-A few places that appeared in my 2018 Santa Photos blog post (especially some smaller shopping centres) are not advertising anything this year yet. I will update this list as I find more options. Here are the confirmed options so far in alphabetical order:

1. Big W, nationwide* 7-8/11, except Bankstown, Campsie, Campbelltown, Carnes Hill, Liverpool, Merrylands, Narellan and Plumpton, where Santa will be visiting on 5-6/12, free 6×4″ photo. * Virtual photos only in Victoria.
2. Central Coast Santa, North Avoca Beach, weekends from 21/11-13/12, from $80. Something a little different than the traditional Santa photos, with no waiting in line for hours at stuffy shopping centres. All Central Coast Santa sessions are pre-booked, so just head down to the beach and create some lasting memories with family, friends and pets, in a relaxed and fun environment.
3. Christmas Mini Sessions, Artarmon, weekends from 14/11-13/12, $150. In these unprecedented times, Christmas 2020 will look slightly different. Traditional Santa photos won’t be the same, so they aim to provide you a safe way to celebrate and remember the festive season. They’ve taken the necessary steps to provide a COVID Safe studio space.
4. Christmas To You, virtual, from $19. Santa photos with a difference. Choose from three unique stories depending on the level of interaction you would like. Each experience is 100% LIVE and Santa will tailor the session to suit the response and engagement level of participants.
5. David Jones, CBD store only, 12/11-24/12, Magic Cave. Santa will also be wandering around all DJ stores, taking selfies and offering special inside information on how he travels around the world in one night. He will be practicing physical distancing using a special photo prop to ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone he meets this Christmas.
6. Dog Photog, Zetland, 14-15/11, dogs only! This years’ props were designed and produced in-house and feature sparkles & stripes with a retro twist. They provide options for dogs of all shapes and sizes so no one misses out.
7. The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria, 12-24/12, photo packages from $55. Santa will be visiting from 9am for COVID-Safe photos with the family, so make a booking and ho-ho-hop on down to The Grounds to be part of the fun. Their elves have been working hard to create a new photo installation for you to enjoy. This year has a bit of a twist, so stay tuned to see what they’ve prepared!
8. J Roberts Photography, Long Reef Beach, selected dates 22/11-21/12, $80. Have your kids photos with Santa with an Aussie feel. Their Santa will be set up at Long Reef Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for your family to come down and capture the essence of Christmas in Sydney. You will have the option of having santa stand behind the bench, or near the surf board at a safe distance, or if you wish to have photos with Santa on the bench he will wear a face mask.
9. Karen Allamby Photography, Kurnell, St Ives, Narrabeen and Junee), $79. They are unique locations -​the sessions are held at gorgeous locations (Kurnell, Narrabeen and Junee) that can include our furry family members and make this Christmas one to really remember! It’s less pressure than the Shopping Centre​ – normal Santa sessions can be very intense for young children and can lead to them not wanting anything to do with Santa! While this can still happen with us, the lack of noise and big crowd makes these sessions much more relaxed and enjoyable.
10. Let’s SEA Santa, Turimetta Beach (near Narrabeen), weekends from 14/11-13/12, $80. Let’s SEA Santa is a relaxed and fun alternative for your Santa photos. If you’re looking for something different to the standard mall photos, we’re a great option. We offer a relaxed 10 minute photo shoot where you get to be as creative as you like.
11. Macquarie Centre, 21/12-24/12, from $23.95. Inspired by a quintessentially Australian experience, Santa’s Secret Garden brings the outdoors inside with a one-of-a-kind and unique, living, breathing Christmas set. Made from native and drought tolerant plants, Santa’s Secret Garden takes visitors on a journey from the beach to the bush, encompassing a lush green set with tropical plants and coastal pathways for visitors to enjoy. Pass through multiple iconic Australian landscapes including a boardwalk and a glow worm cave before finally arriving to meet Santa.
12. Martinette, 10-13/12, from $285, there is no santa involved, but there are reindeers!
13. Menai Marketplace, 10/11-24/12, from $23.95. Dogs are welcome every Monday and Wednesday evening from 5.30pm to 8pm until 16th December. They also have a Augmented Reality Experience outside Big W. There is a Magical Christmas Tree with some hidden surprises in our centre to fill your social feed with Christmas cheer. Follow the instructions to see the picture come alive.
14. Myer, all locations, 20/11-24/12, prices start at $26.50 for a twin pack of two (15x20cm) Santa Prints or Green Screen* prints. CBD stores also includes a trip on the Santaland Express train on your visit to Santa. Each 10 minute Santaland booking includes a personal one on one experience for you and your family. Meet Santa and his Elves, and get your 2020 Christmas photos taken.
15. Naomi Reiter Photography, Roseville, 21-22/11, $150. Travel anywhere you like this Christmas in our special Snow Dome! No border restrictions, no shopping centre madness, no queues and no Santa. Just your beautiful family, even bring your pets if you wish! Choose from four wonderful destinations: 1. Relax on a beach holiday with a few special native Aussies, 2. Take a stellar adventure to a far flung galaxy…but don’t crash into the moon, 3. Lose yourselves in the magic and be enchanted under the Christmas lights and 4. Cozy up on the mantelpiece next to a crackling fire…beware of the Naughty Elf! PS – there is no Santa, unless you take your own!
16. QVB, CBD, 13/11-24/12, $55 for high tea and photos. Santa and a team of helpers will be ready to welcome you, where you’re invited to capture your own photos, as well as have a professional photographer capture a family photo with Santa at his throne.
17. The Real Virtual Santa, 13/11-23/12, from $15 plus GST. Meet Santa on your phone, tablet, laptop or even your Smart TV – The Real Virtual Santa can magically appear on any smart device! Live Streaming videos with Santa, Live Phone call from Santa or Pre-Recorded Santa video messages from Santa. You can make it personal, make it a surprise even, for individuals up to large groups.
18. Revesby Worker’s Club, Revesby, 28/11-24/12, photo packages from $33. Featuring a new Santa Set with Sleigh and Reindeer, to maintain distance between Santa and families (pictured above).
19. Roselands, until 24/12, from $23.95. Santa’s not cancelled! With new protective measures in place, you and your family will be able to enjoy a magical Christmas experience and have your photos taken with Santa. There is also a virtual Santa! Explore the magic of Santa on your next visit to the centre, as he comes to life straight from your phone! Get your selfie simply by scanning a QR code and Virtual Santa will pop up right next to you!
20. Santa at the Summit, Sydney Harbour Bridge, 29/11-20/12, from $248 for adults and $126 for children, meet Santa on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a one-of-a-kind Aussie Santa photo with your family this Christmas.
21. Rouse Hill Town Centre, 12/11-24/12, from $23.95. Due to social distancing kids and families won’t be able to share a chair with Santa this year, but don’t worry, we’ve come up with creative ideas that will make the experience and photo as magical as ever!
22. Santa Beach Santa, Freshwater Beach, selected dates from 21/11-19/12, $80. At Sydney Beach Santa, they do things a little differently so there will be no long cues to visit Santa. All Santa photos are pre-booked, so you can head down and make some lasting memories with all your favourite people and furry friends.
23. Santa by the Surf, North Bondi 6, 19 and 20/12 and Bronte 12, 17 and 18/12, $49. Santa family Christmas photos at two of Australia’s most iconic beaches. Pet friendly – furry family members welcome. Support your community and local surf clubs. Come and enjoy the sun, sand, surf and Santa!
24. Santa Haus, Tuggerah, from 31/10-/12, from $80. They offer new Christmas themes for their photos every year, whilst keeping our very special Santa, Roy. Watch your family grow up with the same Santa year after year and create memories that will last a lifetime.
25. Santa in the Gardens, Ku-Ring-Gai Wildflower Garden in St Ives, selected dates from 14/11-2/12, $80. Santa is coming to the Wildflower Garden this year for a unique outdoor photo opportunity.
26. Santa on the Beach, Bayview, Mosman, Clontarf and Narrabeen Beach, selected dates from 15/11-13/12, $75. Celebrate the end of 2020 with a fun, memorable Christmas photo that you’ll actually want to keep. Santa on the Beach Sydney provides family and dog-friendly (except Narrabeen location) Christmas photos on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and North Shore. This year, they have time slots both WITH Santa and WITHOUT Santa, for those who’d prefer a Christmas-themed photo minus the big guy in red.
27. Top Ryde Centre, 14/11-24/12, from $25. Visit Santa, have a photo and capture a special memento of Christmas 2020. The health and wellbeing of Santa, his elves and all the families who visit is our highest priority. We have introduced several initiatives to keep everyone safe. 
28. Westfield, all locations, 7/11-24/12, photo packages from $23.95. After a year like no other, we could all use another reason to smile – and a photo with Santa is the perfect opportunity. While things will be a little different in our Santa photography sessions this year, our team will be working hard to make sure the moment is as magical as ever.
29. Winston Hills Mall, from $27. Although COVID is making things a little bit different this year, Santa Claus is still going to be at Winston Hills Mall this year for your annual Santa portrait.

All options are subject to availability and many dates are sold out already. Bookings are highly recommended. Please check each venue for any covid-safe requirements.