The annual Santa photo is a tradition for many local families. Here are details on where to find Santa and Christmas photo sessions around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter for Christmas 2025. There are also Sensitive Santa photo sessions as well as Santa Pet photos and AUSLAN Santa sessions. As well as paid Santa photos, there’s also free Santa family photos available as well as Selfies with Santa.
Featured listings are posted at the top. We thank these businesses for their support of Newy with Kids. Be sure to tell them you found them in the Newy with Kids Christmas Photos Guide.
Natural Lights Photography Christmas Photos
Start planning your family Christmas photos! Natural Lights Photography are dedicated to creating timeless and beautiful images that capture life’s special moments and offer family Christmas photos at local iconic locations. There’s Santa in the Park sessions at Tocal Homestead and Morpeth Common in the Hunter Valley, and also the Christmas winter wonderland sessions at Catherine Hill Bay in Lake Macquarie.
Dates: Saturday 1 November – Sunday 14 December 2025
Location: Catherine Hill Bay, Tocal Homestead and Morpeth Common
Website: Natural Lights Photography
Glendale City Centre
Join Glendale City Centre for a special holiday experience! Bring your family and friends to meet Santa Claus and create unforgettable memories with their professional photo sessions. Get a family photo with Santa at Glendale City Centre. There’s regular sessions, three Santa Pet Photography sessions, plus a Sensitive Santa Session on Wednesday 3 December.
Dates: Friday 28 November – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Location: Located inside Event Cinemas.
Website: Glendale City Centre
Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
You can get your photos taken with Santa at Hunter Valley Gardens. Santa photos are available from 5:30pm – 10pm every night until Christmas Eve at the event marquee located near the food stalls. Santa photos cannot be pre-booked. but HVG recommend arriving early when there is minimal wait. Photos will be emailed to your designated email addresses or uploaded to Facebook.
Dates: Friday 7 November – Friday 26 December 2025
Location: Event Marquee located near the food stalls, Hunter Valley Gardens
Website: Hunter Valley Gardens
Additional Options
Charlestown Square
Capture the magic of Christmas at Charlestown Square. Celebrate the magic of the season and capture unforgettable moments with Santa! Whether it’s a cherished family tradition or a fun memory with friends, our Santa Photo Sessions are the perfect way to capture the JOY this Christmas. Santa will be at Charlestown Square from Saturday 15th November 2025. For more information, visit the Charlestown Square website.
JadyBugs Santa on the Beach
Have your photo taken with an Aussie beach Santa. Newcastle’s original Santa on the Beach is back in 2025 with five different locations to choose from – Blacksmiths, Catherine Hill Bay, Caves Beach (Hams Beach), Naru and Redhead. Pets are welcome, on leash, at Blacksmiths, Naru, Catherine Hill Bay and Hams Beach to be a part of the family photograph. For more information visit the JadyBugs website.
Minmi Santa Photos
Get a photo taken with the popular Minmi Santa. In 2025, the children will get to meet Santa plus there will be personalised bauble making. For more information visit the Minmi Santa Facebook page.
Sandy Claus
Sandy Claus are at Redhead and Merewether again in 2025 as well as their Bush and Lake locations. Sandy Claus have three Santas and The Grinch to choose from. For more information, visit the Photos with Sandy Claus website.
Stockland Green Hills
Make Christmas a holiday with family Santa photos at Stockland Green Hills! Don’t miss the magical photo experience at the enchanting Christmas photography set from Thursday 6 November 2025. Paws and Claus and Sensitive Santa sessions also available! Bookings are essential for all Santa photography sessions, including Paws and Claus and Sensitive Santa. For more information visit the Stockland Green Hills website.
Waratah Village – FREE
Waratah Village is excited to bring Santa and his helpers to meet and greet you this Christmas. Come and get a free photo with Santa and receive four (4) 8″ x 6″ prints per family. Session dates are from Monday 15 December – Monday 22 December 2025. Bookings are essential. Make sure you get in early. Booking form on the Waratah Village website.
Westfield Kotara
Create a Christmas memory and book your photo with Santa at Westfield Kotara. There is a range of options to suit your family, including Santa Photos, Family and Friends Sessions, Sensitive Santa, Auslan Santa and pet photography. For more information visit the Westfield Kotara website.
Feature photo credit: Natural Lights Photography
If you want to be included as a Featured Listing on the Christmas & Santa Photo guide, get in touch.
🎄 🎅🏼 Make sure that you don’t miss any of the other fun and family-friendly Christmas events and activities in Newcastle and the Hunter, visit the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas.