Santa’s Wonderland – the ultimate free family Christmas event – is returning to Bass Shops and Cabela’s across North America this holiday season. More than one million kids and families are expected to take a photo with Santa and receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo as part of the event.
The magic begins with Santa’s arrival November 16 as Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s transforms its retail locations into festive Christmas villages. In addition to free photos with Santa, the event offers free family activities with crafts, games and holiday magic for the entire family through Christmas Eve. Set amongst rustic Christmas cabins, holiday characters and live elves, the Christmas village offers families various free crafts and activities such as a Lincoln Logs building area, laser and foam toy arcade, gaming station, remote control trucks and free crafts and wish list letter writing stations. Activities vary by location.
More than a decade of wonder
Bass Pro Shops first introduced Santa’s Wonderland in 2008, welcoming kids and families inside its locations for an unprecedented, immersive holiday experience. Since its inception 11 years ago, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s has delivered more than 1.1 million letters from Santa to children across the U.S. and Canada.
Schedule Santa time with a free Bass Pass
The highlight of Santa’s Wonderland is the free 4×6 studio-quality photo and a visit with the big guy himself. Upon arriving at the store, guests can visit the Bass Pass Ticket Depot to secure a Bass Pass. Free Bass Pass reservations are available in-store on a first-come, first-served basis. This year, nearly half of the Bass Pro and Cabela’s store locations offer a digital Bass Pass where guests can register online to see Santa and receive updates and reminders by text message (check local store for participation). The free Bass Pass is required and provides a time slot to see Santa, allowing customers to explore Santa’s Wonderland or shop the store while waiting in a virtual line.
Weeknights offer the best times to see Santa and explore Santa’s Wonderland, with free plush giveaways for the first 100 kids Monday through Thursday from 5-7 p.m. local time starting November 18. Free craft activities will be offered to customers each night during Santa’s Wonderland.
Collecting toys for those in need
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s locations are designated toy drop-off stations for children in need. All donated toys will be delivered to Toys for Tots in the U.S. and to local nonprofit organizations in Canada. Families that bring a new toy to donate Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 receive a free photo package valued at $20.
Activities, games, crafts and displays vary by time and location. For a complete list of activities and times, visit basspro.com/santa or cabelas.com/santa and select a store location.