A formal evening of dinner, awards, and recognition. An opportunity to celebrate the community, sponsors, scholars, and volunteers who make the Sacramento Hmong New Year possible — every year, year after year.
Every year, on the eve of the festival weekend, the SHNY board hosts a formal banquet — a sit-down dinner that brings together the community, sponsors, civic leaders, and the people who quietly carry the festival forward.
The banquet is more than a ceremony. It's where scholarship recipients meet the donors who funded their year. Where long-time sponsors are recognized for a decade of partnership. Where retiring board members are honored, and incoming leaders are introduced. Where the work behind the festival — usually invisible — becomes visible for one evening.
Dinner is multi-course. Programming includes keynote remarks, awards presentations, cultural performances, and live music. By the end of the night, what began as a formal event has become a homecoming.
The banquet's awards program honors the people and organizations whose contributions — financial, cultural, and personal — keep this festival alive. Each year, we recognize honorees across six categories, selected by the SHNY board with input from the broader community.
Individuals whose work has shaped the Hmong American community in California.
A long-standing sponsor whose support has been transformative for SHNY's mission.
Recognition of the year's Academic Scholars recipients and their planned contributions.
The volunteer whose dedication exemplifies what makes the festival possible.
An artist, elder, or educator preserving and passing on Hmong cultural heritage.
The board's highest honor, awarded selectively to recognize a lifetime of service.
Banquet seating is limited to 400 guests. Tables seat 10 — purchase individual seats or reserve a full table for your organization, family, or sponsor group.
Guests arrive, mingle, and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and welcome cocktails. Photographs with the SHNY board available throughout the reception hour.
The board president opens the program. A cultural performance featuring traditional music and dance follows, setting the tone for the evening.
Award honorees are announced and recognized. Scholarship recipients are introduced. Donors are acknowledged. Keynote remarks from a featured speaker.
A live performance closes the formal program. Guests are invited to remain for dessert, coffee, and continued conversation. Open dance floor.
Guests depart with a welcome gift and the commemorative banquet program. Festival continues the following morning at the main grounds.
Dinner not included at this event. We recommend you seek dietary options elsewhere prior to the event.
Vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free options available. Indicate dietary needs at the time of ticket purchase — at least two weeks before the event.
Reserved Table and Premier Patron tickets include guaranteed seating placement. Individual tickets are placed at open tables in the order received.
Professional photography throughout the evening. Photos available to guests by email within two weeks after the event. Social-media-ready images included.
Refunds available through October 31. After November 1, tickets are non-refundable but transferable — your seat can be given to another attendee.
Complimentary valet parking. Venue is fully ADA accessible. Reach out to the banquet committee in advance for any specific accessibility accommodations.