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.
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
These businesses support Newy with Kids and we thank them for it. Be sure to tell them you found them here.
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.
This year, there’s special My First Christmas Sessions. Celebrate your baby’s first Christmas at Glendale with an extended 10-minute photo session and a beautiful keepsake print package! Plus, enjoy a BONUS 6×8 print, greeting cards, gift tags and digital downloads to share the magic with the whole family!
Dates: Friday 27 November – Wednesday 24 December 2026
Location: Located inside Event Cinemas.
Website: Glendale City Centre
Charlestown Square
Head to Charlestown Square for your Christmas photos. Santa photos will be available from Saturday 14 November through to Christmas Eve. There are traditional Santa photo sessions, Sensitive Santa sessions for families who prefer a quieter experience, and pet photography sessions so four-legged family members can join in too.
There’s also an extra incentive to book early! Families who book and have their Santa photo taken by 4 December will go in the draw to win a $10,000 travel voucher. Terms and conditions apply.
Dates: Saturday 14 November to Thursday 24 December
Location: located in Centre Court on Level 1
Website: Charlestown Square
The Levee, Maitland Santa Photos – FREE
Visit Santa at The Levee in Maitland this Christmas and get a free digital Santa photo! For 2026, Santa has moved to a new indoor location at Maitland Central, opposite ALDI and the children’s play equipment.
Families can enjoy free Santa photos on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday afternoons. There’s no need to book for free sessions, but you’ll need to join a digital queue using a QR code when you arrive.
If you prefer a guaranteed time slot, Saturday morning sessions are available for $15. There are also special pet-friendly Santa photo sessions on 9 and 16 December for $15, with bookings essential.
Dates: Thursday 26 November – Saturday 19 December 2026
Times:
- Thursdays: 3 – 7.30pm (free)
- Fridays: 9am – 1.30pm (free)
- Saturdays: 9 – 11am ($15, bookings required) and 11.30am – 2.30pm (free)
- Pet photos: Wednesday 9 & 16 December, 3 – 7.30pm ($15, bookings required)
Cost: Free sessions available; booked sessions $15
Location: Maitland Central
Website: The Levee
Wheeler Place
Over four Fridays, 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. 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: 27 November – 18 December 2026
Times: Fridays 5pm – 7pm
Location: Wheeler Place, Newcastle CBD
Website: City of Newcastle
Santa at the Shops
Charlestown Square – Head to Charlestown Square for your Christmas photos. Santa photos will be available from Saturday 14 November through to Christmas Eve. There are traditional Santa photo sessions, Sensitive Santa sessions for families who prefer a quieter experience, and pet photography sessions so four-legged family members can join in too.
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.