It's always bear season somewhere! But just like their actual animal counterparts, bears—as in the hirsute gay man type—tend to get more active—or passive—in the summer, through the international events known as “bear weeks”.

Bear weeks offer a welcoming space where bears, otters, chubs, and their admirers can socialize, party, and celebrate one of the biggest gay subcultures there is. Originating in the 1980s in San Francisco, the bear movement emerged as a counterpoint to the more mainstream, often stereotypical image of gay men and their bodies. In the bear community, this stereotype is subverted with bigger and hairier bodies celebrated within inclusive and welcoming spaces. Nowadays, the scene has grown so much that they are perhaps the most visible of all the gay subcultures—anywhere you can find gay bars, you can probably find bear bars too. Bear weeks bring bears and their admirers from all over the world together, like one big metaphorical bear hug.

From the sunny beaches of Puerto Vallarta to the icy landscapes of Reykjavik, bear weeks can offer a diverse array of experiences. So, with prime bear season upon us, we take a look at twelve of the best bear weeks across the globe, while not missing the opportunity to dip into the vast pool of bear puns.

Lazy Bear (US – California)

Deep in the redwoods of Northern California, Guerneville, Lazy Bear Week is a laid-back celebration that lives up to its name. The event offers more than just the bear necessities by blending club and pool parties with live entertainment, outdoor activities, game nights, movie nights, trivia nights, and a range of other fun activities across the week.

Next event: July 29 – August 5, 2024.

Mad Bear (Spain – Torremolinos)

Held in late July/early August every year, Mad Bear in Torremolinos is a beachside celebration of all things hirsute. The majority of the action revolves around Eden Beach Club by day and the gay zone, La Nogalera, by night with parties and club events across the week. They also have a December event along the same lines, making for a beary merry way to end the year.

Next event: August 9-19, 2024.

Bear Sitges (Spain – Sitges)

Sitges is a picturesque coastal town not far from Barcelona, which is extremely popular with the gay community as a whole. The people of Sitges never need an excuse for a good party, but every September the streets hum with the growls of bears from across the world—usually attracting over 8,000 people! During Bear Sitges, a section known as the “Bear-Village” is set aside with its own bars and space for socializing, as well as hosting recreational and cultural activities. Although in truth, the whole town transforms, and down in the gay zone by the sea, there are street and beach parties constantly popping up over the ten-day event.

Next event: August 30 – September 8, 2024.

Bear Summer (Germany – Berlin)

Berlin's Bear Summer is a definite highlight of the European bear calendar. Held in July, this event features barbecues, boat trips, beer garden parties, and club nights, such as the sexily named ‘Unshaved Party.’ Berlin is the kink capital of the world and—as leather and bears go together like German wurst and mustard—the event includes nights like ‘WOOF Berlin’ made for leather lovers and other fetish fiends.

Next event: To be announced.

International Prague Bear Summer (Czech Republic – Prague)

Prague is one of Europe's most impressive-looking cities and International Prague Bear Summer combines the experience of the best the city has to offer, Pride festivities—as it takes place during the week—and the raunchy fun of a bear festival. Attendees can explore the “Mother of All Cities” on an LGBTQ+ city tour run by the event before diving into the festivities, which include club parties, gatherings, naturist swimming/sunbathing at a gorgeous lake on the outskirts of Prague, sauna parties, attending the Pride parade together, and more. Their very own Bear Village created for the event hosts a BBQ and has a whirlpool, play rooms, their own DJs, and more.

Next event: August 6-12, 2024.

RVKBear (Iceland – Reykjavik)

For an experience that breaks through the barrier of what a bear week can be, head to Reykjavik, Iceland. Reykjavik Bear Week combines seeing the natural beauty of Iceland with the coming together of the cozy, friendly bear community from the island. Passes for the event include nature tours, visits to the Golden Circle, and trips to Iceland’s famous geothermal pools with fellow bear attendees. Then of course there is the usual array of parties within the world's northernmost capital. It's sure to be an ice addition to any bear event calendar.

Next event: August 29 – September 1, 2024.

Beef Dip (Mexico – Puerto Vallarta)

Not all bears hibernate in the winter and the perpetually sunny gay paradise that is Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta is a paw-sitively perfect place for the bear community to thaw out their winter blues at Beef Dip every January/February. This week-long event is one of the most popular and longest running bear weeks—boasting pool parties, beach outings, boat parties, foam parties, and wild nightly dance parties. A “BeefDip Dog Tag” gets you entrance to all of the main events and discounts on a hotel.

Next event: January 26 – February 2, 2025.

Woof Week Rio (Brazil – Rio)

The new cub on the block, Rio de Janeiro's Woof Week is a carnival within a carnival. The Latin American bear week is a 10-day bearnanza held in the world's party capital to coincide with Rio’s epic Carnival celebrations. There are pool parties, beach parties, circuit nights sporting international DJs, a tour of Rio, and a bear boat cruise all part of the festivities. Their street party is the true highlight of the event as it mixes bears into Brazilian culture through Samba performances and other Brazilian-themed events.

Next event: January 26 – February 2, 2025.

Bear Essentials (Australia – Sydney)

Heading down under for February/March, Bear Essentials in Sydney, Australia is timed to run alongside Mardi Gras. Bear Essentials offers way more than the basics with social gatherings, parties, outdoor activities plus events unique to Sydney varying from beach days and brunches to a “big and burly” cabaret and a retro arcade night.

Next event: to be announced.

International Bear Convergence (US – Palm Springs)

Palm Springs, California, hosts the International Bear Convergence every February, which is just as epic as it sounds with thousands of bears in attendance for the five-day event. The desert oasis easily reached from San Francisco becomes a hotspot for bears looking to escape the winter, with massive pool parties, dance events, a comedy night, drag brunch, the famous Mr. International Bear contest and more.

Next event: February 20-24, 2025.

Bangkok Songkran Bear Week (Thailand – Bangkok)

Asia has its fair share of bears too, especially in Bangkok. The biggest bear week party in Asia celebrates the Thai New Year with Bangkok Songkran Bear. This April event includes pool parties, club nights, foam parties, the Mister Bear Bangkok competitions, and the traditional Songkran water fights to cool down in the city's sometimes unbearable heat.

Next event: April 12-15, 2025.

Bear Carnival (Spain – Maspalomas)

Spain makes another appearance on our list—what can we say? Spain has a lot of bears! In the heart of the Canary Islands, Maspalomas' Bear Carnival is a fiesta of fur-filled fun. This springtime event has a carnival-inspired theme thrown into the mix with over sixty events over the course of 15 days—so, it’s actually more like a bear month. There’s a colorful parade, beach parties, drag shows, a waterpark party, food events, bowling, a bear-themed boat cruise, and more. What’s more, the bars, clubs, and cruising bars of the world's only gay commercial center, the Yumbo center, come alive and the infamous cruising sand dunes fill with bears on the prowl.

Next event: April 3-13, 2025.

These events are our top picks, but just scratching the surface of the bear weeks available out there. So raise your paws for the cause and get out there to meet other lovers of all things bigger and hirsute. Happy hunting!

Featured image by Madbear