Say Cheese! The Best Places to Get Your Christmas Photos In Melbourne
The merry season in Melbourne is drawing near, and it’s time to get those Christmas photos sorted!
Melbourne offers a wide range of festive photo opportunities, from luxurious hotel packages featuring Santa meet-and-greets to charming community gardens and markets that bring a touch of nostalgia to your Christmas memories.
Got pets? No worries—there are plenty of pet-friendly photo experiences where your furry or feathered family members are star guests. And if you want something a little more bespoke, private sessions with interactive Santas and themed sets promise those genuine giggles and heartfelt moments you’ll cherish forever.
And yes, tucked into this list is that wonderfully quirky (and delightfully absurd) chance to channel your inner Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly with stepbrother-style silly Christmas photos. Trust us, your Christmas cards will be the envy of everyone on their mantel—or at least cause a few jealous double-takes.
So grab your kitschy Christmas jumpers (or that questionable 80s-themed outfit), round up your favourite people and pets, and get ready to make some merry memories.
Here’s our go-to list of the best places in Melbourne to get your Christmas photo game on point in 2025—cheesy grins and all.
Westfield Santa’s Photography
Various Locations
Image Credit: Westfield | Supplied
The magic of Christmas comes alive at Westfield malls across Melbourne this festive season, starting from Saturday, November 8, 2025. Westfield’s annual Santa photography bookings are officially open, offering a wonderful opportunity to capture cherished holiday memories with the jolly man himself. This beloved tradition brings families, friends and even pets together in a joyful celebration of Christmas spirit.
Westfield has thoughtfully designed its Santa experiences to be inclusive and accessible for everyone. For families with sensory sensitivities, there are Sensitive Santa sessions that create a calm, welcoming environment. Those in the Deaf and hard of hearing community can enjoy Auslan Santa experiences at selected centres, ensuring nobody misses out on the festive fun.
Plus, pet owners can bring along their furry, feathered, or scaly companions for personalised pet photography sessions—capturing those heartwarming moments with all members of your family.
When: Saturday, 8 November 2025 (varies per state)- Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Forever Friends Animal Rescue Christmas Extravaganza
Grattan Gardens Community Centre, 40 Grattan Street, Prahran
Bring in the season of giving with the Forever Friends Animal Rescue (FFAR) Christmas Extravaganza. This heartfelt event is the only fundraiser of the year for Forever Friends Animal Rescue (FFAR), a volunteer-run organisation, and it promises a family-friendly day filled with festive cheer and countless shopping opportunities—all dedicated to supporting rescued animals across Victoria.
FFAR has rescued and rehomed thousands of animals over the past decade but is facing an urgent need for community support this year due to rising rescue costs and slower adoptions. Every dollar raised at the event goes directly to vet care, transport and food for animals in desperate situations.
Visitors can enjoy Christmas photos with a professional photographer, face-painting for the kids, and a potential special visit from Mr Husky—weather permitting. Pet owners will appreciate the “Puppy Parking Bay,” allowing dogs to relax safely while their humans explore handmade gifts, volunteer-crafted treasures, and adorable Forever Friends merchandise. Entry is free, so what are you waiting for?
When: Saturday, 29 November 2025, from 10am-4pm
Santa Beach Photos Melbourne
Edithvale Beach, The Esplanade, Edithvale
Image Credit: Santa Beach Photos Melbourne | Website
Looking for a different Santa photo experience this Christmas? Santa Beach Photos Melbourne presents a fun, unforgettable way to capture your family’s festive spirit—by the beach! Think of the iconic Melbourne beach boxes, sunshine and the sea, all creating the perfect backdrop for your Christmas photos. This pup-friendly event welcomes kids, families, besties, sports teams and even co-workers for a relaxed outdoor photo session.
This year, Santa’s Beach House is also raising funds for the Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS), a charity dedicated to caring for and rehoming lost or abandoned animals in Keysborough. $5 from every pet photo session will be donated to AAPS. There’s also a donation box for pet food and toys—so consider bringing an item to support the cause.
Sessions start at $89, with larger groups accommodated up to $170. Book your slice of sunny Christmas magic and help local animals this festive season!
When: Saturday, 29 November 2025-Saturday, 20 December 2025
Myer Santaland
Various Locations
Step into the wonder of the festive season at Santaland in selected Myer stores across Melbourne. This holiday favourite invites families to climb aboard the twinkling Santaland Express train for a whimsical journey to the North Pole, or book a session to capture magical moments with Santa himself.
Santaland caters to all families with special experiences including Sensory Santa sessions—perfect for children who need a quiet, sensory-friendly environment with gentle lighting and minimal noise. Available before store hours, these sessions ensure everyone can enjoy the magic comfortably.
For pet lovers, Santa Paws offers a chance to bring your four-legged friends for a festive photo with Santa (cats and dogs only), available by booking to maintain an intimate and relaxed experience. Newborns are also celebrated with Baby’s First Christmas sessions, providing a beautiful way to commemorate this special milestone.
Santaland operates in multiple Myer locations including Melbourne City, Chadstone, Doncaster, Northland, and more. Remember, booking is essential to secure your spot for the shoots!
When: Saturday, 8 November 2025-Wednesday, 24th December 2025
Waverley Gardens Santa Photos
Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre, 271 Police Road, Mulgrave
Image Credit: Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre | Website
This festive season, Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre in Mulgrave is calling families to form lasting Christmas memories with Santa.
Allocated 15-minute time slots allow multiple families per session, with one booking per family. New additions for 2025 include multi-family and large group booking sessions, available on Thursday nights and weekends early in the season.
To secure your place, a minimum Starter Photo Pack purchase of $28 (or $33 for pet sessions) is required, with Value, USB and Card Packs available for pre-purchase or upgrade. Extra prints, digital files and photo gifts can also be purchased on site.
Pet owners are warmly encouraged to include dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs or rabbits in their photos—with up to three pets per sitting—with safety guidelines in place, including leashes or travel pens and dedicated entry via the Woolworths entrance. An elf will greet and guide you to Santa for your magical pet or family photo session.
When: Saturday, 22 November 2025-Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Hotel Chadstone Santa Photography
1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone
Image Credit: Hotel Chadstone | Website
Celebrate Christmas in style with the exclusive Santa Photography Package at Hotel Chadstone Melbourne’s MGallery Collection. This luxurious festive experience combines a cozy overnight stay with the magic of Chadstone’s renowned Santa Photography sessions, making it perfect for creating timeless holiday memories.
The package includes overnight accommodation, a delicious breakfast buffet at Pastore restaurant, complimentary undercover self-parking and a private Santa meet & greet paired with a premium photo session at Chadstone Shopping Centre. Capture joyful moments aboard Santa’s sleigh, surrounded by festive decor on the iconic ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ set.
Available for stays from November 5 to December 24, 2025, this exclusive offer requires booking at least seven days in advance and caters to groups of up to six. Youngsters aged 12 and under stay free when using existing bedding.
When: Wednesday, 5 November 2025-Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Chirnside Park Christmas Photos
Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, 239-241 Maroondah Highway, Chirnside Park
Image Credit: Chirnside Park | Website
The man in red is making a grand entrance at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre this Christmas, kicking off with an exciting welcome parade that begins outside Westpac and journeys through the entire centre. This festive procession sets the perfect scene for the season, building anticipation for magical moments and family memories.
Bookings are absolutely essential to secure your spot for a photo with Santa, ensuring a calm, spacious experience for each family. Chirnside Park offers dedicated time slots for Sensitive Santa sessions, providing a peaceful environment for families seeking a sensory-friendly visit.
Pet Photography sessions are also available, making it easy for furry friends to join in the holiday fun—but note: Only one family per booking to maintain a relaxed, happy atmosphere.
When: Saturday, 8 November 2025-Wednesday, 24 December 2025
The Real Santa at True Fairies
Wyreena Community Arts Centre, 13-23 Hull Rd, Croydon
Image Credit: True Fairies | Website
Bask in Christmas cheer like no other with The Real Santa at True Fairies’ fully themed Christmas Bar. This one-of-a-kind event invites large groups, families, workplaces and pets to share in festive cheer and capture memorable photos taken by the talented Jason East Photography.
If you're after a classic front-facing photo with snow, a playful "Give Santa A Roar" close-up to bring out natural smiles, or a creative Group Family Shot where costumes, matching outfits, props, and bold themes are encouraged, this is the place to make your holiday photos stand out.
Don’t skip the hilarious "Beard Shot," perfect for giggles as kids measure their beards against Santa's, or the cheeky "Mum On Santa's Lap" shot, adding a heartwarming twist to tradition.
Pet lovers can bring dogs, cats and even unconventional pets, such as bearded dragons or chickens, for festive photos alongside Santa. This is truly the only place in Melbourne to see The Real Santa and enjoy an inclusive, fun, and memorable photo session.
When: Saturday, 8 November 2025- Sunday, 21 December 2025
Christmas Mini Sessions With Kelly Stephens
46 Conyers Street, The Basin
Image Credit: Kelly Stephens | Website
The popular Christmas Mini Sessions by Kelly Stephens are back for 2025, bringing three beautifully themed sets to choose from for your perfect festive photos. Scheduled across November and December, these sessions give you plenty of time to share your treasured images on Christmas cards or as special gifts.
Pick between classic sets like "Magical Christmas Eve," with warm timber walls and old-fashioned toys—ideal for lovers of traditional red and green Christmas tones. Or capture the excitement of "Early on Christmas Morning," featuring a beautifully decorated tree with gold and crimson baubles, perfect for families in matching Christmas PJs.
For a regal touch, “Santa’s Kingdom” offers a majestic backdrop, ideal for formal, dressed-up photos with the Saint Nicholas himself.
When: Until Sunday, 14 December 2025
Awkward Christmas Portraits Melbourne
Unit 39/82 Levanswell Road, Moorabbin
Image Credit: Studio Warehouse | Website
Step into a beautifully nostalgic Christmas with the Awkward Christmas Mini Sessions at Studio Warrehouse. Now in their fourth year, these highly sought-after sessions offer a unique 80s-inspired theme that celebrates vintage charm over glittery, modern props.
Session durations are 30 minutes for up to four people at $80 + GST, including three instant digital images, with extras available at $5 each. Larger groups of 5–8 people can book a 45-minute session for $100 + GST, including five instant images.
The wardrobe is provided—everyone arrives in blue denim jeans and plain tees, with festive colours encouraged. Sports crop tops and plain onesies are recommended for quick outfit changes for gals and babies.
Pets are warmly welcomed, including dogs and cats, with some provisions for curious felines. The studio offers free parking in the industrial estate, but please be mindful of possible pet hair allergies as jumpers are shared and frequently washed.
When: Friday, 14 November 2025– Sunday, 21 December 2025
Main Image Credit: Studio Warehouse | Website
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