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The Best Santa Photos in Melbourne for Christmas 2026
From a train to the North Pole to Santa's snow-covered sleigh, these are Melbourne's best spots for a Christmas photograph worth keeping.
The best Santa photos in Melbourne for Christmas 2026 include Myer Santaland in the CBD, Highpoint’s World of Wondermas in Maribyrnong and Crown’s free Santa visits in Southbank. At Chadstone, families pose in Santa’s sleigh, while True Fairies in Bayswater North welcomes pets. Every December, parents dress their children in their Christmas best and place an extraordinary amount of faith in a man with a white beard. The resulting photographs are either beautiful or destined for family folklore.
In This Guide
Best Santa Photos in the Melbourne CBD
Myer Santaland
There are Santa photos, and then there’s the annual pilgrimage to Myer Santaland. Seven floors above Bourke Street, the Santaland Express whisks little passengers towards the North Pole, where Christmas letters are posted, colouring pencils are deployed and Santa awaits his annual interrogation. The resulting portrait might feature radiant smiles or spectacular tears; either way, it’s one for the family archives.
Sitchu Tip: Make an afternoon of it with the famous Christmas windows downstairs. After 71 years, Melbourne’s festive traditions are still going strong.
Where: Myer Melbourne, Level 7, 314–336 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
When: 7 November to 24 December 2026
Cost: Free entry; professional photo packages cost extra
Best For: Families, Christmas traditions, Santa photography, kids
Need To Know: Book online in advance. Sensory Santa, Baby’s First Christmas and Santa Paws sessions are available on selected dates.
David Jones Santa Photos
At David Jones, even the dog can make the Christmas card. Santa Pawtraits invite the family’s most photogenic (or spectacularly uncooperative) member to pose beside the man in red, while traditional sessions deliver the classic department-store portrait. There’s something lovely about the old-school ritual: a trip into Bourke Street, children in their Christmas clothes and a photograph the grandparents will inevitably request in triplicate. Sensitive Santa appointments are also available for children who need a gentler introduction to the festive proceedings.
Sitchu Tip: David Jones and Myer sit side by side on Bourke Street, so if one is booked out, check the other before you leave the city.
Where: David Jones, Melbourne CBD
When: Saturday 7 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
Cost: From $30.85
Best For: Families, Kids, Dog-friendly, Festival season
Need To Know: Bookings essential. Choose from standard sessions, Sensitive Santa and Santa Pawtraits for pets.
Free Santa Photos at Crown Melbourne
The Christmas miracle at Crown Melbourne? A Santa photograph that doesn’t cost a cent. From December, the man in red takes up residence in the Atrium, where a festive Ferris wheel provides the Christmas spectacle. Bring your phone, enlist one of Santa’s elves for the family portrait and put the money saved towards something else. No bookings, no expensive photo packages. If bedtime permits, the Yarra’s free Christmas River Show delivers fountains, lasers and festive music after dark. Two Christmas outings, zero dollars.
Where: The Atrium, Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
When: 1 to 24 December 2026; 11am to 5pm (1 to 14 December), 11am to 7pm (15 to 24 December)
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Santa photography, Free activities, Christmas activities
Need To Know: No bookings required. Bring your own phone or camera. Santa takes scheduled breaks throughout the day. The free Christmas River Show runs 4 to 25 December, from 9pm.
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Chadstone Santa Photography
At Chadstone, even the reindeer have speaking parts. Falling snow, a giant Christmas tree and red velvet doors set the scene for ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, where families pile into Santa’s sleigh for their portrait. The $55 booking covers up to six people and, importantly, a gallery of at least five digital photographs. Five chances to catch the youngest family member smiling, or Dad with his eyes open.
Where: Lower Ground Level, outside Target, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Malvern East
When: 4 November to 24 December 2026
Cost: $55 per booking (up to six people)
Best For: Families, Santa photography, Christmas activities, kids
Need To Know: Online bookings require free Chadstone First membership. Regular and Sensitive Santa sessions are currently booked out; check the website for cancellations.
Highpoint’s World of Wondermas
At Highpoint, Christmas has taken over the entire shopping centre. Its World of Wondermas stretches from a giant Christmas tree and an Archway of Wonder to a snowglobe and interactive Santa set, where the annual family portrait awaits. Dogs and camera-shy little ones have dedicated sessions, too. But here’s the real Christmas cracker: have your Santa photo taken by 4 December and you could win a $10,000 travel voucher. Imagine the family photo paying for the next family holiday.
Where: Highpoint Shopping Centre, Level 2 near Kmart, 120–200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong
When: 7 November to 24 December 2026
Cost: Photo package prices available when booking; Christmas displays are free to explore
Best For: Families, Santa photography, Christmas activities, Pet-friendly activities
Need To Know: Book online for traditional, pet or Sensitive Santa sessions. The $10,000 travel voucher competition closes 4 December; terms and conditions apply.
Best Neighbourhood and Boutique Santa Photos in Melbourne
Kew Court House Santa Photos
Santa has been summoned to Kew Court House, and the evidence will be photographic. For $25, families receive a professional portrait, printed on the spot with a digital copy to match. Dogs are welcome too, assuming they can behave before the camera. Beyond the courthouse, Kew Junction is making a weekend of it, with roaming jazz musicians playing Christmas carols, a festive shopfront hunt and free bauble decorating on Saturday. There’s even a personalised Christmas keyring for an extra $5.
Where: Kew Court House, 188 High Street, Kew
When: 12 to 13 December 2026, 10am to 3pm
Cost: $25 per family; $30 with personalised keyring
Best For: Families, Santa photography, Pet-friendly activities, Christmas activities
Need To Know: Book ahead. Quieter sessions for neurodivergent and anxious children run 10am to 11am both days. Dogs are welcome at standard sessions only.
True Fairies Santa Photography
A chicken and a bearded dragon have previously made the Christmas guest list at True Fairies, so your Labrador should be in good company. Inside a transformed Bayswater North warehouse, Santa Natale presides over a snowy Christmas set, with photographer Jason East capturing everything from traditional portraits to gloriously silly group shots. Up to eight people (and their pets) can join the festivities, with multiple poses available. Afterwards, there’s a Christmas-themed milkshake waiting at the bar. Even the family Scrooge might crack a smile.
Where: Curious Events Co, Unit 26/200 Canterbury Road, Bayswater North
When: Selected dates throughout Christmas 2026; see booking calendar
Cost: From $75 for one digital photo; $130 for three; $180 for five
Best For: Families, Santa photography, Pet-friendly activities, Christmas activities
Need To Know: Santa Natale sessions are taking bookings. The original Real Santa is sold out for 2026; email events@truefairies.com to enquire about cancellations. Access the venue car park via Bayfield Road East.
Santa Photos in Melbourne: FAQs
The best places for Santa photos in Melbourne in 2026 include Myer Santaland on Bourke Street, where the Santaland Express takes children to the North Pole, and David Jones next door, which also offers pet portraits. Highpoint in Maribyrnong has its World of Wondermas set, Chadstone in Malvern East stages family portraits in Santa’s sleigh, and Crown Melbourne in Southbank offers free photos with Santa in the Atrium. For something more personal, True Fairies in Bayswater North and Kew Court House both welcome pets.
Crown Melbourne offers free Santa photos in its Southbank Atrium from 1 to 24 December 2026, with no bookings required. Santa is available from 11am to 5pm until 14 December, then until 7pm from 15 December, and visitors take photos on their own phone or camera, with help from one of Santa’s elves. Entry to Myer Santaland on Bourke Street is also free, though professional photo packages cost extra. For an affordable alternative, Kew Court House offers a printed portrait and digital copy for $25 per family on 12 and 13 December.
Several Melbourne venues offer quieter Santa sessions for children with sensory needs in 2026. Myer Santaland runs Sensory Santa sessions on selected dates, while David Jones and Highpoint in Maribyrnong both offer bookable Sensitive Santa appointments. Kew Court House holds quieter sessions for neurodivergent and anxious children from 10am to 11am on 12 and 13 December, with portraits from $25 per family. Chadstone also offers Sensitive Santa, although sessions are currently booked out, so check its website for released cancellations. Booking ahead is recommended at every venue.
Several Melbourne Santa photo spots welcome dogs in 2026. David Jones on Bourke Street runs Santa Pawtraits, Myer Santaland offers Santa Paws sessions on selected dates, and Highpoint in Maribyrnong has dedicated pet sessions. Kew Court House welcomes dogs at its standard sessions on 12 and 13 December, with portraits from $25 per family. For something different, True Fairies in Bayswater North photographs up to eight people and their pets on a snowy Christmas set, with packages from $75 and a chicken and bearded dragon among past guests.
Santa photos in Melbourne start from Wednesday 4 November 2026 at Chadstone, followed by Myer Santaland, David Jones and Highpoint’s World of Wondermas from Saturday 7 November. Crown Melbourne’s free Santa photos begin on Tuesday 1 December in the Southbank Atrium, while Kew Court House holds its sessions over the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December. Most Santa photo experiences run until Christmas Eve, Thursday 24 December. Popular sessions book out quickly, so it’s worth reserving early, particularly for weekend, pet and Sensitive Santa appointments.
Santa photos sorted, Christmas cards practically written. Now for the rest of the festive fun. From twinkling stalls and last-minute gift hunting to the city’s biggest seasonal celebrations, explore our guide to the best Christmas markets in Melbourne and keep the calendar full with our monthly guide to what’s on in Melbourne. Christmas comes but once a year. Best make an occasion of it.
