Free Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s: 2026 Dates and Reservation Rules
Last verified: November 14, 2026.
Free photos are reported to begin November 8.
The end date is the open question. MetroFamily Magazine’s listing for an Oklahoma City store runs through December 24, 2026. Last year’s run went from November 1 to December 24, 2025, according to the Bass Pro Shops help article.
How do the reservations work?
Reservations are free and required for the photo.
If the seven-day rule holds in 2026 [VERIFY], you cannot book a mid-December slot in early November. Set a reminder a week before the day you want. Walk-in rules and pet photos vary by store, and the help article tells families to contact their store directly.
What do you get, and what costs extra?
The free part is one 4×6 print and a shareable video. Extra photo packages are for sale. After your visit, you get a SecureCode by email or on a card, and you use it on the Bass Pro Shops photo page to view, download or buy packages.
The arrival party is also reported to include a Mini Reindeer Plush giveaway while supplies last. Past seasons added crafts and a mailbox for letters to Santa. A 2025 Memphis Parent listing says kids who include an email address get a personalized reply.
Use a separate email address for that, since the reservation and the letter both hand your contact details to the retailer.
Is it the same event at Cabela’s?
Yes. Bass Pro Shops describes Santa’s Wonderland as one event at its Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores across North America. The free photo is offered at each participating store, and activities differ by location. A BringFido listing shows the East Hartford, Connecticut store running November 8 to December 24, 2026 and calls it dog-friendly, which is one store’s schedule, not a rule for all.
Is it worth the trip?
It is worth your time if a store is a short drive away and you book a slot. The print and video are the only items every source agrees are free. If a store is an hour away, one photo is a thin reason to go.
Open the official page on November 1, pick your store and book the first time slot that fits. Then check the confirmation email for the store address and your photo time.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation for Santa photos at Bass Pro Shops?
Yes. MetroFamily Magazine’s 2026 listing says advance reservations are required, and the 2025 Bass Pro Shops help article said the same. Booking is free.
Is the Bass Pro Shops Santa photo really free?
The 4×6 print and the shareable video are free. Additional photo packages are for sale, and you can decline them. Nothing in the pages checked says you must buy anything to get the free photo.
Can I bring my dog for the Santa photo?
It depends on the store. The Bass Pro Shops help article says pet photos vary by location. A BringFido listing calls the East Hartford, Connecticut store dog-friendly. Call your store before you bring a pet.
Do Cabela’s stores offer the same free photo?
Yes. Bass Pro Shops says Santa’s Wonderland runs at both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores, with the free photo at each participating store. Activities differ by location, so check your store’s schedule.