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Where to Visit Santa in Brisbane in 2023

If you are looking for places to visit Santa in Brisbane this year, you’re going to love my article! I have pulled together a tonne of local places across Brisbane where you can take your kids to see Santa. In the lead up to Christmas, there really is no shortage of opportunities places to visit Santa in Brisbane with your family!

Shopping centres are great at helping the big fella out with this, welcoming him with parades, a secure park for his reindeer, and a comfortable chair to sit in from early November. But Santa is a magical tireless fellow who loves to delight children everywhere with his special guest appearances at community events, Christmas Markets, Christmas Carols, Christmas festivals and other Christmas events across Brisbane. If you want to know where to find Santa this year check out our guide below!

There are so many places to visit Santa in Brisbane. Here is a brief list, but keep reading to find the full details!

  • Santa photos at: David Jones, Westfield Shopping Centres, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Brookside Shopping Centre, Peninsula Fair, Myer at North Lakes.
  • Christmas Carols at: Caboolture, Redcliffe, Sandstone Point, Pine Rivers, Sherwood.
  • Christmas Markets at: Flagstone Twilight Markets & Community Carols.
  • Christmas Festivals at: Jingle all the Bay – Sandgate, Jimboomba Christmas Brigade.

Places to visit Santa in Brisbane City CBD

Embark on a festive adventure in the heart of Brisbane city as we reveal a lineup of enchanting places where you can visit Santa and create cherished holiday memories.

Santa’s Stop Over | South Bank Parklands

Santa seeing some families at Santa's Stopover - Christmas at South Bank

Snap a festive family photo with Santa at the Flowstate precinct, where Santa’s friendly elves are ready to help capture the magic of Christmas for you on your phone. For those who have been naughty this year be prepared for a surprise at Santa’s Stopover from a well-known green man!

Entry to Santa’s Stopover is free however pre-registration is required on arrival at Flowstate. Sessions will be taking place every 30 min from 4pm – 9.30pm daily from 18 – 23 December.

When: Monday 18 – Saturday 23 December

Where: Flowstate Precinct

Find out more about where to see Santa at South Bank here.

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.

They also have a Sensitive Santa for children with sensory needs and Pawtraits (pet photography)!

Book your visit to Santa at David Jones here.

Places to visit Santa in north Brisbane

Here are the details of where you can visit Santa on the northside of Brisbane.

Morayfield Shopping Centre

Moryafield Shopping Centre Santa

Visit Santa in his magical woodland home at Moryafield Shopping Centre. Online bookings are essential, and sessions book out quickly. Be quick to book a date and time that is convenient for you. 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, 2023

Where: The Atrium near Prouds

Find all the details about booking your visit with Santa at Morayfield here.

Visit Santa at Strathpine Centre this Christmas 2023

Santa has written his list, checked in twice and will be photo-ready at the Strathpine Centre for your family Christmas portraits this festive season. All children who visit Santa will receive a complimentary gift

When: 24 November – 24 December, 2023

Find out more on the centre’s website.

Westfield Santa photos 2023

Santa photos

Westfield Santa photos are one of the most popular places to get cute photos with Santa each year! While you are out shopping for Christmas earrings to match your new Christmas dress, why not stop in and get your Santa photos taken with the kids?

In Brisbane you can find Santa being snapped happily for Santa pics at the following northside Westfield locations:

Myer Santa photos North Lakes 2023

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! 

When: 2 – 24 December, 2023

There is more information on how to get your Myer Santa photos here.

Peninsula Fair Santa photos 2023

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 Friday 16 December. Must present a receipt to redeem.

When: 18 November – 24 December, 2023

You can find all the details of the Peninsula Fair Santa photos here.

Brookside Shopping Centre Santa photos 2023

Brookside is excited to welcome back Santa. Now is your opportunity to secure your place and capture that special moment with the jolly man in red. Santa photos are available every day from Thursday 16 November up until Christmas Eve. View the variety of photo packages available, starting from just $15. Bookings are ONLINE ONLY and they strongly encourage you to secure your place as early as possible so you don’t miss out.

When: 16 November – 24 December, 2023

Find out more about Brookside’s Santa photos here.

You can visit Santa at these local Christmas carols

Christmas Carols in Brisbane dancing

Places to visit Santa on the southside of Brisbane

Here are the details of where you can visit Santa on the southside of Brisbane.

Shopping Centres taking Santa photos on the southside of Brisbane

The Westfield shopping centres on the southside of Brisbane taking Santa photos are:

Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown Santa photos 2023

The sleigh will be back again! This year expect to find reindeer, larger-than-life presents, mistletoe and lots of Christmas Trees!

When: 2 – 24 December, 2023

You can find more information on Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown website.

Christmas in the Park | Calamvale

Christmas in the Park is a community event to bring people together to celebrate Christmas. Activities will include food and craft stalls, Carol singers, musical groups, photo booths, children’s gifts and a visit from Santa! Calamvale District Park. Find out more here.

  • When: Saturday 3 December, 2023
  • Where: Calamvale District Park
  • Time: 4pm-7pm

Jimboomba Christmas Brigade | Jimboomba

Dress up the kids in Christmas theme and head down to Rotary Park from 5pm for Christmas carols, face painting, activities, The Grinch playing on the big outdoor screen, local food trucks, and meet Santa with the Jimboomba Rural Fire Brigade. Bookings required for this FREE community event. Get the details here.

  • When: Fri 8 December, 2023
  • Where: Rotary Park
  • Time: 4pm-8pm

Flagstone Twilight Markets & Community Carols | Flagstone

Flagstone Twilight Markets will return in collaboration with a carol event on Saturday 3 December. Browse the boutique and handmade market stallholders to find great gift ideas just in time for Christmas. Delicious food trucks will be at the event to fill hungry tummies and Santa will be making a visit too! Enjoy the magical Christmas spirit as you listen and sing-a-long to your favourite Christmas carols.

  • When: Saturday 2 December, 2023
  • Where: Flagstone State School
  • Time: 4pm-8pm

City of Logan Christmas Carols | Meadowbrook

Get into the Christmas spirit and head down to Griffith University Logan campus for the city’s biggest Christmas event. This FREE, family-friendly event will have you singing along to all your favourite Christmas carols, enjoying rides and indulging in the fantastic variety of delicious foods available. You can even get a free photo with Santa! See our events calendar for more information.

  • When: Sat 9 December, 2023
  • Where: Griffith University Logan Campus
  • Time: 2pm-8pm

Places to visit 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 has allocated specific times if you are wanting to be part of his Sensitive Photo times andv his Santa pet photos too.

When: Saturday 25 November – 24 December, 2023

Bookings are required for all photos.

Places to visit Santa in the western suburbs of Brisbane

Here are the details of where you can visit Santa in the western suburbs of Brisbane.

Indooroopilly Shopping Centre 2023

Indooroopilly-photos-with-santa-kids

Is it really Christmas without a special photo with Santa? Capture the perfect family photo from 12 November to Christmas Eve.

For every family that books a photo with Santa this season, Indro will donate $1 to the Children’s Hospital Foundation as a part of our Gifts For Joy campaign to support families and kids in need. When visiting Santa World, each child will receive a token to place in Santa’s red mailbox located inside the maze. This will help them tally their donations and share the message of giving with your child/children. After your photo with Santa, each child will receive a little treat.

Online bookings are essential. Please note that these sessions book out quickly.  

When: 12 November – 24 December, 2023

Find the details of getting your best Santa photos Indooroopilly Shopping Centre here.

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.

When: 13 November – 24 December, 2023

You can read more about Santa photos at Springfield Orion Central here.

Bardon Community Carols | Bardon

Here’s yet another great Christmas Carols in Brisbane event! Bring your own picnic blanket and head along to this community carols event with Christmas choir and Santa! Enjoy the Rotary sausage sizzle and refreshments available for purchase.   

  • When: Saturday 25 November, 2023
  • Where: Brisbane Botanic Gardens
  • Time: 2pm to 4.30pm

Find out more here.

Centenary Community Carols | Middle Park

The Centenary Christmas Carols is a family-friendly evening with food vans, jumping castle, Santa’s sleigh, carols, live nativity scene, and fireworks. Plus this year you can test your skills on the mobile ninja warrior obstacle course.

  • When: Sunday 3 December 2023
  • Where: Peter Lightfoot Oval, Middle Park
  • Time: 3:30pm – 8:15pm

Keep up to date on the event here.

FREE Santa photos for families and pets at Ripley

Santa’s reindeers requested some R&R before they pull an all-nighter global marathon, so this year Santa will be arriving on an e-scooter with a sack full of lollies for the kids! Santa will pose for FREE photos with families and pets at Ripley Town Centre on the 25th November 2023.

Find out more here.

All the best places to see Santa this year!

Did we list your favourite place to visit Santa? If not, let us know in comments and we will try to update our article with your suggestion!

Check out this article if you are wondering what to tell your kids if they ask ‘Is Santa Claus real?’

Photo of author

Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, a publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children.  Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

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