Free Photos with Santa in Minnesota + More Ways to Visit Santa for Less

Visiting Santa is one of the sweetest holiday traditions, but mall photo packages can add up fast! The good news is there are several ways to see Santa in Minnesota for FREE, including free photos for your kids AND your pets. Here’s our roundup of free and low-cost Santa visits around the state.

Most locations announce their schedules in early November, so we’ll keep this post updated with this year’s dates as they’re released.

Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s – FREE Santa Photos

Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s is one of the best freebies of the holiday season! Families can visit Santa and get a FREE 4×6 photo, plus a free shareable video. While you’re there, kids can enjoy games, toy stations and crafts in the Wonderland area.

Santa arrives at Cabela’s on Saturday, November 7, at 5pm with a free arrival celebration featuring seasonal treats and a free Mini Reindeer Plush while supplies last. Santa’s Wonderland then runs November 8 through Christmas Eve. Reservations are free and can be made up to seven days in advance at cabelas.com/santa, and walk-ins are welcome too.

Don’t miss these free extras (separate reservations required):

• Christmas Tales – Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by a group photo, Tuesdays at 5pm from November 10 to December 22.
• Merry Morning Breakfast – Saturday, December 5, at 9am, with a free Santa hat cup and 4×6 photo. Reservations open November 28, with a maximum of 4 people per family.
• Weekday giveaways – Santa ornament crafts from November 9 to 27, and a sticker-by-number sheet from November 30 to December 18, while supplies last.

Minnesota Cabela’s locations:

• Rogers – 20200 Rogers Drive
• Woodbury – 8400 Hudson Road
• Owatonna – 3900 Cabela Drive
• East Grand Forks – 210 Demers Ave NW

Tip: Reservation times go quickly, especially on weekends in December. Book as soon as your preferred date opens up!

FREE Pet Photos with Santa

PetSmart

Don’t forget your furry family members! PetSmart hosts free pet photos with Santa at every store. Pets of all kinds are welcome (following the in-store pet policy), and a PetSmart associate dressed as Santa poses with your pet in front of a holiday backdrop.

Last year’s event took place on December 13th and 14th, and spots were limited, so you’ll want to book early. Watch for this year’s dates and reserve your spot on the PetSmart Santa Photo Days page.

Petco

Petco is also hosting free photos with Santa on December 13, from noon to 2pm. Not every store participates, so check your local Petco’s store page for a “photos with Santa” banner.

Sensory-Friendly Santa Visits

For kids who find crowds, bright lights and loud music overwhelming, sensory-friendly Santa events offer a calmer way to enjoy the tradition. These visits usually happen before the mall opens, with dimmed lights, no music and a specially trained Santa.

• Caring Santa at Southdale Center (Edina) – Sunday, December 6, from 9:30 to 10:30am in Center Court. Caring Santa is Simon’s version of Santa Cares, so it has the same calm, sensory-friendly setting, and no purchase is required to book. Reserve on the Southdale Caring Santa page. Buying a photo package is optional.
• Sensory Santa at Crossroads Center (St. Cloud) – Sunday, December 6, from 9:30 to 10:30am. These Santa Cares visits happen outside normal shopping hours, with reduced lighting and music and a sensory-friendly trained Santa and staff. Advance registration is required to keep crowds and wait times down, but no purchase is required to book, and buying a photo package is optional. Reserve your spot on the Crossroads Center Where Is Santa page.
• Santa Visits the Sensory Room at Plymouth Community Center – Last year, families got a free 10-minute one-on-one visit with Santa in a calming sensory space and could take their own photos. Registration is required and spots are limited, so watch the City of Plymouth calendar for this year’s date.

More FREE Santa Visits Around Minnesota

• Santa’s Workshop at Landmark Center (St. Paul) – Sunday, December 13, from 1 to 3pm. Get a FREE photo with Santa, then stay to make gifts for loved ones, decorate gift bags and play games.
• Santa at Split Rock Lighthouse (Two Harbors) – Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13, from 11am to 2pm. Visit with Santa and snap a photo! Kids ages 5–17 get free admission both days, and adults can explore the lighthouse grounds for free by bringing a donation for the Silver Bay Veterans Home. See the giving guide for what to bring, and find details on the MNHS event page.
• Santa & Albert’s Holiday Play at Bachman’s – Catch the free holiday play and meet Santa at Bachman’s on Lyndale.
• Twin Cities Premium Outlets (Eagan) – Last year, the outlets offered free photos with Santa and his live reindeer in early December, plus a free hot chocolate voucher for the first 100 kids.
• Lowe’s (Coon Rapids) – Last year, the Coon Rapids Lowe’s hosted free photos with Santa on Saturdays in December, with spots booked through the store’s Facebook event.
• Tree lighting celebrations – Many cities, including Anoka, Coon Rapids, Crystal and Cottage Grove, include a free visit from Santa at their holiday kickoff events.

Low-Cost Santa Visits

These aren’t free, but they bundle a Santa visit with a fun outing, so you get more for your money than a mall photo package.

• Santa’s Train Shop at Jackson Street Roundhouse (St. Paul) – Held the first three weekends of December, admission includes photos with Santa, a festive caboose ride, a Christmas LegoLand, a kids’ area, guided tours of the historic shop and live holiday entertainment. Book tickets on the Minnesota Transportation Museum website.
• Night Trains at Twin City Model Railroad Museum (St. Paul) – The holiday-lit model trains are magical on their own, and the museum has hosted special Santa nights in past seasons. Check the museum’s schedule for this year’s dates.

Santa at the Mall

Mall Santas usually charge for photo packages, but they’re a convenient option with long hours throughout the season. Many also offer extras like pet photo nights.

• Mall of America (Bloomington) – Santa kicks off the season with an arrival celebration, then meets with families through Christmas Eve. See the full schedule on the Mall of America events page.
• Eden Prairie Center – Santa visits at SCHEELS Court run from mid-November through Christmas Eve, and they’ve offered pet photos with Santa on Mondays. Reservations are recommended.
• Southdale Center (Edina) – Along with Caring Santa, Southdale offers pet photos with Santa from December 6 to 13. Photos are available to buy.
• Crossroads Center (St. Cloud) – Santa visits run November 20 through Christmas Eve, with Pet Parties on November 30, December 1, 7 and 8 from 5 to 7pm. Book on the Where Is Santa page.

Tips to Save on Santa Visits

• Book early. Free reservations fill up fast, especially closer to Christmas.
• Go on a weekday. Lines and wait times are usually much shorter than on weekends.
• Bring your own camera. Some free visits let you snap your own photos, so you can skip the photo package altogether.
• Check your community calendar. Many tree lightings, holiday festivals and library events include a free visit from Santa.

More Holiday Fun in Minnesota

• Holiday Lights in Minnesota – A Big Alphabetized List!
• 2026 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train at Union Depot + More!
• Drive-Through and Walk-Through Live Nativity Events in Minnesota
• Minnesota’s Best Holiday Boutiques and Christmas Markets
• Free Printable Holiday Budget Worksheet + Tips
• Minnesota New Year’s Eve Parties for Kids

Know of another free Santa visit in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the list!