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 2026.
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.
As always, most venues confirm exact 2026 dates closer to November, so check the details below closer to the date if a session shows as TBC.
Jump to: Featured Locations | Santa at the Shops | Free Santa Photos | Professional & Outdoor Sessions | Sensitive Santa Sessions | Pet-Friendly Santa Photos
Featured Santa Photo Locations
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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 in the Hunter Valley, and also the Christmas winter wonderland sessions at Catherine Hill Bay in Lake Macquarie.
Dates: Saturday 1 November – Saturday 19 December 2026
Location: Catherine Hill Bay and Tocal Homestead
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 in December
Dates: To be confirmed
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: To be confirmed
Location: Event Marquee located near the food stalls, Hunter Valley Gardens
Website: Hunter Valley Gardens
The Levee, Maitland Santa Photos – FREE
Simply visit to The Riverlink at The Levee, Maitland during session times, scan the QR code and join the digital queue. Once you have provided your details you can explore The Levee and they will text you when it’s nearly your turn. These sessions are free of charge. Your photos will be emailed to you within three business days.
Dates: To be confirmed
Times: Sessions times are Thursdays 3pm to 7.30pm, Fridays and Saturdays 9am to 1.30pm.
Location: The Riverlink, The Levee Maitland
Website: The Levee
Wheeler Place
Over three weekends, starting at the end of November, Santa himself will be at Wheeler Place in Newcastle CBD to meet with families and be available for photos on Fridays from 5pm to 7pm and Sundays from 4pm to 6pm. Wheeler Place will be transformed into a festive space for the whole community. Snap a photo with Santa in his sleigh in front of the Christmas tree or let your pet take the reins for an adorable holiday paw-trait.
Dates: To be confirmed
Times: Fridays 5pm – 7pm & Sundays 4pm – 6pm
Location: Wheeler Place, Newcastle CBD
Website: City of Newcastle
Santa at the Shops
Charlestown Square – Santa typically arrives mid-November. Check the website for 2026 session times and bookings.
Stockland Green Hills – Santa photo sessions usually start in early November, with Paws and Claus and Sensitive Santa sessions also available. Bookings essential.
Westfield Kotara – A range of options including standard Santa photos, family and friends sessions, Sensitive Santa, AUSLAN Santa and pet photography.
Jesmond Central – Free festive photos usually run through December.
Lake Macquarie Square, Mt Hutton – Santa photo sessions typically start mid-November. Check the website for 2026 dates and booking details.
Free Santa Photos
Jesmond Central – See above. Free photos, typically through mid to late December.
Waratah Village – Free photo with Santa plus printed photos per family in past years. Bookings essential and sessions fill fast.
Professional & Outdoor Sessions
JadyBugs Santa on the Beach – Newcastle’s original Santa on the Beach, typically returning across locations including Blacksmiths, Catherine Hill Bay, Caves Beach (Hams Beach), Naru and Redhead. Pets welcome on leash at most locations.
Sandy Claus – Beach Santa sessions at Redhead and Merewether, plus Bush and Lake locations. Multiple Santas and The Grinch available in past years.
Minmi Santa Photos – The popular Minmi Santa returns most years, often paired with personalised bauble making.
Simon Gorges Photography Mini Christmas Sessions – A calm, home-based photography experience in Cardiff, recommended for neurodiverse families. Typically a short mini session with unlimited digital photos for a family group, styled with a Christmas tree and festive backdrop.
Sensitive Santa Sessions
Sensitive Santa sessions are designed for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory needs, usually with dimmed lights, reduced noise, smaller crowds and a slower pace. Several venues above run a dedicated session alongside their regular Santa photos, including Glendale City Centre, Stockland Green Hills and Westfield Kotara.
Simon Gorges Photography’s mini Christmas sessions in Cardiff are also worth considering here, as they’re run in a calm, home-based setting and have been recommended by a local neurodiverse family.
Check each venue closer to the date for confirmed 2026 Sensitive Santa times, as these sessions often book out quickly.
Pet-Friendly Santa Photos
PETQuarters – Santa typically visits PETQuarters locations including Belmont, Broadmeadow, Glendale and Morisset. Bring pets and family for photos and festive fun.
A number of venues above also welcome pets at dedicated sessions, including Glendale City Centre, The Levee Maitland, Wheeler Place and JadyBugs Santa on the Beach. Check individual venues for on-leash requirements and whether bookings are needed.
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.
Don’t miss any of the other festive fun happening across the region. Head to the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas for the full list, including Christmas events and Christmas markets.