15 Best In-Game Festivals And Holidays

Games love a good celebration, and plenty of them build lively festivals and holidays that bring players together with special activities, themed locations, and limited rewards that only show up for a short time each year. These events often transform familiar maps, add playful mini quests, and sprinkle in cosmetics you cannot get anywhere else. Developers use them to keep worlds feeling alive and to mark the changing seasons with fun twists on core gameplay. Here are some standout examples that consistently deliver festive vibes and worthwhile loot.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Nintendo fills island life with rotating events like Bunny Day, Toy Day, Fishing Tourneys, Bug-Offs, and weekly fireworks in summer that shower the sky with custom designs. Villagers chat about the occasion, plaza decorations go up, and Isabelle hands out festive items that change each year. Players can collect themed DIY recipes and special materials to craft limited furniture and outfits. Because Nintendo ties everything to the system clock, the calendar reliably brings back traditions while still introducing new items and tweaks.

Final Fantasy XIV Online

Square Enix anchors Eorzea’s calendar with the Starlight Celebration, Hatching-tide, Little Ladies’ Day, Moonfire Faire, and more, each offering one-off quests and exclusive cosmetics. Seasonal hubs get festive decor and music while short stories introduce cheerful side characters and small cutscenes. Rewards often include emotes, mounts, housing items, and attire that do not return in the same form. The game also adds seasonal FATEs and instanced activities that make queues quick and social during each festival.

Splatoon 3

Nintendo EPD runs recurring Splatfests where players pledge to a theme and battle in Turf War under neon night stages and special music. A live in-game news show announces teams, then the city plaza transforms with holograms and concerts. Players earn conch shells and Splatfest tee perks, and results unlock exclusive banners and badges. The format creates short bursts of competition that wrap with a high energy festival performance from the in-universe idols.

Destiny 2

Bungie’s calendar highlights Festival of the Lost, The Dawning, and Solstice, each with unique activities and craftable goodies. Haunted Sectors send fireteams hunting Headless foes while baking during The Dawning turns enemy drops into ingredients for gift recipes. Event Cards track challenges and unlock ornaments, sparrows, and shaders during the limited window. The Tower also changes with themed decorations, giving the social space a distinct holiday feel.

Guild Wars 2

ArenaNet celebrates Tyria with Shadow of the Mad King, Dragon Bash, and Wintersday that take over Lion’s Arch and festival districts. Players jump into Labyrinth farming, clock tower jumping puzzles, snowball fights, and mount races tailored to each event. Currency like Candy Corn or Snowflakes converts into weapon skins, minis, and outfits from limited vendors. Daily and weekly achievements guide participation and ensure steady rewards during the festival run.

The Elder Scrolls Online

ZeniMax Online Studios anchors the year with the New Life Festival, Witches Festival, and Jester’s Festival that span all alliances. Taskmasters send players to quick activities across zones, granting event tickets and gift boxes. Tickets feed the Impresario vendor who sells fragments for morphing pets and mounts that change with each season. Bonus experience boosts and themed furnishings make the holidays popular for both new characters and home decorators.

Genshin Impact

HoYoverse turns Teyvat’s regions into party central with events like Lantern Rite in Liyue and Windblume in Mondstadt. Time limited minigames, boss challenges, and exploration tasks award primogems, crowns, and free event weapons. Cities get night skies filled with lanterns or festival decor while story quests bring returning characters into the spotlight. Event shops allow players to choose ascension materials and cosmetics before the festivities end.

Monster Hunter: World

Capcom decorates Astera and Seliana for Spring Blossom Fest, Summer Twilight Fest, and other seasonal gatherings that refresh event quest rotations. Special bounties hand out fireworks, vouchers, and layered armor parts tied to the theme. The Gathering Hub gets lavish makeovers and unique music that set the mood for group hunts. Many limited quests return during festivals, letting players craft cosmetic sets they may have missed.

World of Warcraft

Blizzard Entertainment schedules Azeroth’s calendar with Hallow’s End, Brewfest, Lunar Festival, and more, each packed with daily quests and boss drops. Cities swap banners and vendors sell pets and toys for event currency that carries across years. Players chase achievements that unlock titles and meta rewards while traveling to classic zones. Holiday world bosses and dungeons also offer mounts or trinkets that keep collectors busy.

Warframe

Digital Extremes marks the season with Nights of Naberus and the winter themed Tennobaum that add charming community touches. Deimos vendors stock rotating cosmetics and ephemeras while ship decorations and event glyphs set the tone. Gift giving traditions and limited alerts encourage squad play and resource sharing. Special credit stores and login items make sure even casual Tenno can grab something festive.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Ubisoft Montreal hosted Ravensthorpe gatherings like the Yule Festival that turned the settlement into a snowy fairground. Players joined brawls, archery contests, and drinking games to earn tokens for settlement decorations and gear. The festival brought short questlines with familiar characters and lighthearted challenges. Timed vendors and daily objectives provided steady currency for cosmetic upgrades around the longhouse.

Fortnite

Epic Games turns the island into a holiday showcase with Winterfest and other seasonal updates that change points of interest. Players open a daily present in the lodge, complete quests, and unlock gliders, emotes, or weapon wraps that are only available during the event. Map lighting, snow, and limited items like snowball launchers keep matches feeling fresh. Creative islands and community made challenges join the fun for quick rewards.

Stardew Valley

ConcernedApe fills Pelican Town’s calendar with the Egg Festival, Luau, Dance of the Moonlight Jellies, Spirit’s Eve, and Feast of the Winter Star. Each event moves the town to a special map with mini activities such as egg hunts or communal cooking. Players meet villagers, build friendship points, and buy limited decor from seasonal stalls. Certain festivals also gate unique items and scenes that expand the farm’s collection and story flavor.

The Sims 4

Maxis adds the Seasons pack calendar that lets players celebrate Harvestfest, Winterfest, and Love Day with customizable traditions. Households decorate, host parties, and fulfill social or craft goals that grant satisfaction points and themed rewards. Festive NPCs like Father Winter appear during specific windows and can even join the family. Weather, attire, and moodlets shift to reflect the holiday atmosphere across neighborhoods.

Pokémon GO

Niantic rolls out real world holiday events like Halloween and Winter Holiday that sync to regional time zones. Spawn pools shift to feature costumed Pokémon, while raids and research introduce limited forms and bonuses. Timed research and event boxes give players a clear path to cosmetics and high value items. Map visuals and music change to match the season, making daily routes feel different during the celebration.

Share your favorite virtual festival in the comments and tell us which event you never miss each year.