About Us
Celebrating a tradition
Our Story
The Hmong New Year is a special holiday for our community, as it is a time for us to come together and celebrate our cultural heritage. This national holiday is only observed by Hmong people all around the world, as it holds great significance in preserving our traditions and customs. Celebrated in November, our festivities not only signify the conclusion of the harvest season but also mark the commencement of a new year.
Humble Beginnings
The history of the New Year celebration traces back to China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam where the Hmong gathered in their homes to give thanks to their ancestors and God for blessing them throughout the year. The first night of celebration begins with an in-house ritual to call back the wandering souls of every past family member to reunite with the household. It has been a time for people to meet, enjoy their time away from the harvest field, and showcase their talents.
The very first Wausau Hmong New Year was held in the early 1980s when just a few families of Hmong refugees from Thailand settled in Wausau. Since 1986, the Wausau Area Hmong New Year, Inc has progressed with involvement from not just the Hmong community, but from the efforts of community leaders, businesses and sponsors working together.
Each year, the New Year continues to bring in 5,000-7,000 people to support both the celebration and local businesses, and has positively impacted the Wausau area.
Celebration of the Hmong New Year in this country isn’t always easy. It takes time and requires a group of dedicated volunteers striving together to coordinate an event that shares the heritage of the Hmong and educates future generations of Hmong children about their roots.
Every year, WAHNY strives to bring the New Year celebration to life for people of all ages and backgrounds. We are committed to fostering a spirit of community, where everyone can come together and celebrate the richness of our cultural heritage. The WAHNY board of Trustees and advisors extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community leaders, sponsors, vendors, and citizens for volunteering and supporting the Hmong New Year celebration. Your contributions have been instrumental in making this event a great success. Join us this year and experience the wonder and excitement of the New Year celebration!
We are Non-Profit
We are a nonprofit organization operating exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, (the “Code”). The purpose of the Wausau Hmong New Year is to create a better guideline and framework for the Wausau Hmong New Year celebration. We work closely with the community to build a stronger relationship between counties such as Lincoln, Shawano, Langlade, and Marathon.