Parents and children delight in the magic of Christmas, and a visit to Santa is a time-honoured tradition that many families enjoy, but visits to Santa usually involve bright lights, jangly music, and noisy crowds. If your child has special sensory needs this sensory overload can be very distressing, but a visit to a Sensory Santa (also known as Sensitive Santa and Caring Santa) means you can get that special family Santa photo after all.
What is Sensory Santa?
Sensory/Sensitive Santas are a wonderfully inclusive idea for children with sensory challenges who might struggle with the usual noisy Christmas crowds. Visits to Sensory Santas occur before the shopping centre is open, or at less busy times, and the whole experience is patient, relaxed, and understanding. Your child’s visit to this special Santa will be:
- Quiet – no crowds and no music
- Calm – no bright spotlights or waiting in lines
- Accessible – plenty of room for wheelchairs
- Accommodating – Autism Assistance dogs are welcome in some places
- Understanding – Sensory Santa and his photographer can work with your child’s needs and have a Santa sack full of photographic strategies to get a perfect photo.
If you would like to update your entry or add to our article, please email Janine – Editor@FamiliesMagazine.com.au
- What is Sensory Santa?
- Where can we see a Sensory/Sensitive Santa in Brisbane?
- Sensory Santa photos Brisbane Northside 2023
- Sensory Santa photos Brisbane Southside 2023
- Places to visit Santa east of Brisbane
- Sensory Santa photos West of Brisbane 2023
- Bookings really are essential!
- What else is on for Christmas in Brisbane 2023?
Where can we see a Sensory/Sensitive Santa in Brisbane?
Sensory Santas will be visiting these shopping centres on the dates shown below, but be sure to book quickly. When updating this article, I noticed that there are very limited sessions and in some cases they had already sold out!
Sensory Santa photos at David Jones Queens Plaza | Brisbane CBD
Join David Jones this Christmas for a premium Santa photo experience with their magical Christmas sets and real-life Santas at Queens Plaza Brisbane. All bookings will receive their photo in a custom designed David Jones frame and each child will receive a special reindeer antler headband from Santa himself.
Book your visit to Santa at David Jones here.
Sensory Santa photos Brisbane Northside 2023
Here is a list of locations to get sensory Santa photos on the northside of Brisbane.
Morayfield Shopping Centre
Visit Santa in his magical woodland home at Moryafield Shopping Centre. Online bookings are essential, and sessions book out quickly. Sensitive Santa Sessions are limited and are available for families of children with special needs. Sessions are available before trade on a Saturday and Sunday when Centre traffic is minimised. All children visiting Santa will receive a free Santa Stocking, or Yummy Santa Cookie or Christmas Colouring Book.
When: Saturday 18 November – Sunday 24 December
Where: The Atrium near Prouds
Find all the details about booking your visit with Santa at Morayfield here.
Strathpine Centre
Visit Santa for a calm and sensory-friendly photo at Strathpine Centre with dimmed lights and the sound off. Bookings are essential and places are limited!
- Sunday 26 November | 8am to 9:30am
- Sunday 3 December | 8am to 9:30am
- Sunday 10 December | 8am to 9:30am
Plus, all children who visit Santa will receive a complimentary gift!
Where: Centre Court, Strathpine Centre, 295 Gympie Road, Brisbane.
Indooroopilly Shopping Centre | Indooroopilly
Indooroopilly Shopping Centre understands that every child’s needs are different, so the option to be photographed with Santa without the bright lights, crowds and loud sounds is available if you wish. Book in for one of their Sensitive Santa Photos. Limited time slots are available in the following dates from 8am (until sold out):
- Sat 18 Nov
- Sun 19 Nov
- Sat 25 Nov
- Sun 26 Nov
- Sat 2 Dec
- Sat 9 Dec
- Sun 10 Dec
Where: Santa World, Level 1 (near Coles)
Brookside Shopping Centre | Mitchelton
Brookside is again proud to offer our Sensory Santa sessions. These sessions provide a safe and friendly opportunity for children with sensory needs to meet Santa in a low-stress and quiet environment and capture that special moment.
- Sensory Santa times are 9am to 10am every Saturday and Sunday (excl. Christmas Eve) starting Saturday 18 Nov 2023
Where: Brookside Shopping Centre, 159 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
Find out more about Brookside’s Santa photos here.
Westfield North Lakes | North Lakes
The Sensitive Santa experience at Westfield North Lakes allows families to have a photo taken in a relaxed environment, tailored to children with sensory challenges. These calm and comfortable photography sessions are run before stores open, when the centre is quieter, to create a relaxed and sensory-friendly Santa experience.
- Time slots for their Sensitive Santa slots are now booked out for 2023. Contact the Centre to find out if there is a wait list.
Where: Westfield North Lakes, Cnr Anzac Ave & North Lakes Dr., North Lakes
There is more information on how to get your Myer Santa photos here.
Westfield Chermside | Chermside
Families can capture a photo with Sensitive Santa at Westfield Chermside in a tailored and relaxed environment, specifically designed for children with sensory challenges. These tranquil and comfortable photography sessions take place before store opening hours, ensuring a calm and sensory-friendly Santa experience in the quieter ambiance of the centre.
- Sun 19 Nov
- Sun 25 Nov
- Sat 2 Dec
- Sun 3 Dec
Where: Westfield Chermside, Level 1 Centre Court,, Gympie Rd, Chermside.
Peninsula Fair Santa Photos | Redcliffe
The man in the red suit has arrived and he has FREE gifts for everyone who visits! Plus, spend $30 or more at any specialty store to receive a FREE Santa photo! Valid until Sunday 17 December 2023. Must present a receipt to redeem. Terms and conditions apply.
When: 18 November – 24 December, 2023
Bookings open on Monday 13 November and you can find all the details of the Peninsula Fair Santa photos here.
Sensory Santa photos Brisbane Southside 2023
Here is a list of locations to get sensory Santa photos on the northside of Brisbane.
Myer Santa photos Carindale
Meet Santa and his Elves and get your Christmas photos taken! Book your personal 1-on-1 experience for you and your family. Meet Santa and his Elves, and get your 2023 Christmas photos taken!
- Mon 4 Dec
- Tues 5 Dec
There is more information on how to get your Myer Santa photos here.
Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre | Carindale
The Sensitive Santa experience at Westfield Carindale allows families to have a photo taken in a relaxed environment, tailored to children with sensory challenges. These calm and comfortable photography sessions are run before stores open, when the centre is quieter, to create a relaxed and sensory-friendly Santa experience. At Carindale these sessions start at 7am and book out super quickly!
- Sat 18 Nov
- Sun 19 Nov
- Sun 3 Dec
- Sun 10 Dec
Where: Westfield Carindale, Cnr Creek Road and Old Cleveland Road, Carindale
Westfield Garden City | Upper Mt Gravatt
The Sensitive Santa experience at Westfield Garden City allows families to have a photo taken in a relaxed environment, tailored to children with sensory challenges. These calm and comfortable photography sessions are run before stores open, when the centre is quieter, to create a relaxed and sensory-friendly Santa experience.
- Sun 3 Dec
- Sun 10 Dec
Where: Westfield Garden City, Logan Road, Upper Mt Gravatt.
Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown Santa photos
The sleigh will be back again! This year expect to find reindeer, larger-than-life presents, mistletoe and lots of Christmas Trees! You will find Santa outside Kmart.
- Sun 10 Dec
- Sun 17 Dec
You can find more information on Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown website.
Hyperdome Shopping Centre | Loganholme
Hyperdome Shopping Centre are creating a low-stress, sensory-friendly environment that can be enjoyed by all, without the crowds, queues and noise. Children can meet Santa within his magical Enchanted Forest before the Centre opens, with plenty of time to chat and run through their Christmas wish lists in calm and comfortable surrounds. Early bookings start from 8am.
- Mon 20 Nov
- Mon 27 Nov
- Mon 4 Dec
- Mon 11 Dec
- Mon 18 Dec
Where: Hyperdome Shopping Centre, Pacific Motorway & Bryants Road, Loganholme.
Sensory Santa east of Brisbane
Here are the details of where you can visit Santa in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane. including the Redlands.
Victoria Point Shopping Centre
Santa has combed his beard and pressed his jolly red suit and is ready to have you all visit him for photos at the Victoria Point Shopping Centre. Santa arrives on 25 November and has allocated these specific times if you are wanting to be part of his Sensitive Photo times.
- Sun 3 Dec 8am – 9am
- Sun 10 Dec 8am – 9am
- Wed 13 Dec 8am – 9am
Santa is also inviting you to bring your pooch with paws so they don’t miss out on visiting Santa. Specific times have been allocated for these photos.
When: Saturday 25 November – 24 December, 2023
Bookings are required for all photos.
Sensory Santa photos West of Brisbane 2023
If you live in Ipswich, you can book a time slot for a Sensory Santa visit at om of these two locations.
Orion Springfield Central Santa Photos
Everyone’s favourite jolly man in red is back for your family Santa photo experience! Capture your Christmas moment in Santa’s Cottage from Monday 7 November! Choose a session that suits you. They are offering various experiences for the whole family.
- 6 November – 25 December
You can read more about Santa photos at Springfield Orion Central here.
Riverlink Shopping Centre | Ipswich
Sensory Santa Photos are once again on at Riverlink Shopping Centre.
- Saturday 25th November & Saturday 2nd December at 8am – 9am
Where: Riverlink Shopping Centre, Downs St & The Terrace, North Ipswich
Grand Central Shopping Centre | Toowoomba
Children can meet Santa within his new shiny new bauble before Grand Central opens, with plenty of time to chat and run through their Christmas wish lists in calm and comfortable surrounds.
- Sun 3 Dec
- Sun 10 Dec
Where: Grand Central Shopping Centre, Dent Street, Toowoomba City
Bookings really are essential!
Visits to Sensory Santa are by appointment only so you can be assured that any waiting time will be minimal. Appointments fill up very fast – we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment. Please ensure you book through the links we have provided above to secure your booking asap.
What else is on for Christmas in Brisbane 2023?
If you’re wondering what other events are on for Christmas in Brisbane read our article here.
You may also like to do a self-guided tour of local Christmas lights using our maps for Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or Ipswich.
Love that Sensory Santa accommodates children with sensory needs! We need more of these!