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The free Nov. 14 celebration marks the harvest’s end with traditional clothing, dance, food, visual arts and ball-tossing competitions. Hmong Association of Washington’s background explains the cultural meaning of Pov Pob and the craft traditions connected with clothing and adornment.
All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles
At Seattle Hmong New Year, a ball toss has context beyond the court: Hmong Association of Washington describes Pov Pob as a two-person courtship practice. Seattle Center’s 2026 listing includes ball-tossing competitions but does not give their format or timing, so visitors should not assume a particular demonstration. The free celebration takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, at Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall.
Seattle Center’s Festál season overview names ball-tossing competitions among the festival’s activities. HAW’s historical background describes Pov Pob as two people tossing a ball in a courtship tradition. That context gives the listed competition cultural significance, while the absence of a published format or timetable means there is no confirmed demonstration to plan around.
Further reading: Seattle Center Festál ↗ · Seattle Hmong New Year ↗
Traditional clothing is one of the celebration’s stated themes. HAW’s background describes embroidery and detailed needlework on hemp and cotton garments, and also identifies silverwork for jewelry and blacksmithing for farm tools and weapons. Those practices help explain the craft traditions behind the festival’s clothing and visual-arts themes; the 2026 listing does not confirm particular makers, objects or demonstrations.
Food is also part of the announced cultural mix, but the event information does not name a menu or vendors. Visitors can plan for food to be a theme without treating any specific dish or purchase as confirmed.
Further reading: Seattle Hmong New Year ↗ · Seattle Center Festál ↗
The date is confirmed, but festival opening and closing hours have not been announced. The Armory’s regular building hours are not a substitute for festival hours.
The event listing confirms free public admission. It does not specify whether tickets or reservations are required, or whether food, merchandise or other purchases are included.
The event information does not state an age restriction.
The event is listed for the Armory Food & Event Hall at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109. Shirts and shoes are required at all times in the Armory.
The Armory has an ADA-compliant adult changing room and nursing room on the second floor along the north corridor. Ask Customer Service at the north end of the Food & Event Hall, near the stage, for access. Wheelchairs can be checked out there at no charge with identification.
Seattle Center asks visitors who need special services or auxiliary aids to contact Customer Service at 206-684-7200 at least 10 business days ahead so arrangements can be made. The 5th Avenue N Garage has 24 accessible parking stalls, including eight van-accessible stalls; accessible spaces are subject to availability.
The Seattle Center Monorail connects Westlake Center and Seattle Center, with departures approximately every 10 minutes. Listed Metro service includes routes 1, 2, 4, 8, 13, 24, 29, 31 and 33, plus the RapidRide D Line. RapidRide E and routes 5 and 28 serve the Center along Aurora Avenue N. Check the trip planner for route-specific planning.
Bike racks are available throughout campus. Seattle Center also has designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones around the grounds.
The 3rd Avenue N pathway between Harrison Street and August Wilson Way is closed until Spring 2027. Follow posted signs for the pedestrian route via Seattle Storm Way (2nd Avenue). Seattle Center recommends the Monorail or the 5th Avenue N Garage for Armory visitors navigating the detour.
The 5th Avenue N Garage is at 516 Harrison Street, with entrances on Harrison and Republican streets just east of 5th Avenue N; Seattle Center lists it as close to the Armory. General event-parking rates range from $20 to $45, vary with demand and are subject to change. This is a campus rate range, not a festival-specific quote; spaces are generally first come, first served unless presold or reserved by contract.
Opening and closing hours have not been announced. The Armory’s normal operating hours do not establish this event’s schedule.
Ball-tossing competitions appear in the Festál overview, and HAW describes Pov Pob as a courtship tradition. No format or activity time is listed.
Admission is free, and food is named as part of the festival’s cultural mix. The listing does not specify vendors, a menu or included purchases.
For special services or auxiliary aids, contact Seattle Center Customer Service at 206-684-7200 at least 10 business days in advance. Wheelchairs are available to check out at the Armory Customer Service desk with identification.
Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-01 against the linked sources.