Downtown Stockton Lights Up the Halloween Nights

Posted on November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 by Intern DSA

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By Andy Nguyen

Halloween is a special day where people get to live out the night by collecting tons of candy and spooking out in their wildest costumes. This year, Downtown Stockton was the catalyst for many events that both kids and their accompanying adults could enjoy together. Let me tell you about 3 spooktacular nights which Downtown Stockton Alliance staff participated in this season.

Main Street Monster Mash

Main Street Monster Mash kicked off the first Halloween event! Located at the Courthouse Plaza, it boasted exciting activities for kids and adults.

For the adults, local vendors were there to provide high quality information about their services & resources, many of which support parents and families. For the kids, there was a ton of food & candy! What made this special was that the Underground Arcade was free for the whole event!

Normally there is an entrance fee, but for this day it was free, open to the public. Kids of all ages got to enjoy the arcade, from Skee-balling, to shooting hoops, to 1st person car racing games.

This was a perfect night to start off the Halloween experience here in Downtown Stockton.

Date: Friday, October 24th, 2025

Location: Courthouse Plaza, 306 E. Main Street

Trunk or Treat

Next, the SUSD Police Department hosted a safe Trunk or Treat event, held just a few days after Monster Mash. Inside the gated area of the Weber Point Events Center, community partners formed a large circle with bewildering decorated trunks for children to line up and enjoy.

The wicked, chilling designs and the incredible, ghastly costumes worn by attendees were easily the best I’ve seen in a long time. Combined with the eerie night, lights emanating the area made the atmosphere incredible. This was by far the most packed event of the year, with the line of trick-or-treaters stretching nearly half a mile around the block!

Recognizing that not everyone would make it inside before closing, the Police Department took the commendable initiative of walking the line to personally hand out candy to those still waiting, a gesture that underscored the immense scale and community spirit of the evening.

Date: Monday, October 27th, 2025

Location: Weber Point Events Center, 221 N Center St

Trick or Suite

The final Halloween event was the successful debut of Trick or Suite! Held at the Adventist Health Arena, children and their accompanying adults enjoyed a unique experience: ascending to the top floor to explore haunted decorated suites casted above the ground floor. Various partners filled these suites with candy and daunting decor.

This special event allowed many attendees—who would not otherwise have the chance—to tour the arena’s fancy, high-end suites and enjoy their premium vantage point.

Beyond the trick-or-treating, fun activities such as photo booths and drawing stations were also available.

What made the biggest impression was the view from the suites, looking down onto the arena floor, which was brilliantly illuminated by a magnificent array of LED colors.

With its dazzling suites, sweet treats, and lively atmosphere, Trick or Suite was a fantastic way to conclude Downtown Stockton’s Halloween adventures.

Date: Thursday, October 30th 2025

Location: Adventist Health Arena, 248 W Fremont St, Stockton, CA 95203

The Place for Your Next Halloween Destination

Downtown Stockton truly served as the cauldron for a wicked array of Halloween events that delighted both children and their accompanying adults. Having personally experienced just three of the many celebrations hosted, I am already looking forward to next year! Whether you’re a child aiming to fill their bucket full of candy or an adult seeking a safe and exciting Trick-or-Treat destination, Downtown Stockton is the place to be. Now that I’ve shared what Downtown has to offer, I hope to see you all at next year’s Halloween spooktaculars!

Information

Monster Mash | Main Street Youth + Family Services

🌐Website: https://mainstreetyfs.org/

📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetyfs/

📘Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parentsbychoice/

Trunk or Treat | Stockton Unified School District, SUSD PD

🌐Website: https://www.stocktonusd.net/

📸Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/stocktonunified/

📘Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stocktonunified

Trick or Suite | StocktonLive

🌐Website: https://www.stocktonlive.com/

📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stocktonlive/

📘Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventisthealtharena

The Time When CSC Live 2025 Was Held in Downtown Stockton

Posted on October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by Intern DSA

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By Andy Nguyen

This year’s Annual CodeStack Conference Live took place here in Downtown Stockton. It is a three-day event where each year, hundreds of educators from California and beyond come to CSC Live to network, learn, and grow in the work they do for students. This event was a great achievement for Codestack – with many attendees not only learning and networking with like-minded peers, but also experiencing the highlights of Downtown Stockton.

CodeStack Supporting Today’s Education

CodeStack is a high-tech software development organization which operates as a department of the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE), a public agency.

CodeStack is focused on web, mobile, and software application development; graphic and multimedia design; and video production. It works with public agencies across the state and nation and has developed over 20 SaaS (software-as-a-service) applications used by over 5,000 school districts nationwide.

“We are true to our educator roots and it is part of our mission to serve education and our community.” – Donna Williamson, Project Management Office and Support Services Director.

The Beauty of CSC Live 2025

Williamson expresses how life-changing connections with peers can fuel pathways for creating a better education: “We get feedback from our partners throughout the year, but the conference is a great way for us to really get to know each other. This understanding of education and the needs of our schools helps us to update our products.”

Hosting CSC Live 2025 in Downtown Stockton

Hosting the conference in Downtown Stockton holds significant meaning to CodeStack, as this is their hometown. It provides an opportunity to showcase what Stockton has to offer.

Many attendees got to walk the Joan Darrah promenade neighboring the Weber Point Waterfront throughout the day. In the evenings, they got to relax and have fun through the various food, drinks, activities, and fireworks held at the Banner Island Ballpark. At the end of each day, they could walk back to their rooms at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel, a mere few steps away from everything listed above.

Additionally, a ceremonial groundbreaking event was held during the final day of CSC Live, where community leaders and elected officials joined the SJCOE to kick off the restoration of 201 N. California Street in Downtown Stockton—the future headquarters of CodeStack and CodeStack Academy.

History in the Books

CSC Live 2025 had 600 attendees from all across California experience the beautiful highlights of Downtown Stockton, home of CodeStack. From educational workshops, peer-to-peer networking, and the fun end-of-the-day activities held each day, this conference was a success and one to remember.

Information

CodeStack

🌐Website: https://codestackacademy.org/home

📸Instagram: @codestacksj

📘Facebook: @codestackstockton

San Joaquin County of Education

🌐Website: https://www.sjcoe.org/services-and-support/codestack

📸Instagram: @sjcofficeofeducation

📘Facebook: @thesjcoe

Celebrating World Art Break Day in Downtown Stockton

Posted on September 16, 2025September 16, 2025 by Intern DSA

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By Andy Nguyen

Art Break Day is an annual, worldwide event on the first Friday of September where free pop-up art-making stations appear in public spaces, encouraging people to take a pause in life, create astonishing art for free, and connect with their communities.

Art-Lasting Impact in Stockton

World Art Break Day was founded in 2011, with 2013 being the 1st time it was celebrated in Stockton. Hosted by Joy Neas, the event has landscaped this great city with its various locations throughout the years.

It was 1st celebrated at Victory Park in 2013 and since then has been hosted at different locations throughout the Stockton, many of which have been in or near Downtown – the Children’s Museum in 2016, The Cesar Chavez Central Library in 2018, Courthouse Plaza in 2024, and finally this year at The Mexican Heritage Center.

A Day Full of Arts & Crafts

Those who came to celebrate this worldwide event at The Mexican Heritage Center were greeted by Stockton Artists Joy Neas and JoAnn Sagaral with endless amounts of FREE art supplies and tables ready for anyone to create the art to their heart’s desire.

Individuals had the opportunity to create art that meant the world to them, something Neas believes is the beauty of life, “Art is the best part of life. It gives fulfillment and peace.”

Maintaining Tradition

Art Break Day is an annual, worldwide event that encourages people to take a pause, create art for free, and connect with their communities. Downtown Stockton continues its legacy in honoring this event and many more to come.

Check out our Instagram post about the event here.

Information

Art Break Day: September 6th, 2025, and the 1st Friday in September every year

This year’s location was: Mexican Heritage Center & Gallery, 111 S. Sutter Street, Stockton, CA

Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00AM – 2:00PM

Instagram: @mexicanheritagecenter

Facebook: @mexicanheritagecenter

Artist: Joy Neas @stocktonartist

My amazing 3-month Downtown Stockton Internship experience

Posted on August 23, 2025August 23, 2025 by Intern DSA

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By: Catalina F.G.

This week, we have a farewell blog from Catalina Franco-Gomez, the DSA’s recent Stocktonian intern:

Hey everyone!

I am Catalina Franco-Gomez aka Mz Bling✨and I’m a proud Stocktonian. I am a first-generation university student at the University of the Pacific. I am studying in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Media. I work for University of the Pacific Athletics as a marketer and street team member. I also volunteered for the live TEDXUOP event that took place in Spring of 2025. My role was marketer, social media content handler, and receptionist. And of course, I worked for Downtown Stockton Alliance as a marketing intern for Summer 2025 and won’t forget this experience! Let me tell you more!

What are my roles?

During my amazing experience, I had many roles and duties. All are fun and exciting, I promise. As a photographer, I got to go around Downtown and take pictures, of nature, people, sites, and events. As well as businesses helping them reach their audiences. I was also the merch model. As a drone driver, even though I was just a beginner, I got the hang of controlling one, and got to take shots and video above downtown. I attended events as a DSA representative with my other wonderful intern partners and sell merch while giving out our giveaways! For the social media aspect, I got to repost and create new ones for events and highlighting businesses in our area. I even got to be a journalist for writing blogs and information about events and businesses. I also got to create videos about attending events and to make everyone aware what was happening in Downtown. They are called Intern Adventures and can be found on our IG, FB, and YouTube!

Let’s not forget

I want to deeply thank the Downtown Stockton Alliance for this wonderful, exciting opportunity that I got to experience, in just 3 months! Everyone in the DSA was very professional, polite, and welcoming. A real business and supporting the city, feeling. Because of this opportunity I got to experience all the great things that I did! I learned things that I never tried before and faced some challenging ones.

Thank you and SHOUT OUT to DOWNTOWN STOCKTON ALLIANCE ! One of these days I will drop by to see what’s happening✌️

The DSA wishes Catalina all the best on her next adventure. She has been a wonderful help to our organization over the last 3 months. Thanks for everything, Catalina! Cheers and hope to see you again!

You can see some of Catalina’s Intern Adventures on the DSA Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube pages!

If you are interested in an internship with the DSA, contact [email protected].

Golden Rose Barbershop has all your barber needs✂️

Posted on August 18, 2025August 18, 2025 by Intern DSA

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By: Catalina F.G.

Cut, Snip, Raze

The Golden Rose Barbershop Co was established in 1917. They have two locations, here, in Downtown Stockton and in midtown on Miracle Mile. They are the oldest barbershop in Stockton, CA, where new trends meet vintage history. When you walk inside, it has an antique feeling to it. They have animal decor, abstract paintings, and exotic plants. The staff also has a welcoming vibe and are ready to be your new barber! They offer haircuts and shaves. Let’s not forget they specialize in men’s luxury grooming.

Congratulations

This year, Golden Rose Barbershop has won 1st place in Downtown Stockton’s 4th of July business decoration contest. They had a very large USA flag hung up in their shop. They won numerous prizes for being first place including the blog you’re reading now!

Over the years, Golden Rose Barbershop has taken 1st place multiple times in our holiday decoration competitions! The photos above illustrate a few of their beautiful decor displays.

Services

Golden Rose offers the following services:

Luxury Beard Trim – $40
Luxury Haircut – $45
Luxury Shave – $65
Luxury Haircut/Beard Trim – $75
Luxury Shave/Haircut – $100

If you want to feel like a dapper gent from yesteryear, book an appointment at Golden Rose to experience their stylish and luxurious services.

Did you know?

Golden Rose Barbershop accepts walk-ins and credit cards, cash, and apple pay. They are wheelchair accessible, street parking and validated parking available, bike parking available, customer restrooms, and provides free Wi-Fi. They also have online booking available now! Saturdays are appointments only.

Book Online Here: The Golden Rose Barbershop Co

Information

Location: 15 S San Joaquin St, Stockton, Ca 95202
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:30AM – 6:00PM
Instagram: @thegoldenrosebarbershop
Facebook: The Golden Barbershop Co
Book Online: Book here

My 4-Month Journey: Reflecting on an Unforgettable Internship Experience

Posted on August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 by Intern DSA

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by Olivia Lee

This week, we have a farewell blog from Olivia Lee, the DSA’s recent Korea WEST exchange program intern:

Hi everyone!

My name is Olivia Lee, and I’m originally from South Korea where I studied event planning and marketing. During my studies, I became fascinated with the United States – home to the world’s largest entertainment market – and dreamed of experiencing this industry firsthand. That curiosity led me to discover the WEST program, which opened an amazing opportunity to work as a marketing intern with the Downtown Stockton Alliance. What started as a big decision turned into one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, and I wanted to share some reflections on these past four months.

Learning, Growing, and Finding My Place in Stockton

Before arriving in Stockton, I’ll be honest – I was nervous. Moving alone to an unfamiliar place felt overwhelming and having focused primarily on events and entertainment in my studies, I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d contribute to DSA’s work. Those initial worries quickly disappeared once I started working with the team. From day one, everyone made me feel genuinely supported and included. The warmth and kindness of my colleagues created such a comfortable environment that I actually looked forward to coming to work each day.

The role challenged me in the best possible ways. I got to try things I’d never done before – creating Instagram reels, operating drones for video content, working at community events through tabling, and so much more. Sure, there was definitely a learning curve at first, and some tasks felt intimidating. But as I gained confidence, I found myself genuinely enjoying these new challenges. Each project taught me something different, whether it was technical skills, creative problem-solving, or simply how to communicate more effectively with diverse audiences.

Gratitude for an Amazing Journey

These four months in Stockton have given me experiences and connections I never could have imagined when I first arrived. I’ve met incredible people who have become more than just colleagues – they’ve been so supportive and helped me learn so much about working in this field. Through this internship, I’ve discovered new strengths and possibilities within myself. I’ve learned that stepping outside your comfort zone, even when it’s scary, can lead to the most rewarding experiences. The confidence I’ve gained here, the skills I’ve developed, and the memories I’ve made will stay with me forever.

To everyone at DSA and in the Stockton community who welcomed me with open arms – thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve made this journey unforgettable, and I hope our paths cross again someday. Until then, I’ll carry all the lessons you’ve taught me as I continue my career back home. Thank you for everything! 감사합니다!

The DSA wishes Olivia all the best on her next adventure. She has been a wonderful help to our organization over the last 4 months. Thanks for everything, Olivia! Cheers and hope to see you again!

You can see some of Olivia’s Intern Adventures on the DSA Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube pages!

To learn more about the Korea WEST exchange program, click here: https://www.icceusa.com/programs-in-the-usa/korea-west/.

If you are interested in an internship with the DSA, contact [email protected].

The best food cravings spot in Downtown Stockton: The Kitchen @ Plaza Perks

Posted on August 7, 2025August 8, 2025 by Intern DSA

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BY ANDY NGUYEN

Lunchtime Cravings, Community Impact

The Kitchen @ Plaza Perks is serving the community in more ways than ever before! Located inside Courthouse Plaza in Downtown Stockton, it offers a variety of options to satisfy your cravings, such as Carne Asada tacos, burritos, pizza, hamburgers, and their special Main Street House Fries.

In addition to satiating your hunger, they are dedicated to supporting youth. Launched as a social enterprise, it was founded by Main Street Youth Family and Services, whose goal is to empower youth through various outlets. Young staff members are involved in day-to-day operations, including the shop’s display, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in a real-world environment.

Where Talent and Passion Come Together

This year, The Kitchen @ Plaza Perks placed 2nd in Downtown Stockton’s 4th of July Decoration Contest. Blending in non-traditional decor items with an array of holiday-themed colors, it delivered a unique, enticing view that celebrated the spirit of the holiday. This also reflected the youth staff’s creative contributions, which gives the store a personal touch that customers notice and admire.

How One Purchase Goes a Long Way

By making a purchase of at least $5 dollars from a Courthouse Plaza business, you’re admitted free entry to the Underground Arcade. Here you can play an abundance of classic arcade games from pinball machines, street fighter games, air hockey, free-throw basketball, and more! A quick bite to eat before indulging the arcade is the perfect way to spend your day while supporting the community in Downtown Stockton.

The Newest Way to Enjoy The Kitchen

Recently, their business has expanded into online ordering. You can order ahead of time and skip the line; who doesn’t like that? Whether you’re an early bird needing breakfast fuel or craving a lunchtime must-have, this is a perfect spot to visit in Downtown Stockton. Support local business and order now!

Order Online Here: The Kitchen @ Plaza Perks

Information

Location: 306 E. Main Street, Suite 203, Stockton, CA 95202

Summer Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00AM – 2:00PM

Website: The Kitchen @ Plaza Perks

Instagram: @thekitchenatplazaperks

Facebook: The Kitchen at Plaza Perks

Order Online: The Kitchen @ Plaza Perks

☃️Christmas in July: Downtown Stockton

Posted on July 22, 2025July 28, 2025 by Intern DSA

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By: Catalina F.G.

Intro

❄️We all know it’s never too early to start shopping for those Christmas gifts. Downtown Stockton is ready to announce that this year we are celebrating Christmas in July. Not just for one day but three and it is FREE admission to attend!

What’s Happening

This year’s event will be taking place at the Mexican Heritage Center in Downtown Stockton California. There will be live music, delicious foods and drinks, a variety of vendors, paintings and art, unique gifts, collectable items, and so much more! This year they are featuring artwork made by Albino Perez from Guatemala.

According to Gracie Madrid, Executive Director of the Mexican Heritage Center & Gallery, this event was started because, “People thought it would be fun to celebrate Christmas in July.”

Why You Should Come

Madrid shared that most Christmas in July attendees “are very happy in seeing all the unique handmade items that you won’t be able to find in stores.”

This is a perfect event to celebrate numerous things, from summertime, to Christmas vibes, to just coming out and having fun with family, friends, and community. With their inviting and welcoming atmosphere, the Mexican Heritage Center is the right place to enjoy any celebration. There will be plenty of entertainment for the whole fam.

Madrid is excited about the event because it will contribute to “making money for our Mexican Heritage Center and Gallery, so we can keep our doors open to the community.”

Come out and support the unique vendors and your community. Make sure to start grabbing those Christmas shopping lists and stop by this event. Don’t forget to visit our stand, the Downtown Stockton Alliance; we will be there with free giveaways and merch for sale!

Do not miss out on this event, it will be going on for 3 days straight! Starts on July the 24th at 11am! Hope to see everyone there!!

Event Details

July 24, July 25, and July 26th
11am to 3pm

Location

111 S Sutter Street, Stockton CA, 95202
Mexican Heritage Center
Social Media( IG) @mexicanheritagecenter

Colors of Stockton

Posted on July 7, 2025July 8, 2025 by Intern DSA

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Artist: Konekham “Koniack” Lathipanya

Location: Coy Parking Garage

Description: The mural “Beautiful Struggle” designed and created by artist Konekham Lathipanya, depicts portraits of a Black, Asian, and Latina woman depicted with intertwining colors. The artist presents the piece as his interpretation of the diversity of Stockton. This artwork is meant to celebrate our differences and highlight our many similarities. This event is a testament to the power of collaboration between artists and the community and demonstrates the shared commitment to enriching public spaces that define our community.

Konekham “Koniack” Lathipanya is a Lao muralist and tattoo artist based in Stockton, California. His work emphasizes diversity and racial justice, with a focus on Southeast Asian art.

Veteran’s Mural

Posted on July 7, 2025July 7, 2025 by Intern DSA

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Artist: Flavia Grose – Artist/US Navy Veteran, Desert Storm

Project by Leadership Stockton of 2025

Location: Inside Adventist health arena, Stockton CA

This mural is in partnership with Downtown Stockton Alliance, ASM Global, Michael’s Sweets, Felicita’s Wine, Stockton Marine Corps Club, American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion U.S., and Board of Supervisors.