North American Bear Weekend

04/01/2024

Tickets officially go on sale today for NAB Weekend 2025: Bears in the Barnyard. You can also start booking your rooms today at the host hotel. Get yours now at

ABOUT We Are Going to the Farm in 2025! Join over 1,500 bears from all over the world in Lexington, KY for a trip to the farm in 2025! Be sure to pack your bib overalls and flannel and get ready to enjoy some wild weekend fun in the Barnyard. Cheer for your favorite candidates in our signature...

03/31/2024

The Contestant Application for the World Bear Contest is now active at https://worldbearweekend.com/contest/. All 4 titles are now open to all genders to compete. Application deadline is 6/15/24. We hope to see you on-stage this August in Lexington, KY!

CONTEST OVERVIEW World Bear Weekend: the ultimate destination on your contest journey! If you’ve ever wanted to take the next step beyond your current title, keep reading. This unique event…

03/17/2024

The producers of North American Bear Weekend and members of the Kentucky Bourbon Bears are pleased to announce our charitable contribution of $10,000 from our recent NAB Weekend event last month. AVOL Kentucky, Camp Beacon, Caracole, The Sweet Evening Breeze LGBTQ Youth Shelter, and the Lexington Pride Center will each receive $2,000 from our event proceeds.

03/03/2024

Something very exciting is coming in 2025. Stay tuned! 🥳

02/25/2024

Reminder: today is the last day for Early Bird Registrations for NAB Weekend 2025. This will be the lowest weekend pass pricing you'll see all year. PLUS... early birds will get first dibs on host hotel reservations.

Sale ends TONIGHT at 11:59pm. Register now at https://nab2025.eventbrite.com.

NOTE: the hotel booking link will be sent to Early Bird Registrants in mid-March. Registration will re-open around April 1st.

02/18/2024

We will be having a Celebration of Life for Jack Hinkle TODAY at 10am in Ballroom D at Marriott Griffin Gate Resort. Everyone is welcome.

Note: No NAB Weekend event passes are required to attend the memorial service.

Marriott Griffin Gate
1800 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY 40511

02/14/2024

Don't miss out on the largest bear event in the Midwest! You can still purchase Day & Evening Passes to NAB Weekend at our Event Registration Desk all weekend. Come party with over 1,200 attendees this weekend in Lexington, KY!

02/11/2024

Today is the LAST DAY to purchase full weekend passes to NAB Weekend. Day & Evening passes WILL be available for purchase on-site, but will not include meals. If y'all want meals included... buy those passes before 11:59pm tonight at nabweekend.com.

01/23/2024

We will be preparing a slide show of photos & video clips to share at Jack's Celebration of Life on Sunday, February 18th. Anyone wishing to share photos/videos for the presentation can upload up to (5) below. Also, if you would like to share a funny memory about Jack on-stage, please indicate your interest below so we can add you to the list of speakers. All submissions must be received by February 5th.

Please click the link to complete this form.

01/20/2024

The board members of the Kentucky Bourbon Bears have been made aware of numerous violations to our North American Bear Weekend Code of Conduct by a prospective contestant AND staff member. Due to the timing the information was brought to our attention, and after reviewing all information presented thus far, we have voted to disqualify both persons from participating in this year's program. After the completion of this year's event, both parties may present additional information to further justify their case to participate in our 2025 event. The board will make a final decision of their eligibility after all information has been reviewed from all parties involved.

01/16/2024

The Kentucky Bourbon Bears are excited to announce Class #12 of contestants for our upcoming North American Bear Contest next month in Lexington, KY. Get your tickets now at NABWEEKEND.COM and come cheer for your favorite!

01/16/2024

The Kentucky Bourbon Bears are excited to announce our class of contestants for our upcoming North American Bear contest next month in Lexington, KY. Be sure to grab tickets at NABWEEKEND.COM and come cheer for your favorite!

01/14/2024

NAB Pet Mosh - Nashville Edition

01/08/2024

Be sure to get registered for NAB Weekend by 1/15/24 to get one of the event t-shirts. Included in both All-Weekend Pass options; not included with Day Pass purchases. Register now at nabweekend.com.

12/31/2023

LAST DAY TO SAVE! Today is the last day that NAB Weekend's event passes will be on sale for $154. Tomorrow, the price increases to $199. Get yours before midnight tonight at nabweekend.com.

12/30/2023

"NAB is going to be so fetch!" 💁‍♀️

Come mingle with "Gretchen Wieners" and 1200+ other attendees at the largest bear event in the midwest this February in Lexington, KY. Passes are currently $25 off now thru 12/31/23 at nabweekend.com. Get yours now before prices increase to $199 on January 1st.

12/28/2023

"Oh my God, I love your NAB Weekend pass! Where did you get it?" 💁‍♀️

Come mingle with "Regina George" and 1200 other attendees at the largest bear event in the midwest this February in Lexington, KY. Passes are currently $25 off now thru 12/31/23 at nabweekend.com. Get yours now before prices increase to $199 on January 1st.

12/27/2023

Join me, "Cady Heron", and over 1200 attendees for the largest bear event in the Midwest -- this February in Lexington, KY! Use promo code FETCH24 at nabweekend.com to save $25 on your All-Weekend pass now thru 12/31/23. Prices increase to $199 on January 1st.

12/23/2023

Join over 1200 attendees for the largest bear event in the Midwest -- this February in Lexington, KY! Use promo code FETCH24 at nabweekend.com to save $25 on your All-Weekend pass now thru 12/31/23. Prices increase to $199 on January 1st.

12/20/2023

To those who have expressed interest in facilitating workshops, instructional classes, volunteer gogo dancing, specialized gaming sessions, group cocktail party/functions, etc at NAB Weekend in February... please fill out the brief application below. This will help me funnel all requests into one place as I prepare the schedule of events on Yapp and detail the Banquet Event Orders with Marriott. Deadline to submit this form is 1/14/24.

Please click the link to complete this form.

12/15/2023

REMINDER: Anyone interested in competing in the North American Bear Contest in Lexington, KY this February has exactly ONE MONTH to get applications submitted. Read all of the details, eligibility, and prize info at http://nabweekend.com/contest/. Applications are due no later than 01/15/2024.

12/02/2023

Be more like "Cady Heron" and get your pass for NAB Weekend 2024. Save 15% using promo code "CADY" or click this link: www.eventbrite.com/e/546816872987/?discount=CADY. More event details at nabweekend.com.

11/23/2023

🚨 NAB Weekend Black Friday Sale. One Day Only - save $40 on our All-Weekend Standard or VIP All-Weekend passes. Get yours til 11:59pm on Friday, 11/24 at nabweekend.com.

10/12/2023

NAB Weekend is just 4 months away, y’all! Ticket prices increase by $20 on November 1st. Get yours now at nabweekend.com.

10/03/2023

Happy Mean Girls Day! Save 10% (TODAY ONLY) off any weekend pass to NAB Weekend: Mean Bears - taking place February 15th-18th in Lexington, KY. Register now at www.nabweekend.com.