cars and fantastic floats cruising along Bear Lake Boulevard. The parade runs from 200N near the Epic Adventure Center south to Heritage Park. It’s fun, festive and well attended. For a prime parade spot put your chairs out early in the day or reserve a table on the outdoor patio at Café Sabor! Be sure to bring a bag to collect candy – there’s loads of it!
For a prime parade spot put your chairs out early in the day or reserve a table on the outdoor patio at Café Sabor! Be sure to bring a bag to collect candy – there’s loads of it!
Heritage Park, Garden City
After the parade, the festivities move to the Main Festival and Fair at Heritage Park with craft booths, food vendors, rides for the kids, and loads of fun for the whole family. The long line up of events include free Zumba classes, bingo, pancake breakfasts, pie-eating contests, a Miss Berry pageant, a golf scramble at the Bear Lake West Golf Course, and continuous live bands on the main stage all weekend! Bring your picnic blankets, chairs, and pop up shade and spend the whole day at the Bear Lake Raspberry Festival.
Laketown Rodeo Arena
Pack your cowboy gear for a night at the rodeo! The gates at Laketown Arena rodeo grounds open at 5PM on Friday and Saturday night for the Raspberry Days Rodeo. Experience the thrill of a classic Old West Rodeo with mutton bustin’, calf and goat chasing for the kids, bronc and bull riding, roping, barrel racing, and good old-fashioned family fun. Tickets sell out early so don’t delay.
Bear Lake Boulevard
The final event of the Raspberry Festival happens right after the Saturday night rodeo. Sponsored by the Bear Lake Yacht Club, the Boat Light Parade runs between the Bear Lake Marina and Ideal Beach with a delightful display of colorful and brightly lit boats on Bear Lake. The boat parade is followed by a grand finale of amazing fireworks over the shores of Bear Lake – best viewed from the festival grounds at Heritage Park – or from the comfort of a luxury cabin rental on the shores of Bear Lake.
There’s no need to wait until 2023 to savor Bear Lake’s world-famous raspberry shakes and local raspberry products – you’ll find tasty berry treats year-round in Garden City, Laketown and along the shores of Bear Lake. In the meantime, here’s a few of our favorite spots to stop for a raspberry shake, slice of home baked berry pie, heavenly chocolate dipped raspberries, hot cinnamon rolls and raspberry sauce, raspberry hot chocolate … and the list goes on! Let’s just say you’ll find our world-famous raspberries everywhere and in nearly everything in Bear Lake!
554 Main Street, St. Charles Idaho
Seasonal Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
240 S Bear Lake Blvd., Garden City
Open Year-Round
88 S Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT
Open Year-Round
20 N Bear Lake Blvd, Laketown, UT
Seasonal Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
35 S Bear Lake Blvd., Garden City, UT
Open Year Round
105 N Bear Lake Blvd., Garden City, UT
Seasonal Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
LaBeau’s Drive In & LaBeau’s Too
69 and 75 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT
Seasonal Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
149 N. Bear Lake Blvd., Garden City
Seasonal Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
220 West 10 South, Garden City, UT
Open Year Round
70 W Logan Rd., Garden City
Seasonal Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
75 N Bear Lake Blvd., Garden City
Seasonal Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
Browse our selection of Bear Lake cabins with high-end kitchens, activities and amenities for every age group, outdoor entertainment areas, and breathtaking views of Bear Lake – or give our team a call on (435) 565-6006.
Our team are locals – we’re here to match you with the perfect cabin rental, answer any questions, and ensure your vacation experience in Bear Lake is extraordinary!
