The Ultimate Guide to Santa Photos in Sydney 2025
🎄 Where to go for the best Santa Photos in 2025 🎄
On the hunt for the perfect Santa snap this Christmas? Whether your kids are bouncing with excitement or giving Santa the ultimate side-eye, scoring the right spot can feel trickier than getting through December without losing the sticky tape.
That’s why we’ve done the legwork. From big-ticket city landmarks to local gems, beachside shoots to sensory-friendly sessions, here’s your ultimate guide to Santa photos across Sydney in 2025.
Think twinkly lights, festive backdrops, and plenty of chances to snag a frame-worthy pic (with or without tears).
Got a hidden gem we’ve missed? Send it our way at info@theinnerwestmums.com.au and we’ll spread the cheer.
Inner West, Inner City & Sydney CBD
🎅 The Grounds of Alexandria
Santa’s coming to The Grounds of Alexandria, and he’s bringing a whole lot of pink cheer! Forget the classic red—our elves have been busy decking the halls with a rosy new twist that’s anything but traditional. And guess what? Even your furry friends can join in on the festive fun! With spots filling faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve, pre-booking is a must! Don’t miss your chance to make merry in the most magical (and very pink!) holiday setting around.
When: Booking open 27 October until 17 December
Where: 2 Huntley St, Alexandria
Cost: From $50
Details/to book: Grounds of Alexandria
🎅QVB High Tea with Santa
Sydney’s grand old dame – the Queen Victoria Building – certainly knows how to dial-up the festive spirit. There’s the stunning QVB Christmas Tree – this year’s decorations are courtesy of indigenous artists (read all about it here), not to mention an indulgent high tea at the QVB Tea Rooms complete with Santa himself. A preschool-aged daughter of the Inner West Mums’ team attended the Santa High Tea last year and still raves about it! It’s that special. Looking for more high tea destinations in Sydney – check out our guide to Sydney high tea experiences here.
When: Friday 21 November to Wednesday 24 December 2025. Bookings open 2 October.
Where: The Tea Room at the Queen Victoria Building
Cost: From $65, children 1-12 years. $105, 13 years – adult. Take your own photos or use the services of the on-site photographer. Two digital images are included in the price.
Details/to book: QVB Tea Room High Tea with Santa
🎅 Santa at the Summit … of the Harbour Bridge!
Want to combine your Santa pics with stunning views from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Book in for a Bridge Climb and get a photo with Santa at the top. If you’ve got older kids, this might be a way to convince them to pose for a Santa photo one last time – not to mention an amazing family experience too.
When: 2 November to 21 December 2025.
Where: 3 Cumberland St, The Rocks
Cost: Climb prices start at $344 for adults and $149 for children – but prices can vary depending on date and time.
Details/to book: Bridge Climb
🎅 Santa Photos at David Jones
At Sydney’s heritage department store, David Jones at Elizabeth St, Santa will once again making a special appearance this year in a gorgeously themed studio where you and the family can enjoy a magical photo experience. There’ll also be Santa Pawtraits for furry family members and Sensitive Santa sessions available.
When: From November 6 until December 24
Where: 86/108 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000
Cost: Packages start from $49.95
Details/to book: Bookings opening soon – watch this space
🎅 Broadway Shopping Centre
Broadway Shopping Centre has become known for its colourful Christmas themed decorations and this year will be no expectation. Whilst dates have not yet been confirmed, we expect photo sessions will be available from November onwards. As with previous years, sensory-friendly sessions will also be available and little ones will love the revamped playground on Level 3.
When: From November onwards
Where: Bay Street, Ultimo. Santa studio location TBC.
Cost: From $24.95
Details/to book: TBC – watch this space
🎅 Santaland at Myer George St and Myer locations across NSW
Hop on the Wonderland Rocket elevator and head straight to Wonderland on level 6 which has been transformed into Santaland for the festive season. Kids will love the Myer North Pole train where they can take some fun photos in front of the green screen. There’ll also be a colouring-in station, post a letter to Santa, and of course, meeting the big man himself for a magical family Christmas photo.
Tip: Avoid wearing green if you want to get some great green screen photos.
Plus, selected Myer stores across NSW will also be offering families the chance to take a snap with the jolly red man, including pet and sensory friendly sessions.
When: From November onwards, dates to be announced
Where: 436 George St. Sydney
Cost: From $25.95
Details/to book: TBC – watch this space
🎅 Marrickville Metro
Last year, Santa was be seated on a throne outside Panetta Mercato on the ground floor of the new building in Marrickville Metro – and whilst we don’t know exactly where Saint Nick will be popping up this year, we know he’ll be as jolly as he was in previous years. Sensitive Santa sessions will also be available and fur babies are also welcome to get their snaps. Dates to be confirmed – watch this space!
When: From November onwards, dates TBC
Where: Smidmore Street, Marrickville.
Cost: From $24.95
Details/to book: TBC – watch this space
North, North-West & Northern Beaches
🎅 Santa in the Gardens at St Ives
Santa set amongst the gum trees in the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, this Santa Photo experience can’t get more quintessentially Aussie – but with a 45 minute drive to get there, it can be a bit of a trek for most Inner Westies. So pack a picnic and have a wander through the gardens to make the most of your visit and the kids will want to go every year. In fact, a member of the IWM team had her family’s Santa photos taken at the Gardens one year and in spite of the torrential rain, she was happy with both the experience and photos.
When: From November to December, dates to be announced
Where: Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives.
Cost: $80 for three high resolution images
Details/to book: TBC – watch this space
🎅 Aussie Santa Photos (Long Reef Beach)
Capture Santa by the sea with relaxed afternoon sessions at Long Reef. Expect a fun, laid-back vibe, plenty of sand and surf, and a set of beautifully edited high-res images to treasure.
When: Selected November & December afternoons
Where: Long Reef Beach, Northern Beaches
Cost: From $85 for a 5-minute session including 3 edited images
Details / to book: jrobertsphotography.com.au
🎅 Santa in the Bush
Set in the natural surrounds of Cowan, this outdoor Santa experience offers a relaxed, uniquely Australian backdrop. Sessions are designed to be stress-free, fun and family-friendly, with professionally edited images included in every package.
When: 8–9 November, then 15–16 November, 29–30 November 2025
Where: Cowan (exact location revealed upon booking)
Cost: Bushland Bliss Package: $135 (5+ images). VIP Experience: $180 (12+ images)
Details / to book: Santa in the Bush
🎅Top Ryde City
This is another popular one with IWM members, with one parent sharing that Santa even remembered her child’s name from the year before! How lovely is that! Sensory Santa sessions can also be booked.
When: From November onwards, dates to be announced
Where: Corner Devlin St & Blaxland Rd, Ryde.
Cost: Packages start at $25
Details/to book: TBC – watch this space
🎅 Santa On The Beach Pics
Looking for a fun, classic Australian Christmas photo that the whole family (including the dog) will love? You’ve found it! With Santa on the Beach Pics, you’ll say goodbye to the tears and tantrums while lining up to see Santa at your local shopping centre. We’re here to snap some fun, dog-friendly family photos that reflect a true Aussie Christmas – complete with sun, sand and surf! In 2024, we are celebrating 7 years of taking the most authentic, family-friendly Christmas photos on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and beyond.
When: Bookings open Friday 3 October.
Where: Northern Beaches – Curl Curl, Narrabeen, Bayview and Manly.
Cost: From $89 for 5 minutes, $199 for 10 minutes at Q Station Manly
Details/to book: Santa on the Beach Pics
🎄 Western Sydney
🎅 Rhodes Waterside
If you love your Santa Phots with a spot of Ikea shopping thrown in, Rhodes Waterside is the destination for you (and the family). To keep the kids entertained post-pics (because we know a ‘quick stop’ at Ikea is never quick), Australia’s first Virtual Sleigh Ride (exclusive to Rhodes Waterside) will be available from December 10. Santa has a new sleigh and for a gold coin donation, your little ones will get to trial it and experience Christmas magic like never before.
When: From November to December, dates to be announced
Where: The Santa Express, Level 4, 1 Rider Blvd, Rhodes
Cost: Packages start at $30.95
Details/to book: TBC watch this space
🎅 Santa & Mrs Claus Experience with LC Photo
Who said Christmas photos were all about Santa? At LC Photo’s Penrith studio you can select from having your photo taken with Santa, Santa and Mrs Claus or even two Santas! At this fully Christmas themed studio, kids will be greeted by the elves or Mrs Claus herself on arrival and will get to take a Christmas gift home (depending on whether they were on the naughty or nice list – just kidding, whilst stocks last!).
Families will receive ALL the professionally edited digital images from each session (they don’t make you choose or limit how many you get!), provided via our private download gallery platform (usually 7-10 days after your session). Sessions are generally 10, 20 or 30 minutes long to cater to different families and groups and they also offer express 5 minute sessions for those that just want a couple of photos (popular with newborns and families with teenagers!). Plus, sensitive sessions are available for families with children on the spectrum or with extra sensory needs – and pets are welcome too.
When: October 18 to December 21, 2025
Where: Ground Floor, Skiptons Arcade, 541 High Street Penrith
Cost: From $90
Details/to book: https://www.lcphoto.com.au/christmas/
🎄 Eastern Suburbs
🎅 Santa By The Surf
If you’re keen on a Santa beach photo experience, Santa By the Surf – the Eastern Suburb’s answer to the Northern Beaches’ Santa By the Beach – could be the surf-side photo shoot you’re looking for. Located at three iconic beaches – Bondi, Bronte and Watson’s Bay – bring the whole family (pets too) and don’t forget to pack some swimmers too!
When: Bookings opening soon.
Where: North Bondi Surf Club, Bronte Surf Club, Watsons Bay Hotel
Cost: Packages from $57 for 2 photos photos with Santa
Details/to book: TBC – watch this space
🎄 South-West
🎅 Revesby Workers Club
This has come highly recommended by IWM members in previous years. Quieter, sensory sessions can be booked too. Plus an outdoor Santa set will be located outside the Brett Street Foyer for fur-baby photos.
- When: 2 December – 24 December (tentative)
- Where: Brett Street foyer, Revesby Workers Club
- Cost: Packages from ~$35
- More info or to book: Revesby Workers Club
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