Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland returns to the Manteca store at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m.

 “The evening Santa arrives will be a special celebration featuring Christmas carols in front of the store. On Nov. 9, we’ll also be treating customers to free cookies and McSteven’s hot chocolate,” said Katie Mitchell, Bass Pro Shops communications manager. “Plus in participating stores, kids will be invited to help Santa, through a little magic, to light up the outside of the store and a big Christmas tree in the main entrance.  Kids can then follow Santa into the store for the unveiling of Santa's Wonderland.

Santa’s Wonderland will dazzle visitors with its variety of animated Christmas characters such as nutcrackers and reindeer as well as live Christmas elves. The Christmas village offers an old-time model train area, remote control trucks, a laser arcade, and slot car racing*.  Kids can also spend time at one of the activity tables where they can write a letter to Santa, color and do fun crafts, all for free.

Special Nov. 9 free preview night activities include:
• 5 to 7:30 p.m. — Santa will be giving away a $25 Bass Pro Shops gift card to one lucky winner every half hour.
• 6 to 8 p.m. —Families can take home a 4x6 free photo with Santa.
• 6 to 8 p.m. – Kids can color Christmas stockings and the first 125 kids will receive a free Santa backpack clip.*

The highlight of Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland is the big guy himself. Those visiting Santa Claus will receive a free 4 x 6 studio-quality photo weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.. Every store will also have an animatronics talking caribou that can interact with the crowd. In addition, Bass Pro Shops is offering free Christmas decorations and hand-made crafts to take home.  Holiday crafts for kids will include making holiday ornaments, a stuffed Christmas owl and Santa, a candy cane reindeer, and even decorating Christmas cookies on Dec. 24 from 3 p.m. to 5.pm. at most locations.

Free crafts are weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and weekends from noon to 5 p.m.