32 Places for Pet Photos with Santa in Melbourne (2026)

Updated 7 November 2026

Most Melbourne shopping centres run dedicated pet sessions with Santa in the evenings, from Monday 9 November to mid-December 2026. You’ll need to book, Westfield centres don’t take pet walk-ins, and the popular evenings are filling fast. We checked every listing below against the centre’s or organiser’s own booking page on 6 November 2026.

Short on time? Here are the quick picks:

• Free: Santa Paws at Burwood Village on Saturday 5 December, and the Hobsons Bay council Santa visits in Newport, Williamstown and Altona.
• Starting soonest: Westfield Fountain Gate from Monday 9 November, then Westfield Southland and Highpoint from Tuesday 10 November.
• More than cats and dogs: Greensborough Plaza and Waverley Gardens also take birds, guinea pigs and rabbits, and Pacific Werribee welcomes reptiles.
• Outdoors: Santa on the Beach at Brighton Dog Beach.
• Lowest prices: Watergardens and Craigieburn Central from $28.95.

Planning photos for the kids too? See our guide to Santa photos in Melbourne.

Pet Santa photos in Melbourne CBD

1. Myer Melbourne Santa Paws

Myer’s Santa Paws sessions are for dogs and cats, in 10-minute bookings.

• Session type: dedicated pet sessions
• Pets: dogs and cats
• Cost: bookings are free, and photos cost from $33 for two prints
• Where: Level 7, Myer Melbourne, 314-336 Bourke Street
• Book: Myer Santaland
• Read more: Our review of Myer Santaland 2026

2. David Jones Melbourne Santa Pawtraits

David Jones runs Santa Pawtraits alongside its standard Santa photos.

• Session type: Santa Pawtraits (dates not listed)
• Santa season: Saturday 7 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
• Cost: packages from $30.85
• Where: 310 Bourke Street, Melbourne
• More info: David Jones Santa photos

Pet Santa photos in Melbourne’s north

3. Greensborough Plaza

Greensborough takes more than cats and dogs. Birds, guinea pigs and rabbits are welcome too, up to three pets per sitting.

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: selected evenings, Monday 16 November to Wednesday 16 December 2026, from 5.15pm
• Pets: dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and rabbits, up to three per sitting
• Cost: packs from $34
• Meeting point: the Level 1 entrance at Car Park B
• Book: Christmas Memories, Greensborough Plaza

4.  Westfield Plenty Valley, Mill Park

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: selected evenings, Monday 16 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026, mostly Monday to Wednesday plus some weekends
• Meeting point: the outdoor dining precinct near 105 Korean BBQ
• Book: Westfield Plenty Valley (online booking essential)

5. Craigieburn Central

Craigieburn’s pet sessions run in December.

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 December 2026
• Cost: packages from $28.95
• Where: Christmas Village, Big W Quadrant
• Book: Craigieburn Central

Pet Santa photos in Melbourne’s south and south-east

6. Westfield Fountain Gate, Narre Warren

Fountain Gate starts earliest, with pet evenings from Monday 9 November. Dress-ups are encouraged.

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: selected weeknights, Monday 9 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026, plus Saturday 28 November
• Pets: dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals
• Book: Westfield Fountain Gate (no pet walk-ins)

7. Westfield Southland, Cheltenham

Staff meet you at the entrance and walk you to the set. Carry small pets on escalators, or use the lift.

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: selected evenings, Tuesday 10 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026, mostly Monday to Wednesday plus some weekends
• Pets: most pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals, on a lead or in a cage
• Meeting point: the entrance at the P1 Yellow Car Park, off Karen Street
• Book: Westfield Southland (no pet walk-ins)

8. Myer Chadstone and Myer Southland Santa Paws

Both stores are listed for Myer’s Santa Paws sessions for dogs and cats. Chadstone Shopping Centre’s own Santa set only allows assistance animals, so this is the pet option at Chadstone.

• Session type: dedicated pet sessions
• Cost: bookings are free, and photos cost from $33 for two prints
• Dates: spots left on 8, 10 and 11 December at Chadstone, and 4, 8, 10 and 11 December at Southland (as of 7 November)
• Where: Level 1, Myer Chadstone, and Level 2, Myer Southland
• Book: Myer Santaland

9.  Waverley Gardens, Mulgrave

Pet nights take dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and rabbits, up to three per sitting, on a lead or in a pen.

• Session type: dedicated pet nights
• When: Saturday 28 November, Monday 30 November to Wednesday 2 December, Saturday 5 December, Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 December, Saturday 12 December and Monday 14 to Wednesday 16 December 2026, from 5pm or 5.30pm
• Cost: packs from $34
• Meeting point: the underground car park entrance near Big W
• Book: Christmas Memories, Waverley Gardens

10. Parkmore Shopping Centre, Keysborough

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: selected evenings, Sunday 29 November to Sunday 13 December 2026
• Where: 317 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough
• Book: Parkmore pet photos

11. Malvern Central

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: Monday to Thursday evenings, Monday 30 November to Thursday 17 December 2026
• Book: Malvern Central pet photos

12. Casey Central, Narre Warren South

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: Monday to Wednesday evenings, Monday 30 November to Wednesday 16 December 2026
• Book: Casey Central pet photos

13. Karingal Hub, Frankston

Pet sessions run after the centre closes, and pets stay on a lead the whole time.

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: selected evenings, Monday 23 November to Saturday 12 December 2026
• Meeting point: the entrance near Jay Jays and Moe & Co
• Book: Karingal Hub

14. Bayside Shopping Centre, Frankston

Bayside’s pet sessions run in the late afternoon, earlier than most centres.

• Session type: dedicated pet sessions
• When: Thursday to Sunday, Thursday 26 November to Friday 11 December 2026
• Book: Bayside pet photos

15. Mornington Central

Mornington Central lists pet photography for 2026, but bookings hadn’t opened when we checked.

• When: 2026 dates not yet announced [LEONARD: check the venue’s site manually before publishing. If it shows nothing for 2026, remove this listing and update the title, H1, meta description and numbering]
• Where: 78 Barkly Street, Mornington
• Book: Scene to Believe

16. Julieanne Perara Photography, Braeside

A photography studio where pets are included in the group price. You get a private five-minute session and three high-res photos.

• Session type: pets welcome in every session
• When: selected days, Saturday 21 November to Saturday 19 December 2026
• Cost: $110 per group, pets included
• Pets: on a lead with a secure collar or harness, handled by adults. Email the studio before booking.
• Where: Factory 1, 5 Graham Daff Boulevard, Braeside
• Book: Julieanne Perara Photography

17. Santa on the Beach, Brighton Dog Beach

A summer Christmas photo by the bay, with the dog in the shot. Sessions run about five minutes, with five photo combinations and an online gallery.

• Session type: dog-friendly outdoor sessions
• Cost: $99 per booking, no booking fees
• Where: Brighton Dog Beach
• Book: Santa on the Beach Pics (the site says 2026 bookings are over 70% full)

Pet Santa photos in Melbourne’s east

18. Westfield Knox, Wantirna South

• Session type: dedicated pet sessions
• When: selected sessions, Thursday 12 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026, including some weekends
• Meeting point: the White car park, near Toyworld
• Book: Westfield Knox (no pet walk-ins)

19. Westfield Doncaster

A staff member meets you at the door and walks you to Santa.

• Session type: dedicated pet sessions
• When: selected sessions, Saturday 14 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026, including weekends
• Meeting point: Valet Parking at the car park entrance on Level 1, near David Jones
• Book: Westfield Doncaster (no pet walk-ins)

20. Chirnside Park Shopping Centre

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: selected evenings, Monday 23 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026, plus Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December
• Where: outside Kmart, 239-241 Maroondah Highway, Chirnside Park
• Book: Chirnside Park Santa photos

21. Santa Paws at Burwood Village

Free Santa photos for dogs and their people, run by the City of Boroondara. No booking needed.

• Session type: free community event
• When: Saturday 5 December 2026, 10am to 3pm
• Pets: dogs on a lead
• Where: Toorak Road at Warrigal Road, Camberwell
• More info: City of Boroondara

22. True Fairies, Croydon

Pets are welcome with any Real Santa booking, but The Real Santa is sold out for 2026. Join the waitlist at events@truefairies.com, or ask about Santa Natale, who uses the same set and photographer.

• Session type: pets welcome in standard sessions
• Where: 13-23 Hull Road, Croydon
• More info: True Fairies

23. Forest Hill Chase

There are no separate pet sessions here, but pets can join your family photo in a standard booking.

• Session type: pets welcome in standard sessions
• When: Saturday 21 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
• Cost: packages from $32.95
• Where: Level 2 near Rebel
• Book: Forest Hill Chase (booking essential)

Pet Santa photos in Melbourne’s west

24. Highpoint, Maribyrnong

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: Monday to Wednesday evenings, Tuesday 10 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026
• Where: The World of Wondermas, Level 2, in front of Kmart
• Book: Highpoint Santa photos

25. Westfield Airport West

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: selected evenings, Saturday 21 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026, including weekends
• Pets: dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals, on a lead or in a cage
• Meeting point: Entry 6, near Aldi
• Book: Westfield Airport West (no pet walk-ins)

26. Watergardens, Taylors Lakes

Pet-only sessions run after the centre closes, and every booking gets a free 6×8 photo.

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: Saturday 21 November, Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November, Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 2 December, Saturday 5 December, Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 December, and Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026. Most weeknights start at 5.30pm and most weekends at 6.30pm.
• Pets: dogs, cats and rabbits, on a lead or in a carrier, one handler per pet
• Cost: packages from $28.95
• Meeting point: the entrance near Nando’s and Cafe Lelunar. You leave the same way after your session.
• Book: Watergardens pet photos

27. Pacific Werribee

Pacific Werribee is one of the few centres that takes reptiles, as long as they “travel well and play nicely”.

• Session type: dedicated pet sessions, outside regular Santa hours
• When: Monday to Wednesday, from Monday 23 November 2026
• Pets: dogs, cats, rabbits and reptiles, on a lead or in a carrier, one handler per pet
• Where: Centre Court outside Kmart
• Book: Pacific Werribee pet photos

28. Woodgrove, Melton

Woodgrove’s Paws & Clause sessions welcome furry, scaly and feathery friends.

• Session type: dedicated pet evenings
• When: Monday to Wednesday evenings, Monday 30 November to Wednesday 9 December 2026
• Where: near Harris Scarfe, 533-555 High Street, Melton
• Book: Woodgrove Santa photos

29. CS Square, Caroline Springs

Dogs, cats and some small animals can join in. Other animals need approval from the photographers and centre management first.

• Session type: pet photography (dates not listed)
• Santa season: Saturday 21 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
• Where: outside Aldi, CS Square
• Book: CS Square

30. Free Santa visits in Hobsons Bay

Hobsons Bay City Council brings Santa to three suburbs, and dogs on a lead are welcome at each one. Photos are free and there’s no booking. You can ask the team for space away from other pets.

• Newport: Saturday 5 December 2026, 10am to 1pm, Paine Reserve
• Williamstown: Saturday 12 December 2026, 12pm to 3pm, Commonwealth Reserve
• Altona: Saturday 19 December 2026, 10am to 1pm, Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade
• More info: Hobsons Bay City Council

31. That Creative Hub, Tullamarine

A 10-minute studio session, with the photos AirDropped to your phone before you leave. Dogs are welcome.

• Session type: pets welcome in every session
• When: selected days, Friday 20 November to Friday 18 December 2026, plus Wednesday evenings on 2 and 16 December
• Cost: $55 per family (non-refundable)
• Where: Factory 7, 62-68 Garden Drive, Tullamarine
• Book: That Creative Hub

32. Paul Simpson Photography, Sunbury

Book your pet in with Santa, or with the Grinch if that suits their personality better.

• Session type: pet sessions with Santa or the Grinch
• When: Friday 27 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
• Where: Target Sunbury
• Book: Paul Simpson Photography

Tips for pet photos with Santa

• Book early. Westfield pet sessions don’t take walk-ins, and weekend evenings fill first.
• Arrive at the meeting point, not the Santa set. Most centres meet you at an outside entrance and walk you in.
• Bring a lead or carrier, poo bags and a few treats. Most centres ask that pets stay on a lead or in a carrier the whole time.
• Carry small pets on escalators, or use the lift.
• Check which animals are allowed before you book. Most centres take dogs, cats and rabbits, and only some take birds, guinea pigs or reptiles.
• Assistance animals are welcome at any session at Pacific Werribee and Watergardens, and they’re the only animals allowed on Chadstone’s set.

FAQ

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