Places To Take Photos With Santa This Christmas (2026)
Santa’s sleigh is making stops across Northwest Arkansas this December, and there’s no shortage of chances to get that annual photo. From free snapshots at Bass Pro to full holiday experiences with hot cocoa and crafts, here’s where to find the man in red before Christmas Eve.
Bentonville
Pictures with Santa Chris
📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026
🕑 Noon–3:00 PM
📍 The Commons, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712
🎟️ Free admission; no tickets required
🔗 More info
Meet Santa Chris, featured in the HBO Max documentary Santa Camp, and capture a keepsake digital photo with the family. Enjoy festive artmaking and other holiday activities during your visit.
Winter Market of NWA
📅 Friday, November 27 & Saturday, November 28, 2026
⏰ Friday: 3:00–7:00 PM | Saturday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
📍 Benton County Fair and Expo Center, 7640 SW Regional Airport Blvd, Bentonville, AR 72712
🎟️ Free admission and parking
🔗 More info
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus for free photos on both days while shopping local vendors for handmade gifts, holiday décor, and treats. Explore the outdoor live nativity with real animals and twinkling Christmas lights for more festive family fun.
Pancakes with Santa at Willowbrook School
📅 Saturday, December 5, 2026
⏰ 8:00–10:00 AM
📍 Willowbrook School, 1800 SW Gator Blvd, Bentonville, AR
🔗 More info
Bring the kids to meet Santa and capture a festive family photo at Willowbrook School’s Pancakes with Santa. Little ones can share their Christmas wishes with Santa, then enjoy pancakes, holiday crafts, and activities for a cheerful start to the season.
Rogers
Pinnacle Hills Promenade – Where is Santa
📅 Friday, December 4, 2026–Thursday, December 24, 2026
🕑 Hours vary
📍 2203 Promenade Boulevard, Rogers, AR 72758
🎟️ Book your time slot
Make Santa photos part of your holiday shopping trip at Pinnacle Hills Promenade. Walk-ups are welcome every day until closing, or reserve a time online. Multiple families are scheduled within each 15-minute reservation window.
Bass Pro Shop – Santa’s Wonderland
📅 Sunday, November 8, 2026– Thursday, December 24, 2026
📍 Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Rogers
🎟️ Free
🔗 More info
Visit Santa for a free 4×6 studio-quality photo and a complimentary shareable video, plus kids’ crafts and holiday activities. Reserve your free visit up to seven days in advance; walk-ins are accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional photo packages are available, with CLUB members receiving 20% off.
More free Santa experiences
- Santa’s Arrival: November 7 at 5:00 PM, with seasonal treats and a Mini Reindeer Plush giveaway while supplies last.
- Christmas Tales: Tuesdays, November 10–December 22, at 5:00 PM. Enjoy stories with Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by a family photo. Separate reservations open seven days in advance.
- Merry Morning Breakfast: December 5 at 9:00 AM. Includes a Santa hat cup and a 4×6 photo per family. Separate reservations open November 28, with a maximum of four people per family.
Founders Plaza Christmas Tree Lighting
📅 Friday, November 20, 2026
🕑 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Founders Plaza, 5001 W Founders Way, Suite L10, Rogers, AR 72758
🎟️ Free
🔗 More info
Kick off the Christmas season at Founders Plaza! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there for complimentary professional photos and a gift from Mattel. The 50-foot Christmas tree lights up at 6:00 PM. The evening also includes live music, holiday performances, a Local Vendor Village, and handcrafted ornaments that support Saving Grace.
Rogers Historical Museum — Holiday Open House
📅 Saturday, December 12, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Santa storytimes at 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
📍 Rogers Historical Museum, 322 S 2nd St, Rogers
🎟️ Free, family-friendly admission
🔗 More info
Meet Santa and bring your wish list to the 26th Annual Holiday Open House on December 12, from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. Enjoy free holiday crafts, refreshments, and guided tours of the 1895 Hawkins House, plus Santa’s readings of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Rogers Christmas Parade
📅 Friday, December 4, 2026
⏰ Festivities begin at 5:00 PM | Parade starts at 6:30 PM
📍 Downtown Rogers
🎟️ Free admission
🔗 More info
Meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch during Rogers’ “Christmas in Toyland” celebration. Arrive early for the festivities, then watch toy-inspired floats bring holiday cheer to downtown at 6:30 PM. Santa and Mrs. Claus’ appearance is sponsored by the Walmart AMP.
Fayetteville
Lights of the Ozarks in Downtown Square
Visits with Santa at Lights of the Ozarks
📅 Fridays, December 4, 11 & 18, 2026
🕑 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Historic Downtown Square, Fayetteville, AR
🎟️ Free
🔗 2026 event details and Santa schedule
Visit Santa on Fayetteville’s Historic Downtown Square on three Friday evenings in December while enjoying Lights of the Ozarks. The free light display runs November 20, 2026–January 1, 2027, with lights illuminated nightly from 5:00 PM–1:00 AM. Santa’s appearances have their own limited schedule; he is not there throughout the full display season so be sure to catch him on schedule.
Hot Cocoa with Santa
📅 Saturday, December 12, 2026
🕑 Two sessions: 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM
📍 TheatreSquared | 477 W Spring St, Fayetteville, AR 72701
🎟️ Free and open to the public; RSVPs appreciated
🔗 RSVP for Hot Cocoa with Santa
This FREE community event features photos with Santa along with a hot cocoa bar which includes all of the fixin’s, games and activities for kids, and holiday story times. Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVP so organizers can prepare for your visit.
Stewart Family Christmas Light Display
📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026 to Saturday, January 2, 2027 | Open every night, including all holidays
🕔 Sunday to Thursday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Friday and Saturday: 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM
📍 4279 E Wyman Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
🎟️ $10
🔗 More info
The Stewart Family Christmas Lights are back for their biggest and brightest year yet. Walk through over 7 million lights and hundreds of inflatables, grab something tasty from the concessions, and meet Santa, who will be there every night.
Northwest Arkansas Mall- Santa Photo Experience
📅 Friday, November 20, 2026 to Thursday, December 24, 2026
📍 Northwest Arkansas Mall, 4201 N. Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72703
🎟️ Reservation
Visit Santa at Northwest Arkansas Mall and take home a holiday photo your family will keep for years. Walk-ups are welcome every day until closing, but reserving online lets you skip the rush and reschedule for free up to 48 hours before your visit. Online bookings come with free digital greeting cards from Pixie Post (Elite, Premium and Standard packages), 50% off a Shutterfly order plus 10 free holiday cards, and a personalized digital message from Santa through Portable North Pole. Multiple families are scheduled in each 15-minute slot.
Santa Drop and Holly Fest!
📅 Saturday, December 5, 2026
🕑 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Arkansas Air & Military Museum, 4290 S School Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701
🎟️ RSVP here
Enjoy pictures with Santa from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM and watch the Santa Drop at noon, weather permitting. The celebration also features a Vintage Christmas Market from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and the Hollyfest Parade at 10:00 AM.
Springdale
Holiday Express Pajama Train
📅 Select dates, Saturday, November 28, 2026–Saturday, December 19, 2026
⏰ Departure times vary; check the booking schedule
📍 Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, Springdale Depot, 306 E Emma Ave, Springdale
🎟️ Tickets required; confirm current fares when booking
🔗 More info
Put on your pajamas and hop aboard the Holiday Express for a festive train ride with Santa! Enjoy cocoa and cookies, share your Christmas wishes, and capture a photo with Santa during this family holiday outing from Springdale.
Eureka Springs
Santa in the Park at Basin Spring Park
📅 Saturdays, December 5, 12 & 19, 2026
🕑 Noon–5:00 PM
📍 Basin Spring Park, 4 Spring Street, Historic Downtown Eureka Springs
🎟️ Free | Event details
Meet Santa at Basin Spring Park in the heart of downtown Eureka Springs. Bring the family to share Christmas wish lists and take a commemorative photo during this free event, held every Saturday in December leading up to Christmas.
Santa’s Village at the Crescent Hotel
📅 Saturdays, December 12 & 19, 2026
🕑 Noon–5:00 PM | Photos with Santa: 2:00–4:00 PM
📍 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, 75 Prospect Ave, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
🔗 More info
Capture festive photos with Santa and enjoy a day of holiday fun at the Crescent Hotel. Explore the Christmas Tree Forest, make a handmade toy at Santa’s Toy Village, go sledding, and enjoy reindeer rides from noon–3:00 PM. Cookie decorating and gingerbread-house building run from 1:00–3:00 PM, with seasonal treats available at the Hot Cocoa Café and Candy Cane Café.
Northwest Arkansas has Santa covered from late November through Christmas Eve. Check the schedules, pick your spot, and don’t forget to charge your phone before you go.