Where To Get Santa Photos In Auckland In 2025
Alice Rich
Contributor & Former Editor | Urban List NZ
‘Tis the season for festive frivolities, gloriously subpar Christmas movies and strategic consumption of electrolytes. It’s also time for the annual Christmas snap, preferably in the ugliest Christmas sweater possible, and sunglasses, obviously. Bonus points for a blank facial expression.
And by some Christmas miracle, you can now get the deed done before Old Father Time moves us into December. That’s a level of efficiency that’ll turn this Halloween girlie festive. I might even attempt an actual smile. Especially if I can sit my cat on Santa’s lap (which is also possible, I’ll have you know).
So whether you’re mentally preparing for the toddler-tantruming-on-Santa’s-knee keepsake, you’re intending to trick your flatfam into a group shot for the fridge, or you’re just downright impressed that sign language santa is a thing, here’s where to get Santa (and Grinch) photos in Auckland.
Enchanted Forest
17-19 Teed Street, Newmarket | 25 October-24 December; low sensory sessions 29 November
Image credit: Enchanted Christmas | Facebook
Christmas is a polarising affair. You’re either stuffing your face with tiny tree-shaped cookies and getting your Christmas crafting on at any opportunity, or you’re denouncing it as a capitalist’s wet dream. And if you happen to know someone who identifies as a Grinch (or maybe it’s you), the Enchanted Forest’s the place to go. With over 200 Christmas trees, a Euro Christmas-style market and the opportunity to meet either Santa or the Grinch, everybody’s sorted. They’ve even got special days for cats, dogs and other pets. Schtaaaap.
Westfield
Various locations | From 15 November
If there were a Spirit Of Christmas Award for shopping centres, Westfield would be a very strong contender indeed. They’re cranking the cheer-o-meter (technical term) up to 3000% this year and not least because they got things underway in mid-November. I mean, getting your Christmas shopping and your Santa pic crossed off the list before it’s even December? A Christmas miracle. Swing by with your possie, your kids, your crew, even your pets, for a festive snap that’s sure to take pride of place on the mantlepiece. Check with your local Westfield for dates and times.
Sylvia Park
286 Mount Wellington Highway, Mount Wellington, Auckland | 15 November-24 December
Turns out the space between Lush and Glassons is a portal to the North Pole. How else could you explain that Santa has appeared in that very spot? Arranged in collaboration with the North Pole eleves (and Kiwi Property), every child who visits Sylvia Park Santa will receive a book called Holly's Helping Wings which is a gorgeous, tangible representation of Kiwi Property's partnership with the Mental Health Foundation.
Gingerbread Village
7 Summits Restaurant, Snowplanet, 91 Small Road, Silverdale | 22 November-7 December
Image credit: Snowplanet | Facebook
Look, we’ve all had someone (but more likely, many someones) bemoan our lack of snow at Christmastime and, actually, that’s totally fair. Next time that happens, point them in the direction of Snowplanet’s Gingerbread Village. There’ll be snow-capped trees, a red velvet-clad knee to shimmy onto if that’s their vibe, and a sick slope to pop a buttery tripod backflip on, a totally legitimate snowboard trick that I definitely didn’t just make up.
NZ Sign Language Santa
Westfield Newmarket, 277 Broadway, Newmarket | Saturday 28 November
When I was watching decidely B-grade Christmas flick, Noelle, earlier this month (I got started early, ok?), I learned that Santa can, allegedly, speak every language ever invented. While I can’t personally attest to that in the real world, I can confirm he definitely speaks New Zealand Sign Language. At least, the Santa who’ll be at Westfield Newmarket on 28 November will be able to, along with an entourage of helpers and an interpreter to make sure nobody misses out on sharing their Christmas wish. Is it just me being hit in the feels?
German Christmas Market
30 Kaurilands Road, Titirangi | Saturday 29 November
If the thought of Christmas shopping leaves you feeling faint, this year’s German Christmas Market is one to rally for, not least because bratwurst makes everything better. Plus, Santa will be there (that and the largest collection of pretzels this side of Berlin) so skip on over, snag that photo, eat your bodyweight in candied almonds and cookies. Kids getting a bit out of line? Have them tire themselves out in the bouncy castle while you sip smugly on hot chocolate or a cheeky mulled wine. Better still, there’s a Bastelstube a.k.a. a craft grotto where you can decorate your own wreath, make magic wands and out-wrap the other shoppers (because it isn’t a competition except that it absolutely is).
You Might Also Like:
- Where To See The Prettiest Christmas Lights In Tāmaki Makaurau
- This Auckland Christmas Market Serves Mulled Wine
- Christmas Edibles Worth Forking Out For
Takapuna Christmas Carnival
Waiwharariki Avenue Square, Takapuna | Saturday 29 November
Head to the Takapuna Christmas Carnival and seeing Santa will be a shore-thing. See what I did there? While Santa will most certainly be there, amidst market stalls, performances and general merriment, it’s not certain whether he’ll be open to photo ops. However, Elsa (yes, *that* Elsa) and Spiderman are also on the guest list, so it’s worth attending regardless. Get a photo with all three of them and you’ll be my hero forever.
Santa’s Studio
One Queen Courtyard, Commercial Bay, outside Hugo Boss | 1-24 December
Image credit: Commercial Bay | Facebook
If you like your festivities fashion-forward, set the scene for a rather elevated Szn with an appointment at Santa’s Studio in Commercial Bay. The designer wonderland, brought to life by the merry folks at Wonder, has reimagined Christmas with Santa decked out in designer threads, a striking leather Christmas tree, and sculptured snowmen (I’m manifesting a Hot Frosty moment for you). Book in for a portrait—with or without Saint Nick—and you’ll score a $30 Commercial Bay gift voucher to help out with checking the goods off your list. Plus, if you drop a letter in the Magic Mailbox you could score a $1000 Commercial Bay voucher, too. Calm sessions available for children and individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Cathedral Christmas Market
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell | Tuesday 9 December
If you’ve had it up to here with all the frothing over the so-called ‘big man in red’, the Cathedral Christmas Market is for you. While Santa will be there, so will Mrs Claus which feels like a win for feminism. Plus, the Food Truck Collective will be slingin’ all the eats, so there’s no way you’re walking out of there disappointed.
Coca-Cola Christmas In The Park
Auckland Domain, Park Road, Parnell | Saturday 13 December
If sitting on Santa’s lap feels a little too close for comfort, you might like to opt for a Santa selfie instead, complete with a dramatic background of fireworks as Santa makes his annual appearance at the family-friendly and free Coca-Cola Christmas In The Park. And if you miss the shot because you’re caught up in the electric energy of the spectacular performances or mesmerised by the bone-shaking fireworks, I don’t think you’ll mind at all.
Magical Christmas Wonderland
SkyCity Auckland, corner Victoria and Federal Streets | 15-24 December
Image credit: SkyCity Auckland | Facebook
Get sky-high this Christmas. And by that I obviously mean diving into Santa’s Magical Wonderland 328 metres up in the air at SkyCity—what were you thinking? Never to do anything by halves, SkyCity is delivering in sackfuls. You can snap your photo with Santa, sure, but you might as well live the full festive fantasy and get as snap-happy as a tipsy teenager in the 2000s determined to document every second for her FB wall (not me speaking from experience). Photos are available with a pair of adorable Gingerbread people, with some pixies thrown in for good measure, a jovial fairy and Scotty Sky Tower and the Candy Cane Elves. A SkyBar Kiwi Christmas Cocktail as the proverbial star atop the Christmas tree? Don’t mind if I do.
Can't get enough Christmas? Check out:
- Where To Eat On Christmas Day In Auckland
- The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide For Dudes
- Auckland's Best Real Christmas Tree Farms
Main image credit: Enchanted Christmas | Facebook
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.