Where to get Santa photos in Sydney 2021

The calendar may only just have ticked over to November, but members of the Inner West Mums community are already talking about where to book in Santa photos for this year.

And rightly so! The very popular Santa photos at The Grounds of Alexandria are already sold out. Bah humbug!

Photos with the Man in Red will no doubt be socially distanced again this year, but it can still be a magical experience. Here are some of the places hosting Santa for photos. Some of these come recommended by members of the IWM Facebook Group and others the IWM team have heard about. Given it’s only November, we’ll keep updating this list over the coming weeks. If you come across an excellent Santa photo set up or experience, email us at sarah@theinnerwestmums.com.au and we’ll add it to the list.

Revesby Workers Club

This comes highly recommended by IWM members. Santa will be seated in a sleigh, with the children in front for social distancing purposes. Quieter, sensory sessions can be booked too.

When: December 4 – 24
Where: 2B Brett Street, Revesby. Santa will be set up in the Brett Street foyer.
Details/to book: https://rwc.org.au/whats-on-event/photos-with-santa-2021/

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 be booked too.

When: November 13 – December 24. Bookings for November are open now. December bookings will open on Thursday November 18.
Where: Corner Devlin St & Blaxland Rd, Ryde. Santa will be located on the ground floor, near TK Maxx and Timezone.
Details/to book: https://www.christmasmemories.com.au/trc/?fbclid=IwAR0LdCWM9enXZ7VkawDMnwLJ5pDs04WXw4rVKB8pMMkAEXYWMPyoi2uz0oU

Santa In The Garden (pictured at top of page)

We love the sound of this one – Santa set amongst the gum trees in the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden. This is another recommendation from the IWM group. Three photos will be supplied on a USB, no printed photos are available.

When: November 13 – December 12
Where: Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420, St Ives.
Details/to book: https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Things-to-do/Whats-on/Santa-in-the-Garden

Santa’s Hideaway Bringelly

An IWM Member recommended this private photography studio experience at Lasting Memories Photography in Bringelly. There are four different backgrounds to choose from – some with Santa and some without. Sensitive Santa sessions are also available to book. All photos are supplied on a USB on the day for do-it-yourself printing.

When: Bookings are open now for November. December bookings open on November 22.
Where: 51 Dwyer Road, Bringelly
Details/to book: https://www.lastingmemoriesphotography.com.au/

Marrickville Metro

The Metro is promising something quite unique this Christmas – a Santa set made from recycled and upcycled materials, including last year’s Christmas decorations and reclaimed wood. Sensory sessions are available to book.

When: November 20 to December 19
Where: Smidmore Street, Marrickville. Santa is in the original Metro building, outside Cotton On.
Details/to book: https://www.marrickvillemetro.com.au/christmas/happy-christmas!

Leichhardt Marketplace

This one comes recommended by IWM members and the IWM team. The photographer works so hard to get a great result, which is not an easy task with little kids! Marketplace has confirmed last year’s Santa will be back in his red velvet lined seat.

When: From November 27
Where: Corner Marion and Flood Streets, Leichhardt
Details/to book: Bookings will open later in November via marketplaceleichhardt.com.au/

Tearooms at the QVB

This is a contentious one, with some IWM members loving the High Tea With Santa experience, which launched last year. And others concerned it would not be suitable for young children. But it is proving to be a popular option, with many of the dates already booked out. Guests can take their own photographs of Santa with the kids, or make use of a professional photographer. Sensory Santa sessions are available too.

When: Until December 24
Where: The Tea Room at the Queen Victoria Building
Details/to book: https://www.qvb.com.au/christmas/qvb-santa-experiences

Broadway Shopping Centre

Broadway has opted for a more traditional Christmas set this year, with Santa perched on, and surrounded by, oversized, brightly-wrapped gifts. Sensitive sessions are available to book.

When: From November 20 to December 24
Where: Bay Street, Ultimo. The Santa Set is on L1 outside Harvey Norman
Details/to book: https://www.broadwaysydney.com.au/christmas-2021