# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration 2026
- **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 16 May, 2026 at 08:00 am – Sat, 16 May, 2026 at 10:00 pm (-07:00)
- **Event Description**: Join us for our 8th Lao New Year Celebration in Downtown Merced, California. 

☆☆ VENDOR APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN FEBRUARY 16, 2026. ☆☆
Link: https://vatthanathamlao.org/lny2026-vendor-app.htm

☆☆ Cultural Performance application: ☆☆ https://vatthanathamlao.org/lny2026-perform-app.htm

The Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration will highlight the culture and heritage of the Lao people, which were solidified during the reign of the ancient Lan Xang Kingdom (1353 C.E. - 1707 C.E. “Land of a million elephants”). After centuries of conflicts and border changes, modern-day Laos encompasses over 60 ethnic groups (including the Khmu, Hmong, and Mien) who also celebrate their respective cultural new years during different times of the year, as well as Lao New Year in April.

Before 2018, it had been over 30 years since the Lao community had a public celebration of the Lao New Year in Merced. After 2019, the celebration was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, we had smaller celebrations. In 2023, 2024 and 2025 we are brought back the parade. In 2026, we will continue the traditional parade. Each year, we hope to make the Celebration bigger and better, as we do our part to help revitalize Downtown Merced.

• FREE and open to the public.
• All activities take place OUTDOORS.

Message us or email to vlf@vatthanathamlao.org if you are interested in:
* Sponsoring our event
* Vending (Opening in February 16, 2026)
* Participating in our parade
* Volunteering
* Supporting in any form
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/merced/downtown-merced-lao-new-year-celebration-2026/200028930457331
- **Event Categories**: parades, volunteering
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 1052

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Merced
- **state**: CA
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 235 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340-4932, United States
- **lat**: 37.30046
- **long**: -120.47948
- **full address**: 235 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340-4932, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration 2026
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/c7bd521ef81d04f79e71ce1eb1c540c6b039519206464c49144cfa20c2504e76-rimg-w1200-h674-dc90d7fa-gmir?v=1776139374

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration 2026 being held?
  - **A:** Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration 2026 takes place on Sat, 16 May, 2026 at 08:00 am to Sat, 16 May, 2026 at 10:00 pm at 235 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340-4932, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration 2026?
  - **A:** Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration 2026 is organized by Vatthanatham Lao Foundation.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration 2026 is ideal for festival lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a vibrant, immersive community experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Merced, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 1,000+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out.

## Structured Data (JSON-LD)

```json
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        "@type": "Festival",
        "name": "Downtown Merced Lao New Year Celebration 2026",
        "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/c7bd521ef81d04f79e71ce1eb1c540c6b039519206464c49144cfa20c2504e76-rimg-w1200-h674-dc90d7fa-gmir?v=1776139374",
        "startDate": "2026-05-16T08:00:00-07:00",
        "endDate": "2026-05-16T22:00:00-07:00",
        "url": "https://allevents.in/merced/downtown-merced-lao-new-year-celebration-2026/200028930457331",
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        "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode",
        "description": "Join us for our 8th Lao New Year Celebration in Downtown Merced, California. \n\n☆☆ VENDOR APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN IN FEBRUARY 16, 2026. ☆☆\nLink: https://vatthanathamlao.org/lny2026-vendor-app.htm\n\n☆☆ Cultural Performance application: ☆☆ https://vatthanathamlao.org/lny2026-perform-app.htm\n\nThe Downtown",
        "organizer": [
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                "@type": "Organization",
                "name": "Vatthanatham Lao Foundation",
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]
```