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November 30, 2024 3:30 PM

Photos: 44th annual Hmong New Year festival in St. Paul draws thousands

hmong new year celebration — Emma Lee, 9, of Lino Lakes plays the ball tossing game Pov Pob during the Hmong New Year celebration event at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

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Minnesota’s Hmong community is coming together this weekend for the annual Hmong New Year celebration in St. Paul.

It’s the 44th anniversary of the New Year festivities, which are expected to draw 25,000 to 30,000 people over two days.

hmong new year celebration — Attendees play the ball tossing game Pov Pob during the Hmong New Year celebration event at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

hmong new year celebration — Attendees browse through balls available for sale for the ball tossing game Pov Pob during the Hmong New Year celebration event at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

Minnesota is home to one of the largest communities of Hmong people in the country, at more than 94,000, and St. Paul’s Hmong New Year celebration is one of the biggest Hmong events in the U.S.

Attendees often take the festival as a chance to wear their best traditional clothing, eat Hmong food and play ball-toss, a courtship game.

hmong new year celebration — Young dancers perform on stage during the Hmong New Year celebration event at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

hmong new year celebration — Attendees watch performances on stage during the Hmong New Year celebration event at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

The festival includes the Miss Hmong Minnesota Pageant, which offers performances throughout both days. The court is set to be crowned around 6 or 7 p.m. Sunday.

hmong new year celebration — A vendor serves a variety of juices during the Hmong New Year celebration event at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

hmong new year celebration — Attendees eat traditional Hmong foods during the Hmong New Year celebration event at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

The Minnesota Hmong New Year runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Tickets are available at the door for $12 cash or $12.45 on card; kids under 42” tall and people 65 and older can get in for free.

hmong new year celebration — A group of women wear ornate and traditional clothing during the Hmong New Year celebration event at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

hmong new year celebration — Attendees fill the halls of the RiverCentre during the Hmong New Year celebration event in St. Paul on Nov. 30, 2024.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

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