The Best Spots To Get Your Santa Photos Across Sydney
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
We’ve all been there—the tears, the bribes, and the full-blown chaos that comes with trying to nail the annual Santa photo. And honestly, the only thing worse than wrestling for a half-smile is dragging overtired kids through a shopping centre with no end in sight.
Luckily, we’ve taken the stress out of the season. From luxe setups to local pop-ups, we’ve rounded up the best spots across Sydney/Eora to snap your Santa shot and get back to the festive fun.
These are the best places to get Santa photos in Sydney this year—no matter where you live.
How we choose: well-priced, well-decorated photo-ops that actually deliver on the Christmas magic—no dodgy backdrops or hidden fees.
The Best Sydney Santa Photos At A Glance
Jump to:
- The Best Santa Photos In The CBD
- The Best Santa Photos In The North
- The Best Santa Photos In The East
- The Best Santa Photos In The West
- The Best Santa Photos In The South
The Best Santa Photos In The CBD
David Jones
86/108 Castlereagh Street, Sydney | Thursday 6 November—Wednesday 24 December
Image credit: David Jones | Instagram
Sometimes all you want for Christmas is to fall back on the old faithful—and David Jones has been a go-to for family Santa photos for years.
Step into a beautifully themed set for a picture-perfect moment with Santa, surrounded by classic holiday charm and plenty of sparkle—packages start from $49.95 and include digital and print options.
Insider Intel:
- There'll also be Santa Pawtraits for furry family members and Sensitive Santa sessions available, to ensure every visitor gets their moment to shine.
Myer Sydney (Santaland)
436 George Street, Sydney | From November (dates TBC)
Image credit: Myer | Instagram
Department store Christmas lovers rejoice—Myer is also back in the game this year for photos in Santaland. Little ones can hop on the train ride, post their wish lists, and meet Santa for a photo that’ll outshine any other shopping centre snap.
Myer’s also running Santa Paws, Sensory Santa, and Baby’s First Christmas sessions across select stores, ensuring everyone (two-legged or four) gets a moment with the man in red. Packages start from $25.95, with digital and print options available.
Insider intel:
- Sensory Santa sessions run before the store opens, with gentle lighting and minimal music—a great op for kids who tend to get a little overstimulated.
The Tea Room, Queen Victoria Building
Sydney CBD | Friday 21 November—Wednesday 24 December
Image credit: The Tea Room | Website
If Santa ever hosted a lunchtime soirée, we imagine this is what it would be like. Step into the opulent ballroom of The Tea Room QVB for a Christmas experience that’s equal parts elegant and nostalgic. Under the glittering chandelier, families can indulge in a festive high tea brimming with delicate pastries, sugar-dusted scones—it'll have you feeling like a kid again.
Between sips of tea and tiers of treats, little ones can whisper their wish lists to Santa and capture the moment with a keepsake photo. Adult and teen sessions start at $105 per person, while children (1–12 years) are $65 and infants dine for free.
Insider intel:
- Spaces book out fast as the festive season approaches, so make sure to get in quick.
Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks | Every Sunday, 2 November—21 December (Summit Climbs before 11am)
Image credit: Bridgeclimb | Instagram
Turns out Santa’s swapping his sleigh for a safety harness this year. Every Sunday morning from 2 November to 21 December, you can spot the big man in red perched atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge—ready to snap a Christmas photo 134 metres above the harbour. If you are looking to shake up the usual Santa photo routine, this is a hard one to top (literally).
Each Summit Climb before 11am comes with the chance to nab your ultimate Aussie Christmas shot—skyline views, Santa hat, and all. Prices start from $344 for adults and $149 for kids (ages 8–15), including a printed summit photo, BridgeClimb cap, and a certificate of achievement for the little climbers.
Insider intel:
- Want the best light (and fewer squinting eyes)? Book the earliest climb of the day—morning sunshine over the harbour makes for a photo worth framing.
The Grounds of Alexandria
7a/2 Huntley Street, Alexandria | Daily, Wednesday 22 October—Wednesday 24 December
Image credit: The Grounds | Instagram
The Grounds are going full festive tartan this Christmas, so a Santa photo here will be giving high-fashion runway shoot—because department store chic is so last year.
Set among the garden’s twinkling lights, each five-minute photo session ($70 + booking fees) includes a moment with Santa, one printed 6×8” photo, and three digital keepsakes delivered straight to your inbox within 24 hours.
There are even twilight sessions for those chasing that golden-hour glow—and yes, they will make sure to get your good side.
Insider intel:
- Your four-legged friends can also join in on the festive fun—we don't discriminate against dog parents.
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Broadway Shopping Centre
Bay Street, Ultimo | Wednesday 19 November—Thursday 25 December
Broadway is going all out this year with Santa’s Village, a Wonder Full Christmas experience that’s as fun as it is festive.
There’s something for everyone—classic Santa snaps, storytime sessions with Santa and Mrs Claus, pet-friendly shoots, and even ugly Christmas sweater photos (they’ll supply the sweaters, don’t stress). Sensitive sessions are also available for kids who prefer a calmer, quieter environment. Packages start from $24.95.
Insider Intel:
-
If you visit in November, you’ll score a free LEGO Minibuild kit as an early Christmas bonus.
The Best Santa Photos In The North
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden
420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives | From November (dates TBC)
Swap snow for sunshine and sleigh bells for cicadas at Santa in the Garden, returning to the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden for a uniquely Aussie take on Christmas photos.
Set among native blooms and bushland, this outdoor shoot is perfect for families who want a natural, relaxed backdrop (and maybe a few kookaburras in the frame). Each five-minute session includes three high-resolution digital images for $80.
Insider Intel:
- Parking is on-site, and sessions will go ahead rain, hail, or shine—because even Santa can handle a little Sydney drizzle.
Aussie Santa Photos
Long Reef Beach, Northern Beaches | Selected afternoons until Tuesday 23 December
Santa’s making his annual seaside return to Long Reef Beach, celebrating more than a decade of laid-back, beachside Christmas snaps. Skip the chaos of the shopping centre and swap it for salt air, sand, and a genuinely fun photo session that feels more like a family outing than a chore.
Each five-minute session is $85 and includes three high-resolution digital images delivered within 72 hours—just enough time to start planning your Christmas cards. Afternoon sessions (3pm–6.30pm) run through November and December, perfectly timed for ideal lighting.
Insider intel:
- Half the sessions are already booked out, so you'll have to jump on ASAP to secure a slot.
Santa On The Beach Pics
Curl Curl, Narrabeen, Bayview & Manly | Various dates until Saturday 13 December
Image credit: Santa On The Beach Pics | Instagram
Trade the shopping centre chaos for sea breeze and sunshine with Santa on the Beach Pics, bringing a true-blue Aussie twist to your Christmas photos. Since 2018, this crew of Christmas-loving photographers has been snapping relaxed, dog-friendly beach shoots that capture the joy (and occasional sandy chaos) of the season.
In 2025, Santa’s setting up shop across eight coastal spots nationwide—with Sydney sessions happening at Curl Curl, Bayview, Narrabeen, and Manly. Packages start from $89 for a five-minute session and include a set of professionally edited digital images that’ll make even your beach-hating relatives jealous.
Insider Intel:
- If you are an ex-pat fam wanting to send Christmas photos overseas, nothin screams Aussie Christmas more than this.
Santa In The Bush
Cowan | Weekends, Saturday 8 November—Sunday 30 November
Skip the crowded queues and head outdoors for Santa in the Bush, a relaxed family photoshoot set among Cowan’s gum trees. The setting is simple and unmistakably Australian—natural light, fresh air, and plenty of space for kids (and pets) to run around and be themselves.
Two packages are on offer: Bushland Bliss ($135) for a short, easy session with 5+ images, or the VIP Experience ($180) for extra time and 12+ photos. Both include professionally edited digital shots ready within days, making this one of Sydney’s most down-to-earth Christmas photo options.
Insider intel:
- The team runs shoots only a few weekends each year, so sessions book out quickly—especially for pet-friendly spots.
Top Ryde City
Corner Devlin Street & Blaxland Road, Ryde | Saturday 15 November—Wednesday 24 December
Head to Top Ryde City to snap a classic Christmas photo with Santa, right in the heart of the shopping centre. Sessions run from 15 November to 24 December on the Ground Level, with options for both walk-ins and pre-booked visits.
Sensitive Santa sessions are also available, offering a calm, low-stimulus environment designed for families with sensory needs.
Insider Intel:
- December slots fill fast, so booking ahead is your best bet—though you can still drop by for an impromptu visit if you’re feeling spontaneous.
The Best Santa Photos In The East
Santa By The Surf
North Bondi Surf Club & Watsons Bay Hotel | Saturday 6 December—Tuesday 23 December
Seems like there's no shortage of coastal photo-ops with Santa when you live near the beaches—Santa By The Surf is doing it all over again in Sydney's East.
A very jolly man in red boardies will be striking a pose at North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club across two weekends (6–7 and 13–14 December, 8am–12pm and 1pm–5pm), before wrapping things up at Watsons Bay Hotel on 22 and 23 December, 8am–12pm. Each Dasher Package ($62) includes a minimum of two high-res digital images, delivered straight to your inbox, and $1 from every booking goes toward One Wave Groms, supporting youth mental health through surfing.
Insider Intel:
- Santa’s not afraid of a little drizzle—sessions run rain, hail, or shine. If things get wild, the crew moves undercover.
Santa Pics Sydney: Double Bay
InterContinental Double Bay | Saturday 6 December
Image credit: Santa Pics Sydney | Instagram
Santa’s trading the North Pole for the Eastern Suburbs this year, setting up his Workshop Wonderland inside the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. Expect twinkling lights, toyshop props, and just enough festive flair to keep things fun without the frenzy.
Each booking includes a full digital gallery (minimum 25 edited images), so you can skip the awkward “choose your favourite three” moment and take home every smile, scream, and blink. In true ESP style, families are encouraged to coordinate outfits (think denim, navy, beige, or white)—and yes, pets are welcome too.
Sessions are pre-booked to keep things calm and queue-free, with the shoot running exclusively on Sunday 14 December 2025. The InterContinental’s bar and café are conveniently nearby for a pre-photo coffee or post-pic mimosa—because even Santa would approve.
Insider intel:
- Parking can be tricky in Double Bay, so arrive early and make a morning of it. Corporate and group bookings are also available—just email santapicssydney.coogee@gmail.com to arrange.
Santa By The Sea
South Maroubra Beach | Various dates in November and December
Celebrate Christmas the Sydney way with Santa by the Sea — beachside photos that give back to the community. Each session is $35 for ten digital images, with all proceeds supporting South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club’s IRB Team.
Bookings are recommended, but if you’re nearby, you might snag a last-minute slot.
Insider intel:
- You’ll find the setup at the south end near the rockpool. Parking’s limited, so aim to arrive early and make it easy on yourself.
The Best Santa Photos In The West
Rhodes Waterside
The Santa Express, Level 4, 1 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes | Dates TBC
If you're already headed this way for Ikea (Christmas-themed homewares, anyone?), then a quick snap at Rhodes Waterside will tick another task off your to-do list.
As per, there's family sessions, pet sessions and sensory-friendly sessions, so you're fully covered this December.
Insider intel:
- Slots start at $30.95, which is an absolute steal in our opinion.
Santa & Mrs Claus Experience
LC Photos, Ground Floor, Skiptons Arcade, 541 High Street Penrith | Saturday 18 October—Sunday 21 December
If Penrith is your local spot, LC Photos has a whole host of Santa's (and Grinch's) on loan—you can take your pick, and even bring in Mrs Claus for a couples shoot.
The studio is entirely Christmas themed, and you'll be greeted by a crew of elves on arrival—sessions are either 10, 20 or 30 minutes long, or you can opt for a sensitive 15 minute shoot.
Insider intel:
- Pets are welcome, and all kids will get to take home a Christmas gift.
The Best Santa Photos In The South
Revesby Workers Club
Brett Street Foyer, Revesby Workers Club | Wednesday 26 November—Wednesday 24 December
Revesby Workers Club is pulling out all the stops for locals this year, with a full set, professional photography, instant print photos, and pet-friendly options all on offer. Packages start at $35, and you can work your way up from there.
Insider Intel:
- The pet-friendly site is outdoors, so you won't be stressing about dirty paws.
South Village
580 Princes Highway, Kirrawee | Friday 28 November—Wednesday 24 December
Keeping the theme rolling across Sydney's South, South Village is hosting Santa photoshoots from the end of the month, stretching all the way through to Christmas Eve (if you find yourself overrun). Get a pic with Santa, or invite Mrs Claus in as well and make it a party.
Insider intel:
- Bookings start from $29, so your present budget won't take a hit.
Westfield Miranda
600 Kingsway, Miranda | Saturday 8 November—Wednesday 24 December
Image credit: Westfield | Supplied
Oh Westfield, we haven't forgotten you. Photo sessions kick off this weekend and run until the big day, so you have plenty of time to book in. Locations are all over Sydney, but Miranda has the Sutherland Shire sorted.
There'll be festive events and parades to celebrate his arrival, so try and lock in a visit for opening weekend.
Insider intel:
- Unique to Westfield is their Santa experiences tailored to the Deaf and hard of hearing community—so everyone has the opportunity to experience the magic.
Main image credit: The Grounds | Instagram
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