Kids have had to miss out on a lot this year. Don’t let COVID put you off creating magical Christmas memories or upholding the traditions of years gone by.
The pandemic has caused big businesses, some of who have been doing the same old thing for many years, to get creative, revamp their sets and throw new ideas into the mix.
Here’s your opportunity to create a memory you can look back on and laugh as your children share their wishes with a Santa safely 1.5m away. In years to come your 2020 Christmas photo might be the one that truly stands out from the rest!
SUTHERLAND SHIRE & SOUTH WEST
Kareela Village
Kareela village is the perfect place to go if you’d like to simply turn up for a FREE and COVID-safe Santa photo. Bring the family and get your Christmas shopping done in peace!
Kids will get to sit in chairs in front of Santa this year and you can use your own smartphone (or camera) to take your own photos. This allows you to print as many as you like without an exxy price tag attached.
Pets are welcome, but please keep them on a tight leash.
Keep an eye on the Kareela Village website for great kids’ Christmas craft workshops that are held throughout the school holidays, their weekend pop-up markets, carollers and more.
Don’t forget you can also have your kids write a letter to Santa and drop it into the special Santa post box located outside of the Grocer and Santa and his special helpers will send one back.
Where: Kareela Village, Freya Rd Kareela
When: From 23 Nov – 24 Dec (see website for times)
Revesby Workers Club
When: 28 November – 24 December
Menai Marketplace
This year photos will be a little bit different at Menai Marketplace. Booking online is essential for your visit to Santa, where all visitors will sit/stand a safe 1.5m distance from Santa and his helpers, but kids can still tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
Sensitive Santa photos and pet photos are also available.
Where: Menai Marketplace, Santa Set located in shop near Mister Minit
When: 11th November – 24th December
Westfield Miranda
Your chance to meet Santa at Westfield is back again. Online bookings are strongly encouraged, though limited walk-ins are welcome. Socially-distanced photos will be set-up where families can sit together on their own seat near Santa’s throne.
Sensory Santa and pet photos with your favourite four-legged friend photos are also available on selected dates and times.
Where: Westfield Miranda, Level 1
When: 11th November – 24th December
Myer Miranda
Meet Santa and his elves in Santaland at Myer Miranda and stay for a photo with the big guy. Bookings are essential and will ensure that there are no queues and sanitisation can occur between bookings.
It also means your kids will have ten full minutes to talk to Santa about what they want for Christmas, instead of feeling rushed by the people waiting in a line behind them!
Where: Myer Miranda
When: 26 Nov – 24 Dec (see website for times)
Cronulla Mall
You and your pets are welcome to come and have a photo with Santa with a beachy backdrop in Cronulla Mall.
Bookings are required and can be made via the link below.
Where: Cronulla Plaza stage, next to the Kingsway
When: 21 November – 24th December
INNER WEST
Grounds of Alexandria
Turn your photos with Santa into a whole fun day out by heading to the gorgeous Grounds of Alexandria.
Bookings are essential and will mean that instead of waiting in a line you can enjoy the gardens or grab something delicious in the cafe while you wait.
Take advantage of their Early Bird Offer by booking before 27th November, and you’ll receive 2 bonus prints! Leashed dogs are welcome to join in the family fun.
Where: The Grounds of Alexandria
When: November 12 – December 12 – 9am to 5pm.
CITY & EAST
Santa by the Surf
For a truly authentic Aussie beach backdrop, you’ll want to have your Santa photos taken with Santa by the Surf.
This year there’ll be no sitting on Santa’s bare knee but you and your furry friends are welcome to hang near him at a safe distance for the gnarliest Santa photos in Sydney.
Where: Santa by the Surf sites, North Bondi or Bronte beach
When: Now until 17th December
QVB High Tea
QVB’s famous enchanted garden has this year been replaced with exclusive high teas with Santa!
Spend a full hour with Santa enjoying delicious sweet and savoury treats and finger sandwiches along with a choice of tea, coffee or soft drinks. You are free to take as many of your own photos as you like during this time or engage the professional photographer on standby.
There are also Sensory Santa sessions and Cocktails with Santa sessions available!
Where: Queen Victoria Building, Sydney CBD
When: 9 November – 24 December (see website for available times)
Have we forgotten any other fantastic Santa photo opportunities? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to tag @mumsoftheshire when you post your Christmas snaps to Instagram! Merry Christmas.
