The Best Santa Photos in Sydney 2026

Sydney's best Santa photos include magical high tea experiences, bushland backdrops and seaside snaps.

Santa handing a child a Christmas bauble on the beach
Santa by the Beach

The best Santa photos in Sydney offer something extra, like the whimsical high tea experience at The Tea Room QVB, beachside snaps with Santa on the Beach and the iconic gum-tree backdrop of Santa in the Bush.

Traditions are few and far between these days, but one that endures for many families is the Santa photo. Looking back on a glorious archive of Santa photos is a special kind of trip down memory lane and an annual record treasured by grandparents, parents and Christmas card recipients the world over. Make this year’s snap even more joyful with one of the best Santa photos in Sydney.

Best High Tea and Indoor Santa Experiences in Sydney


A family having high tea with Santa at The Tea Room QVB in Sydney
The Tea Room QVB

High Tea With Santa at The Tea Room QVB

Perhaps the most magical Christmas tradition in Sydney, The Tea Room QVB is back again this year with their high tea with Santa experience. Feast on Christmas-inspired pastries and sweet scones before a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus. Christmas-themed colouring mats are provided for all the little ones in attendance. The backdrop of the historical ballroom? Infinitely magical.

Where: QVB, CBD
When: Thursday 19 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
Cost: $70 per child, $120 per adult (13 and above)
Best For: Kids, Families, Visitors
Need To Know: High Tea with Santa is strictly by booking only.

A teal and silver Santa photo backdrop at the Grounds of Alexandria
The Grounds of Alexandria

The Grounds of Alexandria

For those looking for something a little less traditional, The Grounds of Alexandria have settled on a peppermint and silver colourway this year. Even Santa’s suit has undergone a makeover with a mint green take. All bookings include a five-minute chinwag with Santa to ensure wish lists are handed over, one 6×8″ printed photo and three individual digital downloads.

Where: Grounds of Alexandria
When: Daily, from Friday 16 October to Thursday 24 December 2026
Cost: $70 + booking fees
Best For: Families, Kids, Locals
Need To Know: Maximum 6 people per session.

Best Outdoor and Unique Santa Photos in Sydney


A family posing with Santa at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
BridgeClimb Sydney

BridgeClimb Sydney

Uniquely Sydney, this Santa photo is something special. Throughout November and December, on Sunday morning climbs before 11am, BridgeClimb Sydney is offering a chance to snap a family Chrissie photo with Santa on the summit of Sydney Harbour Bridge. A complimentary Santa bridge climb hat sweetens the deal and completes the look.

Where: Eora Country, 3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
When: Sunday mornings, 1 November to 20 December 2026
Cost: From $258 per adult
Best For: Families, Visitors, Unique experiences
Need To Know: BridgeClimb is an all-weather experience, however please be advised that Santa’s Summit appearance may be cancelled in cases of extreme rain, wind or heat.

Santa next to a log cabin in the Sydney bush

Santa in the Bush

Whilst dustings of snow and bedazzled reindeer are Christmas icons, here in Sydney, the reality is a little different. Bushland Workshop leans into the quintessential Australian setting with a bushland backdrop. There are still baubles and presents, wreaths and red trim, but there are also gum trees and a laid-back atmosphere. This is a great one for families who struggle with the overstimulation that can come with shopping centre settings.

Where: Upper North Shore
When: Saturday 7 November to Sunday 8 November & Saturday 14 November to Sunday 15 November 2026
Cost: From $145 per group
Best For: Families, Kids, Locals
Need To Know: If there are more than 9 people, you will need to book 2 x 10-minute sessions to ensure everyone is included in the experience.

Best Santa Photos by the Beach in Sydney


A family getting a Santa photo at the beach in Newport

Santa on the Beach

For many Sydneysiders, Christmas is synonymous with the days spent by the beach, so why not capture your special memories there too? Santa on the Beach are running a number of sessions throughout November and December across some of Sydney’s most iconic beaches. They’ll be covering South Curl Curl Beach, Bayview Dog Park, Narrabeen, North Curl Curl Beach and Q Station Manly.

Where: Multiple locations
When: Dates throughout November and December 2026
Cost: $99 per group
Best For: Kids, Families, Locals
Need To Know: If you’d like to get your furry friend involved, be sure to book your session at either Bayview Dog Park or North Curl Curl Beach.

Most Affordable Santa Photos in Sydney


Santa and his elves at Martin Place

Santa’s House

Just steps from the beloved Martin Place Christmas tree, Santa’s House offers a classic red and green backdrop for your annual Santa snaps. Within the privacy of this festive enclave, you’ll get to suspend your reality and enjoy the whimsy of the moment.

Sitchu Tip: Once you’re done, enjoy the nearby festive markets and choirs as you revel in Christmas in Sydney.

Where: Martin Place
When: Friday 27 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, 8am to 10pm
Cost: From $29.95
Best For: Dog-friendly, Families, Kids
Need To Know: $5 from each booking is donated directly to Variety – The Children’s Charity.

FAQs About the Best Santa Photos in Sydney

Santa on the Beach runs Santa photo sessions at several of Sydney’s best-known coastal spots throughout November and December 2026. Locations include South Curl Curl Beach, North Curl Curl Beach, Narrabeen Beach, Q Station Manly and Bayview Dog Park, making it a natural fit for Sydneysiders who spend much of the festive season by the water. Sessions cost $99 per group. If you’d like to bring the family dog, choose a session at either Bayview Dog Park or North Curl Curl Beach. Dates vary by location, so check availability when booking.

Santa’s House in Martin Place is the most budget-friendly option in this guide, with Santa photos starting from $29.95. Located just steps from the Martin Place Christmas tree, it offers a classic red and green backdrop and runs from Friday 27 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, 8am to 10pm. It’s dog-friendly and suits families with young kids. Better still, $5 from each booking goes directly to Variety – The Children’s Charity. Afterwards, explore the nearby festive markets and choirs to make a day of it.

Two Sydney Santa photo experiences welcome dogs this Christmas. Santa on the Beach invites four-legged family members to its sessions at Bayview Dog Park and North Curl Curl Beach, running on dates throughout November and December 2026 for $99 per group. In the CBD, Santa’s House in Martin Place is also dog-friendly, with a classic red and green backdrop just steps from the Martin Place Christmas tree. It runs from Friday 27 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, 8am to 10pm, with bookings from $29.95 and $5 from each donated to Variety – The Children’s Charity.

Sydney’s climate lends itself to outdoor Santa photos, and three experiences make the most of it. Santa on the Beach runs sessions at South Curl Curl, North Curl Curl, Narrabeen, Q Station Manly and Bayview Dog Park throughout November and December 2026, from $99 per group. Santa in the Bush offers a gum-tree backdrop on the Upper North Shore across two November weekends, from $145 per group. For something truly memorable, BridgeClimb Sydney brings Santa to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday mornings from 1 November to 20 December, from $258 per adult.

Yes. The Tea Room QVB hosts High Tea with Santa, where families can capture a festive photo with Santa and Mrs Claus against the backdrop of the QVB’s historic ballroom. The experience begins with Christmas-inspired pastries and sweet scones before the special visit, and children receive Christmas-themed colouring mats while they wait. Tickets cost $70 per child and $120 per adult, with anyone aged 13 and over paying the adult rate. Sessions start on Thursday 19 November 2026 and are strictly by booking only, so reserve well ahead of the busy festive season.

Loved this edit of the best Santa photos in Sydney? You might also like to take a peek at what else is on in Sydney this month.

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