Overview:
Fresno, home to California’s largest Hmong population, will host the country’s biggest Hmong New Year celebration at the Fresno Fairgrounds from Dec. 28 to 31.
Fresno’s four-day Hmong New Year celebration is set to showcase a vibrant mix of traditional dances in hand-embroidered attire, authentic Hmong cuisine, cultural ceremonies honoring rich heritages, and lively competitions in cornhole, badminton, and volleyball.
The celebration, organized by Hmong Inc. for its second year, will take place from Dec. 28 to 31 at the Fresno County Fairgrounds, running daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Hmong New Year celebration, a centuries-old tradition, serves as a vibrant expression of Hmong culture and community. In its homeland origins across Southeast Asia, the New Year was closely tied to the harvest season, marking a time of gratitude, renewal, and family unity.
Toulu Thao, CEO and president of The Hmong, Inc., said that he and his team have been preparing for Hmong New Year since late September, blending modern influences with traditional practices from Hmong, Lao, and other cultures.
“I want to make sure that this whole celebration leaves a memorable souvenir for everyone,” said Thao. “I also want to take this year to the next level, meaning that we don’t just celebrate and then go home and that’s it. I want everyone to go home with a good memory.”
This year, Thao said that the celebration will kick off with a parade featuring 30 different groups on opening day, seven different bands, and a marketplace filled with artisanal crafts, clothing, and jewelry. Visitors can experience traditional performances and rituals honoring ancestors, bringing centuries-old stories to life.
The celebration will feature a diverse array of Hmong, Lao, and other cultural dishes, including sticky rice, barbecue pork, and popular items like Thai beef salad and papaya salad, along with classic favorites such as Khao Poon from Lao cuisine.
As the largest Hmong New Year celebration in the U.S., the event has previously attracted over 100,000 attendees from Minnesota, Utah, and across California in a single year.
The celebration offers younger generations the chance to reconnect with their roots and provides non-Hmong visitors an opportunity to learn about the traditions, struggles, and contributions of this vibrant community.
This includes young people participating in various competitions, such as the annual Miss Hmong Grand International pageant, performances from around 400 dancers, and sports competitions.
Thao expects attendance to be similar to, if not higher than, previous years, noting that last year’s turnout was impacted by limited publicity.More information on the 2024 Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration in Fresno is being posted on The Hmong Inc’s Facebook page.
