The best Santa pictures in Perth for kids and pets!
The countdown to Christmas is on, and if getting a Santa photo is on your list, the good news is Perth shopping centres have gone all out this year. We’re talking enchanting sets, interactive surprises, and sessions to suit every kind of family — from big group gatherings to gentle early-morning visits for little ones who find the Christmas buzz a bit much. Pets are welcome at most places too.
Nearly every centre now uses an online booking system, so sessions can and do sell out fast. Our best advice? Don’t leave it until December. Pick your venue, book your time, and look forward to a photo that’ll be front and centre on the Christmas card this year.
We’ve rounded up all the best places to get Santa photos in Perth for 2026, including options for Sensitive Santa sessions (designed for children with sensory challenges) and pet photography. We’ll keep adding to the list as more venues confirm their details, so check back if you don’t see your local centre yet.
How to get the best Santa photo of your children:
- Most Santa experiences across Perth let your kids visit Santa without having photos taken — don’t feel pressured if you’d rather just enjoy the moment.
- Go with a budget in mind and use our guide below to get an idea of what you’ll be paying. Prices start from around $24.95 for one printed photo.
- Think about what to dress your kids or baby in before you go — a festive outfit always makes for a great shot, but comfort matters too, especially for little ones who may already be feeling nervous.
- Talk to your children about visiting Santa before you head out. Tell them what will happen when they get there, and if possible, visit the centre first and have a look at the Santa set a few times before the big day to help them feel at ease.
- Be prepared to sit in on the photo to help your child feel more comfortable — most photographers are very used to this.
- Don’t be afraid to tell the photographer if you’re not happy with the shots. Ask for more to be taken, or come back later and try again.
- Prepare a letter to Santa to post in the post box — it’s a lovely experience, and all the centres that offer this promise to write back if you include a return address on the envelope.
- Many Perth venues now offer dedicated Sensitive Santa sessions, held before the centre opens when things are quieter and calmer. These sessions are designed for children with sensory challenges and are unhurried, low-stimulation and wonderfully understanding. Bookings are essential and sessions are limited, so check the individual listings below and get in early. Look for the Sensitive Santa label throughout our guide.
Best Places for Santa Photos in Perth
Here is our updated list of shopping centres and venues across Perth offering Santa photography in 2026. We’ve included details on session types, dates and booking links to help you plan ahead — because the good spots do fill up fast.
We’ll keep adding to this list as more venues confirm their details, so check back soon if you don’t see your local centre yet. If you’ve had your photo taken with Santa this year at any of the locations below and you’re happy for us to feature it, we’d love to see it! Email your photo to [email protected] or send it to us via our Facebook page.
Karrinyup Centre
Santa is back at Karrinyup Centre for “For the Love of Santa Photos”. You’ll find him in Centre Court, near The Coffee Club. Bookings are available online. The centre also runs two extra sessions:
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Pet Photos: Bring your furry family member for a photo with Santa.
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Sensitive Santa: A quieter, slower, sensory-friendly session run in partnership with Autism Association WA. It gives children and adults a calm space to enjoy the Christmas magic.
Dates: 1 November – 24 December 2026
More information: Karrinyup Centre – For the Love of Santa Photos
Lakeside Joondalup
Santa is on the ground floor near Myer. Bookings are essential, so book early for your preferred time. Arrive within 5 minutes of your session so you skip the queues. Pet Santa sessions run on selected evenings from 5:30pm to 9pm:
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November: 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25 and 30
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December: 1, 2 and 4
Sensitive Santa sessions are also offered, but they are currently sold out.
Dates: From 7th November – 24th December 2026
More information: www.lakesidejoondalup.com.au
Online booking essential | Pet Santa | Sensitive Santa (sold out)
Ocean Keys Shopping Centre
Santa’s Magical Elevator is back at Ocean Keys, and it’s a lot more than a quick photo. Families step into a festive wonderland, watch the snow fall, then meet Santa. Every child gets a special gift from Santa (while stocks last). Photo packages come in digital and print options, with session times to suit most budgets. Photos are ready about 10 minutes after your session. Read our review of Santa’s Magical Elevator.
Visit on a weekday between 23rd November and 11th December 2026 and you’ll get a QR code to enter the draw for a $1,000 Ocean Keys Gift Card. The draw doesn’t apply to Pet Photography or Sensitive Santa sessions. Sensitive Santa and Pet Photography sessions are both available.
Dates: 21st November – 24th December 2026
More information: www.oceankeys.net.au
Westfield Innaloo
Westfield Innaloo has a few Santa session types, so most families can find one that suits. Santa’s set is outside Coles. The best parking is the basement car park, with entry off Ellen Stirling Blvd. Online booking gets you a session time and a photo package to suit your budget. Every child who visits Santa gets a special gift to take home.
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Family and friends: Groups are welcome, including sports teams, school groups and workmates.
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Sensitive Santa: Sessions run before the stores open, when the centre is quieter, for children with sensory challenges. Online booking is essential.
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Auslan Santa: Children who use sign language can share their Christmas wishes with an Auslan-fluent Santa. Sessions are longer, with helpers and an interpreter on hand. Online booking is essential.
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Pet photography: Pets in festive dress-ups are welcome. Dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals can come along. Online booking is essential and there are no walk-ins. Pets must be on a lead or in a cage.
Dates: From 7th November – 24th December 2026
More information: www.westfield.com.au/innaloo
Online booking | Sensitive Santa | Auslan Santa | Pet photography
Westfield Whitford City
Westfield Whitford City has Santa photo sessions for the whole family. Santa’s set is near Coles, and the best parking is in the basement car park off Whitfords Avenue and Dampier Avenue. Book online to choose a session time and a photo package to suit your budget. Every child who visits Santa gets a special gift to take home.
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Family and friends: Groups are welcome, including sports teams, school groups and workmates.
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Sensitive Santa: Sessions run before the stores open, when the centre is quieter, for children with sensory challenges. Online booking is essential. Enter near ANZ off Whitfords Avenue and wait at the door until a helper takes you through.
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Pet photography: Pets in festive dress-ups are welcome. Dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals can come along. Online booking is essential and there are no walk-ins. Pets must be on a lead or in a cage. Park near ANZ off Whitfords Avenue, where no escalators are needed.
Dates: From 7th November – 24th December 2026
More information: www.westfield.com.au/whitfordcity
Online booking | Sensitive Santa | Pet photography
Westfield Booragoon
Santa photos are back at Westfield Booragoon, with sessions to suit the whole family — furry members included. Book online to lock in your preferred time and choose a photo package to suit your budget. Santa’s set is near The Reject Shop.
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Family and friends: Bring the whole crew — extended family, sports teams, school groups and workmates are all welcome.
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Sensitive Santa: Sessions run before stores open in a quieter, calmer environment, designed for children with sensory challenges. Online booking is essential.
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Pet photography: Dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals are welcome in their best festive outfits. Online booking is essential and there are no walk-ins. Pets must arrive on a lead or in a cage — a staff member will meet you at the designated entrance and escort you to the set.
Dates: From 7th November – 24th December 2026
More information: www.westfield.com.au/booragoon
Online booking | Sensitive Santa | Pet photography
Westfield Carousel
If you’re south of the river, Westfield Carousel in Cannington is a great spot to tick Santa photos off the Christmas list. There’s a session to suit most families — from a big group gathering to a calm early-morning visit for little ones who find the festive bustle a bit much. Even the dog can come.
Book online to lock in your time and choose from a range of photo packages. Santa’s set is near The Reject Shop, and sessions fill up fast so don’t leave it too late.
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Family and friends: The more the merrier — groups of all kinds are welcome, including sports teams, school groups and work crews.
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Sensitive Santa: Held before the centre opens, these quieter sessions are designed for children with sensory challenges. A calm, unhurried experience with no crowds. Online booking essential.
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Pet photography: Dress your fur baby up and bring them along. Dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals are welcome. Book online (no walk-ins), arrive on a lead or in a cage, and a staff member will meet you at the entrance and walk you straight to Santa.
Dates: From 7th November – 24th December 2026
More information: www.westfield.com.au/carousel
Online booking | Sensitive Santa | Pet photography
Myer Santaland, Perth CBD
Myer Santaland in the Murray Street Mall is a Perth Christmas institution, and for good reason. It’s more than a quick snap with Santa — it’s an immersive experience that little ones will remember long after December. The journey through a decorated winter wonderland, a ride on the Santaland Express, and the big moment with Santa himself makes for a genuinely magical morning or afternoon out.
Booking online in advance is essential — sessions sell out quickly, so get in as soon as dates are released. If you can, opt for a weekday session to avoid the weekend rush. Arrive a few minutes before your booking time to secure your spot. The area is pram-friendly, though it can get snug at peak times.
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Baby’s First Christmas: A special session for your youngest, capturing that very first Santa meeting.
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Sensory Santa: A calm, quieter experience for children with sensory challenges.
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Santa Paws: Pets are welcome — bring your furry family member along for the fun.
Dates: From 7th November – 24th December 2026
More information: www.myer.com.au/mychristmas/santaland
Online booking | Sensory Santa | Pet photography
Cockburn Gateway Shopping City
Santa photos at Cockburn Gateway in Success are run by Scene to Believe, and there’s a session type for every family. Whether you’re after a classic Christmas portrait, a laid-back visit for a child who finds busy environments tricky, or a snap with the family pet, you can book online and choose a time that suits you. Sessions are filling up, so get in early.
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Traditional Santa photos: The classic Christmas portrait — share your wish list and walk away with a memory to last.
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Sensitive Santa: A calm, low-stimulation session with extra time and no pressure, perfect for children who need a gentler pace.
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Pet photography: Bring the whole family, fur babies included. Dogs, cats and other small animals are welcome for a festive photo.
Dates: From 21st November – 24th December 2026
More information: bookings.santaphotography.com.au/cockburn-gateway
Online booking | Sensitive Santa | Pet photography
Belmont Forum Shopping Centre
Heading to Belmont Forum? Santa is set up there this Christmas, with sessions run by Scene to Believe. Book online and choose from three session types — there’s something for the whole family, kids of all temperaments, and yes, the pets too.
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Traditional Santa photos: The full Christmas experience — share the wish list, strike a pose, and walk away with a photo to put on the fridge for years to come.
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Sensitive Santa: Designed for children who find busy, noisy environments overwhelming. These sessions are calm and low-stimulation, with extra time and no rushing.
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Pet photography: Four-legged family members are very welcome. Dress them up and bring them along for a festive group shot.
Dates: Running now until Christmas Eve — book online to check availability.
More information: bookings.santaphotography.com.au/belmont-forum
Online booking | Sensitive Santa | Pet photography
Galleria Shopping Centre
Galleria has given Santa’s set a full refresh for 2026 — it’s a whole experience, not just a quick photo. From 19 November, families can explore an enchanting destination complete with Santa’s sleigh and interactive surprises before sitting down for their Christmas portrait. It’s the kind of thing little ones will talk about for weeks.
Santa is on the Ground Floor of the Fashion Mall, opposite Country Road. Sessions are limited and bookings are essential, so get in early.
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Sensitive Santa: A calm, low-stimulation session for children with sensory challenges. Enter via the W Cosmetics entrance — the closest parking is in the Yellow Car Park off Collier Road.
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Pet Santa: Bring the furry family members along in their festive best. Enter via the W Cosmetics entrance, wait at the door, and a team member will escort you through to Santa.
Dates: From 19 November — book online to secure your spot.
More information: www.galleriashoppingcentre.com.au
Online booking | Sensitive Santa | Pet photography
Floreat Forum
Claremont Quarter
TBA
The Square Mirrabooka
TBA
www.thesquaremirrabooka.com.au
Secret Harbour Square
TBA
www.secretharboursquare.com.au
Mandurah Forum
Riverton Forum
Rockingham Central
TBA
www.rockinghamcentre.com.au
We hope this guide helps you find the perfect spot for your family’s Santa photo this Christmas. Whether you’re after a full festive experience with all the bells and whistles, a calm Sensitive Santa session for a child who needs a gentler pace, or just a classic photo to put on the Christmas card, Perth has plenty of wonderful options in 2026.
From all of us at Buggybuddys, we wish you a magical, stress-free Santa visit — and a very Merry Christmas! 🎅
