FAMILIES LINED UP at the heart of Weberstown Mall as children eagerly waited to meet Santa Claus and get photos with him.
One of them was Karen Anaya, who has been a Stockton residence since 2002. She and her partner Ayana Anaya brought their three-month old twins to the mall to meet Santa for a photo with him.
“I have been coming to the mall to see Santa ever since I moved to Stockton, this is a tradition I want to try and have for our children too,” Karen Anaya said.
Santa is located at the center court of the mall Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and reservations can be made in advance on the mall’s website to avoid long waiting lines.
While the photos with Santa need to be paid for, meeting him at the mall is free.
“I have been coming to the mall to see Santa ever since I moved to Stockton, this is a tradition I want to try and have for our children too.” Karen Anaya, Weberstown Mall visitor
Allen Young, who dressed up as the Santa this year, said he has been playing the part for nearly 15 years now. Young dressed up as the Santa part time at the mall last year but returned to the gig full time for this year’s holiday season.
“The little kids right here — their smiles — I do this [dress up as Santa] for that every year,” Young said.
Sofia Moreno, 3, waits in line for her turn to meet Santa Claus during holiday season at Weberstown Mall in Stockton on Dec. 8, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Allen Young, dressed as Santa Claus, puts Sofia Moreno, 3, in his lap for photos during holiday season at Weberstown Mall in Stockton on Dec. 8, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Sofia Moreno, 3, sits on Santa’s lap for photos at Weberstown Mall in Stockton on Dec. 8, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Sofia Moreno, 3, wears reindeer shoes for her visit with Santa Claus at Weberstown Mall in Stockton on Friday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Sofia Moreno, 3, holds a soft toy as she poses for photos with Santa Claus during holiday season at Weberstown Mall in Stockton on Dec. 8, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Karen Anaya (right) holds her daughter Melanie Anaya as they wait for photos with Santa Claus during holiday season at Weberstown Mall in Stockton on Dec. 8, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Ayana Anaya lifts up her daughter Melanie Anaya, as Allen Young, dressed as Santa, adjusts the child’s dress in preparation for a photo at Weberstown Mall in Stockton on Dec. 8, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Allen Young, dressed as Santa Claus, takes photos with 2-month-old twins Melanie Anaya (left) and Mateo Anaya at Weberstown Mall in Stockton on Dec. 8, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
Besides Santa for the regular mallgoers, Weberstown has been hosting a range of holiday events this year, including “Sensitive Santa” for visitors with sensory issues concerning the lights or the sounds, enabling them to visit Santa in the mornings before the mall opened for shoppers.
Another such event made the visit to Santa inclusive of furry friends, allowing families to bring in pets for photos with Santa.
The mall staff noted that the families who come in for photos before Dec. 15, receive a promotional offer of a free 5×7 photo with Santa.
Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.
