All Programs

Break
Dance
Battle

Introduced in 2022 and rapidly grown into one of the festival's most electrifying attractions — a dynamic blend of athleticism, artistry, and raw creative energy.

Since 2022
Format 1v1 Battles
Draws From Bay · Sac · Valley
Prize Pool Cash Awards

Raw Energy.
Real Stakes.

Breakdancing, introduced in 2022, has rapidly grown into one of the most popular and exciting attractions, captivating audiences with its energy and creativity.

Its dynamic performances and the unique blend of athleticism and artistry have made it a centerpiece of the event, drawing enthusiastic crowds year after year. The cypher is open, the music is loud, and the judging is fair.

As the program continues to grow, dancers from some of the biggest dance communities all over the Bay Area, the Sacramento region, and Central Valley attend Sacramento Hmong New Year for an opportunity to win awards and cash prizes — and to plant their flag in front of one of the biggest cultural crowds in Northern California.

At a Glance

  • Established2022
  • Format1v1 Knockout
  • DivisionsYouth · Open
  • Round Length60 Seconds
  • Judging3-Judge Panel
  • Battle DaySaturday

How the
Bracket Works.

01

Open Cypher

The day kicks off with an open cypher — a free-form session where dancers warm up, scout the competition, and earn early respect.

02

Prelims (Top Rock)

All registered dancers perform a top-rock prelim. Judges select the top 16 to advance to the bracket.

03

Top 16 Bracket

Single-elimination 1v1 battles. Two rounds per matchup, 60 seconds each. Judges decide the winner by majority vote.

04

Semifinals

The final four. Three rounds per matchup. Stakes rise, crowd energy peaks, and dancers pull out their most refined sets.

05

The Final

Best-of-five rounds. Cash on the line. Whoever takes the final battle takes the title and the SHNY belt.

06

Judging Criteria

Foundation, musicality, originality, execution, and battle IQ. The strongest dancer — not just the flashiest — takes home the win.

Saturday

Ready to Battle?

Registration for the 2026 Break Dance Battle opens October 2026.

Registration Closed