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Santa Photos

Meet Santa at The Levee this Christmas

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

To help everyone stay cool and comfortable, please note the following changes to our upcoming Santa Photo sessions at The Levee:

Friday 5 December and Saturday 6 December sessions will run one hour earlier, from 8am – 12.30pm. Free cold water will be available for those waiting in the queue.

Important changes to Santa photos at The Levee 2025

In 2024 Santa Photos at The Levee experienced a major increase in numbers. This increase caused long wait times and some people missing out on getting a photo with Santa. In 2025 we will be extending every session by 30 minutes so more people will have a chance to get a photo with Santa. We will also be introducing a pet friendly session on Tuesday 16 December from 3pm to 7.30pm. The pet friendly session on Tuesday 16 December and the final Santa photos session on Saturday 20 December will require a booking. Booking fees apply.

Please note there are strictly no pets at any sessions other than the dedicated pet friendly session on Tuesday 16 December.

MEET SANTA AT THE LEVEE

Remember Christmas 2025 with a picture with Santa in his living room. Look for the giant red present tied with a green bow at The Riverlink, where you’ll find Santa.  

Meet Santa and grab your family Christmas photo at The Riverlink to bring in the Christmas cheer this festive season.  

Santa is at The Levee from Thursday 27 November until Saturday 20 December. Sessions times are Thursdays 3pm to 7.30pm, Fridays and Saturdays 9am to 1.30pm. 

Once you have arrived during session times, simply scan the QR code and join the digital queue. You will get a text message when it’s nearly your turn. Your photos will be emailed to you within three business days. 

This year we are introducing two sessions that will require bookings – a pet friendly session (SOLD OUT) on Tuesday 16 December from 3pm – 7.30pm and our final session on Saturday 20 December from 9am – 1.30pm. For just $15 this premium service means no long waits which often occur with our digital queue system.  

book your premium pet friendly session
book your premium santa session

how it works - FREE SESSIONS

Simply come to The Riverlink during session times, scan the QR code and join the digital queue. Once you have provided your details you can explore The Levee and we will text you when it’s nearly your turn.  

These sessions are free of charge.

Your photos will be emailed to you within three business days. 

 

how it works – pet friendly session tuesday 16 december (SOLD OUT)

All proceeds from the pet friendly session will be donated to Hunter Wildlife Rescue.
 
To make sure our pet friendly session takes place safely we are using a booking system to limit the number of furry friends at The Riverlink at any one time. We will be booking two groups every ten minutes. 
 
The same rules that apply to pets in public places will apply to this session: 
 
On day of your booking arrive at The Riverlink five minutes before your session time and approach one of our helper elves who will check your details ready for your session with Santa. 
 
Please note there are strictly no pets at any sessions other than the dedicated pet friendly session on Tuesday 16 December.
 
For full terms and conditions, please see below.

how it works – saturday 20 december

Sessions on Saturday 20 December 9am to 12pm will require a booking. We will be booking three groups in each 10 minute timeslots. There is a booking fee of $15. 
 
On day of your booking arrive at The Riverlink five minutes before your session time and approach one of our helper elves who will check your details ready for your session with Santa. 
 

ANY questions? 


Check out our FAQs section below but if you are still unsure, please contact [email protected]  

For more information to find out what’s happening at The Levee, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

FURTHER INFORMATION

FREE SANTA PHOTOS FAQs
  • What if I don’t have a device that can scan a QR code?
    No problem. Just speak to one of our staff at The Riverlink and they can add you to the queue.
  • Can I bring my dog or other pets?
    Unfortunately we cannot accommodate pets, except for our pet friendly session on Tuesday 16 December. Bookings required.
  • Can my child sit on Santa’s knee?
    Santa is happy for smaller children to sit on his knee or the arm of his chair for a photo. It is advised that children between the ages one and three years should be placed on Santa’s knee facing the parents to avoid any tears.
  • Why do your sessions end on Saturday 21 December?
    We want to make sure you Santa photo reaches you before the Christmas. 
  • What if I have not received photos within three business days 
    Please check your junk mail and if your photo is still not there please email [email protected]  
PET FRIENDLY SESSION FAQs
    • By participating, you agree to indemnify Council against any claims resulting from incidents involving your animal. 

      To make sure our Pet-Friendly Santa Photo sessions run smoothly and safely, we’re using a booking system to limit the number of furry friends at The Riverlink at any one time. 

      How it works: 

      • We book two groups every 10 minutes, with a maximum of two domestic pets per group. 
      • Domestic pets include dogs, cats, small mammals (like rabbits, rodents, miniature pigs), non-venomous reptiles and snakes, and birds with clipped wings. (Fish and amphibians are not recommended.) 

      Pet Rules (just like in public spaces): 

      • Pets must be on a leash or securely held by their owner at all times. 
      • Owners must clean up after their pets and dispose of waste properly. 
      • For more info on pet responsibilities, visit: NSW Pet Registry – Legal Responsibilities for Dog Owners 

      On the day: 

      • Arrive at The Riverlink 5 minutes before your session time. 
      • Check in with one of our helper elves, who will confirm your booking and get you ready for your festive photo with Santa! 

      Important to know: 

      • Owners are fully responsible for the control and behaviour of their animals. 
      • Council staff and contractors will not handle animals at any time.

Let’s make this a joyful and safe experience for everyone – humans and pets alike! 

SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER SANTA PHOTOS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Santa Photos – Terms & Conditions 

Participation is at your own risk. The organiser will take reasonable steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. 

  1. Booking & Payment
  • Each booking secures a 10-minute session shared with up to two other groups. 
  • A non-refundable booking fee of $15 is required to confirm your session. 
  • Bookings are only valid for the time and date selected during registration. 
  1. Arrival & Check-In
  • Please arrive at The Riverlink at least 5 minutes prior to your scheduled session. 
  • Check in with one of our helper elves to confirm your booking and prepare for your session. 
  • Late arrivals may result in reduced session time or forfeiture of your booking without refund. 
  1. Cancellations & Refunds
  • Booking fees are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the organiser. 
  • No refunds or rescheduling will be offered for missed sessions or late arrivals. 
  1. Session Conduct
  • Each session is shared with up to two other groups. Please be respectful of others’ time and space. 
  • Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. 
  • The organiser reserves the right to refuse participation to anyone behaving inappropriately or disrupting the session. 
  1. Photography & Image Use
  • Photos will be taken by our designated photographer during your session. 
  • By participating, you grant permission for your photos to be used for promotional purposes by the organiser unless you opt out at check-in. 
  • Personal photography during the session is permitted, but must not interfere with the flow of the session. 
  1. Liability & Indemnity 
  • The organiser is not responsible for any personal items lost or damaged during the session. 
  • Pet owners are fully responsible for the behaviour and safety of their animals. 
  • Council accepts no liability for injury, loss, or damage arising from the presence or behaviour of any animal. 
      • By participating, you agree to indemnify Council against any claims resulting from incidents involving your animal. 
PET FRIENDLY PHOTOS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Pet-Friendly Santa Photos – Terms & Conditions

1. Booking & Payment

  • Each booking secures a 10-minute session, shared with one other group (maximum two groups per timeslot). 
  • A non-refundable booking fee of $15 is required to confirm your session. 
  • Bookings are only valid for the time and date selected during registration. 
  • Each booking allows a maximum of two domestic pets per group.

2. Arrival & Check-In

  • Please arrive at The Riverlink at least 5 minutes prior to your scheduled session. 
  • Check in with one of our helper elves to confirm your booking and prepare for your session. 
  • Late arrivals may result in reduced session time or forfeiture of your booking without refund.

3. Pet Requirements

  • Only domestic pets are permitted. This includes:  
  • Dogs, cats, small mammals (e.g. rabbits, rodents, miniature pigs) 
  • Non-venomous reptiles and snakes 
  • Birds with clipped wings 
  • Insects and arachnids must be kept in a vessel 
  • Fish, crustaceans and amphibians are not recommended 
  • Please consider the temperament of your pet and their familiarity with crowds and strangers before engaging in this service 
  • All pets must:  
  • Be on a leash or securely held by their owner at all times. 
  • Be under the full control and supervision of their owner. 
  • Have waste cleaned up and disposed of appropriately by their owner. 
  • Council staff and contractors will not handle animals at any time.

4. Cancellations & Refunds

  • Booking fees are non-refundable, unless the event is cancelled by the organiser. 
  • No refunds or rescheduling will be offered for missed sessions or late arrivals.

5. Session Conduct

  • Each session is shared with one other group. Please be respectful of others’ time, pets, and space. 
  • Children and pets must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. 
  • The organiser reserves the right to refuse participation to anyone behaving inappropriately or disrupting the session.

6. Photography & Image Use

  • Photos will be taken by our designated photographer during your session. 
  • By participating, you grant permission for your photos to be used for promotional purposes by the organiser unless you opt out at check-in. 
  • Personal photography during the session is permitted, but must not interfere with the flow of the session. 

7. Liability & Indemnity

  • The organiser is not responsible for any personal items lost or damaged during the session. 
  • Pet owners are fully responsible for the behaviour and safety of their animals. 
  • Council accepts no liability for injury, loss, or damage arising from the presence or behaviour of any animal. 
  • By participating, you agree to indemnify Council against any claims resulting from incidents involving your animal. 
      • Participation is at your own risk. The organiser will take reasonable steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.