Bigfoot Festivals 2025: Where Mystery Meets Community Across the U.S.

Bigfoot—elusive, legendary, and larger than life—has long captivated the imaginations of both true believers and curious skeptics. Known by many names—Sasquatch, the Hairy Man, Squatch—this mysterious creature has evolved into a pop culture icon, sparking a nationwide wave of festivals that mix folklore, scientific curiosity, and rural hospitality.

For small towns nestled near forests or remote hillsides, this intrigue isn't just fun—it's an opportunity. By embracing Bigfoot’s mystique, communities breathe life into local lore and turn it into a tourism magnet, inviting thousands to discover hidden gems and hometown warmth. Across the United States, towns are cleverly leveraging the legend to host events that celebrate the myth, attract new visitors, and spotlight everything quirky and wonderful about rural America.

Here’s your guide to the most exciting Bigfoot festivals happening this summer and fall, listed in chronological order. Each one offers a unique flavor of squatchy fun—from expert panels to call contests—and they’re all worth the trek.

🏞️ Sasquatch Summer Fest

📍 Oakridge, Oregon📅 July 11–12, 2025🔗 Sasquatch Summer Fest Official Site

Why Go: Nestled in the lush forests of Oregon, this two-day festival features world-renowned speakers like Dr. Simeon Hein and filmmaker Brett Eichenberger.

Highlights:

• Bigfoot research panels and storytelling sessions

• Night walks and documentary screenings

• Vendor booths with Sasquatch-themed merch

• Live music and food trucks

  
  

🌲 Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference

📍 Gatlinburg, Tennessee📅 July 26, 2025🔗 Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference Info

Why Go: Set in the heart of Bigfoot country, this conference draws top researchers and curious minds alike.

Highlights:

• Expert presentations and panel discussions

• Meet-and-greet opportunities with Bigfoot investigators

• Access to nearby trails for your own squatch hunt

  
  

🌳 Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival

📍 McArthur, Ohio📅 August 7–10, 2025🔗 Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival Website

Why Go: This four-day celebration is packed with family-friendly fun in Ohio’s scenic Appalachian region.

Highlights:

• Bigfoot Town Hall and VIP dinner

• Night hikes through “Squatch Country”

• Jeep show, live music, and a Bigfoot call contest

• Kids’ activities and regional food vendors

  

🐾 WNC Bigfoot Festival

📍 Marion, North Carolina📅 August 23, 2025🔗 WNC Bigfoot Festival Info

Why Go: A one-day extravaganza in the Blue Ridge Mountains that draws thousands.

Highlights:

• Bigfoot-themed parade

• Costume contests and scavenger hunts

• Local crafts and food trucks

  
  

🎶 Natchitoches Louisiana Bigfoot Festival

📍 Natchitoches, Louisiana📅 September 6, 2025🔗 Natchitoches Bigfoot Festival Details

Why Go: A Southern-style celebration with a focus on education and conservation.

Highlights:

• Meet & Greet with researchers

• Wildlife conservation workshops

• Local Cajun cuisine and crafts

  
  

🌲 Bigfoot Daze Festival

📍 Willow Creek, California📅 July 12th, 2025🔗 Bigfoot Daze Festival Info

Why Go: Held in the “Bigfoot Capital of the World,” this festival is steeped in lore.

Highlights:

• Bigfoot parade and call contest

• Presentations by cryptozoologists

  
  

👣 South Carolina Bigfoot Festival

📍 Westminster, South Carolina📅 October 10–11, 2025🔗 South Carolina Bigfoot Festival Info

Why Go: A fall favorite with a festive atmosphere and Southern hospitality.

Highlights:

• Bigfoot hunt simulations

• Costume contests and live music

• Local vendors and food trucks

  
  

🧠 Cryptid Con

📍 Lexington, Kentucky📅 November 22–23, 2025🔗 Cryptid Con Info

Why Go: While not exclusively Bigfoot-themed, this convention is a must for cryptid lovers.

Highlights:

• Panels on Bigfoot, Mothman, and other legends

• Celebrity guests from cryptid documentaries

• Rare collectibles and art

🧭 Ohio Bigfoot Conference

📍 Salt Fork State Park, Cambridge, Ohio📅 May 3, 2025🔗 Ohio Bigfoot Conference Website

Highlights:

• Guest speakers like Ranae Holland and Cliff Barackman from Finding Bigfoot

• Panels with top researchers including Dr. Jeff Meldrum and Seth Breedlove

• Town Hall meeting and family-friendly activities

🏞️ Bigfoot Days

📍 Estes Park, Colorado📅 Dates vary, typically in early summer🔗 Bigfoot Days Info

Highlights:

• Bigfoot BBQ kickoff

• Outdoor festival with live music and expert talks

• Bigfoot calling contest and guided tours

🔮 Georgia Bigfoot Conference

📍 Clayton, Georgia📅 Date TBD, usually in fall🔗 Georgia Bigfoot Conference Details

Highlights:

• Over 50 vendors including holistic and metaphysical booths

• Bigfoot panels and meet-and-greets

• Fortune telling, crystals, and astrology sessions

🎥 Texas Bigfoot Film Festival

📍 Marshall, Texas📅 Date TBD🔗 Texas Bigfoot Film Festival Info

Highlights:

• Screenings of cryptid-themed films

• Meet-and-greet with filmmakers

• Relaxed atmosphere for film buffs and Bigfoot fans alike

🧒 Central PA Bigfoot & Cryptid Festival

📍 Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania📅 August 8–9, 2025🔗 Central PA Festival Website

Highlights:

• Screening of My Bigfoot Life, a documentary about a boy with autism

• Roundtable discussions and special guests

• Live music, food, and family-friendly entertainment

These festivals show just how widespread and beloved the Bigfoot legend is—from the Pacific Northwest to the Deep South. Each one offers a different flavor of cryptid culture, and they’re all fantastic excuses to explore new places and meet fellow believers (or skeptics!).

🌟 Why Bigfoot Festivals Matter

Beyond the fun and folklore, Bigfoot festivals breathe life into small towns. They attract curious travelers, boost local economies, and foster a sense of community around shared mystery. Whether you’re a die-hard believer or just in it for the BBQ and merch, these events offer a chance to explore the unknown—and maybe, just maybe, catch a glimpse of something extraordinary.

So pack your binoculars, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to get squatchy. 🏕️👀