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Bass Pro Shops in Springfield is about to turn its flagship store into a holiday destination again, and the calendar is already full. OzarksFirst first reported the lineup of free photos and holiday events. The bigger question circulating among locals who remember last year’s surprise: does the parking lot ice rink come back for round two?
Santa Arrives Nov. 7 (Saturday)
Santa’s Wonderland kicks off Saturday, Nov. 7, with Santa’s own arrival at 5 p.m. The outdoor celebration is free and comes with seasonal treats and mini reindeer plush giveaways while supplies last. The following day, Nov. 8, is when the main attraction opens: a free 4×6 photo with Santa and a shareable video, running every day through Christmas Eve. Families who want more than the free print can buy additional photo packages on site.
Free Crafts, Letters, and Two Events That Need a Reservation
Weekday visits bring their own lineup. Santa ornament crafts run Nov. 9 through Nov. 27, and bass sticker-by-number sheets run Nov. 30 through Dec. 18, both free. Kids can also drop a letter in Santa’s mailbox inside the store, and anyone who includes an email address gets a written reply back.
Two events need reservations ahead of time. Christmas Tales brings story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus at 5 p.m. every Tuesday from Nov. 10 through Dec. 22, 2026, with a photo opportunity afterward. Merry Morning Breakfast is a sit-down breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2026, including a Santa hat cup and a 4×6 photo, though reservations do not open until Nov. 28 and are capped at four people per family.
Regular Santa visits can be booked free up to seven days out on Bass Pro’s Springfield events page, and walk-ins are welcome first come, first served.
Last Year’s Ice Rink Surprise, and Whether It Comes Back
Here is where it gets interesting for anyone close enough to the store to watch it happen in real time. In 2025, Bass Pro surprised Springfield by building a real outdoor ice rink, called Santa’s Wonderland Ice Rink, in the front parking lot of the flagship store at 1 Bass Pro Drive. It ran daily from Nov. 3, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at $25 a person including skate rental.
So far, there is no confirmation from Bass Pro on whether the rink returns for 2026. It is not listed anywhere on the store’s current public event pages, and a recent roundup of where to ice skate around Springfield from the local tourism bureau left Bass Pro off the list entirely, though that alone is not proof it is gone for good. Anyone who wants to lace up again this year should call the store directly at 417-887-7334 and ask before making plans around it.
This story will be updated once Bass Pro confirms the rink’s status either way.
The Short Version
Santa’s Wonderland is back on schedule, with photos, crafts, story time, and a reserved breakfast all locked in through Christmas Eve. The ice rink that turned heads last December is the one piece nobody has confirmed yet, and it is worth a call before anyone shows up expecting skates.
Frequently asked questions
When does Santa's Wonderland start at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield in 2026?
Santa arrives Saturday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m. for the free outdoor kickoff celebration.
How do you get a free photo with Santa at Bass Pro Shops?
Starting Nov. 8 and running through Christmas Eve, families get a free 4×6 photo and a shareable video; bigger packages can be purchased on site.
Is the Bass Pro Shops ice skating rink in Springfield coming back for 2026?
It has not been confirmed. The rink debuted in 2025 in the store's front parking lot and ran through Jan. 4, 2026, at $25 per person including skate rental. Call the store at 417-887-7334 to check on 2026 plans.
How do you make a reservation to see Santa at Bass Pro Shops?
Free reservations can be booked up to seven days ahead on Bass Pro's website, and walk-ins are welcome first come, first served.
Where is the Springfield Bass Pro Shops flagship store?
1 Bass Pro Drive, Springfield, Missouri 65807, the original Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World location.
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