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Santa Photos

Meet Santa at The Levee this Christmas

Important changes to The Levee Santa photos 2026

Santa has been working hard this year to make his photos at The Levee extra special and more comfortable for everyone. In 2026 Santa photos will: 

  • Be relocated from The Riverlink to inside Maitland Central, across from where ALDI and the play equipment are located. 
  • Our peak Saturday morning sessions will require a $15 booking. 
  • Our digital photo delivery service will take place ‘while you wait’. 
  • There will be two pet friendly photo sessions on Wednesday 9 and 16 December 3pm to 7.30pm. 

MEET SANTA AT THE LEVEE

Same great photos brand new location! 

To improve the comfort of Santa and his guests we have moved to Maitland Central. You can meet Santa across from the play equipment and ALDI. 

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

free sessions - shop and play while you wait

The Levee Santa photos will take place from Thursday 26 November to Saturday 19 December

Free sessions are available Thursdays 3pm to 7.30pm, Fridays 9am to 1.30pm and Saturdays 11.30am to 2.30pm. 

how it works - FREE SESSIONS

Simply come to the Santa photos location 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 as a link while you wait!

booked saturday morning sessions

Skip the queue and see Santa sooner!
From 9am to 11am on Saturdays, we are providing booked timeslots for $15. We will be booking three groups in 10 minute timeslots. 
 
On the day of your booking arrive at the Santa photos location five minutes before your session’s time and approach one of our helper elves who will check your details and get you ready for your session with Santa. 
 
Please make sure you review our Booked Photo Sessions Terms and Conditions.
 
Your photos will be texted to you as a link while you wait! 
 

booked pet friendly session wednesday 9 and 16 december

Furry friends are family too!

Pet friendly photos require a $15 booking fee and will take place on Wednesday 9 and 16 December from 3pm to 7.30pm.

We are allowing two bookings every 10 minutes to limit the number of animals in the shopping centre at any given time. If you arrive early please wait outside the shopping centre until five minutes before your session time.

On the day of your booking arrive at the Santa photos location five minutes before your session’s time and approach one of our helper elves who will check your details and get you ready for your session with Santa.

Please make sure you review our Pet Friendly Photos Terms and Conditions.

Your photos will be texted to you as a link while you wait!

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 SESSIONS 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 Wednesday 9 and 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 19 December?
    We want to make sure you Santa photo reaches you before 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]  
BOOKED PET FRIENDLY SESSIONS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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 in Maitland Central 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. 

On the day: 

  • Arrive at Maitland Central 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! 

FREE SESSIONS TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  • Participation is at your own risk. The organiser will take reasonable steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

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.

Photography and 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.

Liability and 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.
BOOKED SATURDAY MORNING SESSIONS TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  • Participation is at your own risk. The organiser will take reasonable steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Booking and 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.

Arrival and check-in

  • Please arrive at Maitland Central 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.

Cancellations and 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.

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.

Photography and 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.

Liability and 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.