Christmas Freebies 2026: What's Actually Free
Santa photos, kids' workshops and holiday freebies, with the date and the catch
Short answer · checked November 15, 2026
9 Christmas freebies are confirmed for 2026, and 7 need no purchase. Free Santa photos: Bass Pro Shops. Free kids' workshops: Home Depot, Michaels, LEGO and Lowe's.
Christmas is 40 days away. Santa reservations and workshop sign-ups fill up, so book early.
New Christmas freebies are added as stores announce them, through December 24.
Free Santa photos and visits 2026
Free prints and Santa events from national stores. Most ask you to reserve a time; each one says so. Mall Santa photos are paid, so they aren't here.
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Nov 8 – Dec 24No purchase
4x6 Santa Photo at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela'sBass Pro Shops and Cabela's give a free 4x6 photo with Santa.
The catch: No purchase.
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Dec 5No purchase
Breakfast With Santa at Bass Pro and Cabela's, Dec. 5Families get a sit-down morning meal with Santa, plus a Santa-hat cup and a 4x6 photo to keep.
The catch: No purchase. Reservation required, max 4 per family
Free kids' Christmas workshops and crafts
Kids build or make a holiday project to take home. Most stores ask you to register online first.
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Nov 21No purchase
Kids Workshop: Christmas Car Ornament at Home DepotKids assemble and decorate a car-shaped holiday ornament, with the kit provided at no cost.
The catch: No purchase. Online registration recommended; child with an adult
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Nov 27 – Nov 28No purchase
Countdown to Craftsmas Advent Calendar at MichaelsMichaels is giving away a free Countdown to Craftsmas Advent Calendar on November 27th, with no purchase required.
The catch: No purchase.
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Nov 30 – Dec 1No purchase
LEGO Gingerbread House Build Event at ScheelsScheels is hosting a free LEGO Gingerbread House build event for kids ages 6 and up, part of its monthly LEGO events for young builders, starting November 30th.
The catch: No purchase.
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Dec 5No purchase
Holiday Train Kids Workshop at Home Depot, Dec. 5Kids build a holiday train kit at Home Depot's in-store workshop, with tools and instruction provided.
The catch: No purchase. Online registration recommended; child with an adult
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Dec 12No purchase
Holiday Trolley Car Kids Workshop at Lowe'sKids build and decorate a holiday trolley car to take home, no purchase needed.
The catch: No purchase. MyLowe's Rewards account + Kids Profile; registration required
More free Christmas stuff 2026
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Nov 17Needs a purchase
Starbucks Red Cup Day: Free Reusable Cup With Holiday Drink PurchaseOn Tuesday, November 17, buy any handcrafted holiday drink at Starbucks and get a free reusable red cup with your order.
The catch: A purchase is required.
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Dec 12 – Dec 13Needs a purchase
A Charlie Brown Christmas Streaming on Apple TV+Apple TV+ is streaming the classic holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas for free on December 12th and 13th.
The catch: A purchase is required.
How to get Christmas freebies
- Reserve Santa early: free Santa photo slots book up in December, especially on weekends.
- Register for workshops ahead: kids' workshops are free but limited, and most open registration a few weeks before.
- Check your city's page: light shows, tree lightings and local Santa visits are listed by day.
- Skip "chance to win" offers: sweepstakes and drawings aren't freebies, and they're left off this page.
Christmas freebies: common questions
Where can I get free Santa photos in 2026?
Bass Pro Shops. Mall Santa photos are paid packages; the free ones here are from stores, usually with a reservation.
Are there free kids' Christmas workshops in 2026?
Yes: Kids Workshop: Christmas Car Ornament at Home Depot (Nov 21), Countdown to Craftsmas Advent Calendar at Michaels (Nov 27 – Nov 28), LEGO Gingerbread House Build Event at Scheels (Nov 30 – Dec 1), Holiday Train Kids Workshop at Home Depot, Dec. 5 (Dec 5) and Holiday Trolley Car Kids Workshop at Lowe's (Dec 12). They are free, but most need online registration and supplies run out.
What's free for Christmas 2026 with no purchase?
7 of the 9 Christmas freebies here need no purchase. The rest need an order or a minimum spend, and each one says so.
Where are free Christmas events near me?
On your city's page. Light shows, tree lightings and local Santa visits are listed by day on each city page; this page covers national offers.
When do Christmas freebies get announced?
Through November and December. Stores announce Santa events and December workshops a few weeks ahead; new ones are added here as they're confirmed.
The full list with pictures is on Christmas freebies; for the weekend before, see what's free on Black Friday.
