If there’s one thing the Animal Crossing franchise excels at, its replicating real-life holidays in-game. Just as soon as you think your everyday tasks of digging fossils and keeping up with villagers are getting mundane, another special event comes along to spice things up. There are over 40 special occasions in New Leaf alone, 15 of which are American and international holidays.
We’ve already seen a few events manifested in the latest installment, New Horizons, since its release back in March thanks to various seasonal updates, and we’re excited to see these traditions carried out in the future!
15 New Year’s Eve & Day (December 31 - January 1)
Just as we celebrate the end of one year and the start of another, so do the villagers in New Leaf. At 11 p.m., Tortimer kicks off an outdoor countdown party. Redd and Isabelle are there to hand out special items, such as party hats and party poppers. When the countdown hits 00:00, the first fireworks show of the year starts. New Year’s Day is a bit less eventful, but special musical themes will play throughout the day.
14 Groundhog Day (February 2)
Even in Animal Crossing, moles predict the weather. Villagers gather around the Plaza at 7 a.m., though the event doesn’t officially occur until 8 a.m. Resetti, the aggressive but lovable mole, will pop out and predict winter or spring. A cut-out of Resetti can be found in the Plaza with a matching faceless model that players can stick their heads in for a photo op. If players speak to Isabelle in the Plaza, she will hand them a Resetti Model.
13 Valentine’s Day (February 14)
On Valentine’s Day, players will receive letters and gifts from villagers based on their friendship levels. In New Leaf, Brewster gives a hot chocolate, while villagers give chocolate or cake. Isabelle sends a card giving thanks for the Mayor’s hard work, and Mom sends one of her famous letters with a gift attached.
12 Festivale (February Or March)
Depending on the year, Festivale happens in February or March. Pave the blue peacock hosts the event in the Plaza, and the day is said to have no snow or rain. Villagers walk around wearing headdresses, and Pave tasks players with finding various feathers, which fall from the sky with confetti, in exchange for furniture items. There are also a variety of games that players can participate in with villagers.
The event is said to be inspired by Mardi Gras, which comes one day in real life after Animal Crossing’s Festivale, and Carnival.
11 Shamrock Day (March 17)
Shamrock Day mirrors St. Patrick’s Day, and New Leaf is the only Animal Crossing game so far to include the holiday. The town is filled with clovers and a leprechaun cut-out is placed in the Event Plaza. Players can speak to Isabelle to receive the Shamrock Hat, and then villagers will talk to players about the holiday.
10 Bunny Day (Easter)
Bunny Day, which falls on Easter Sunday, was the first event to appear in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and it was a pretty close replica of the New Leaf event. There are six types of eggs to be found in the sea, the ground, rocks, trees, and presents. The eggs contain candy, winning tickets, or grand prize tickets, which can be given to Zipper T. Bunny for furniture and prizes.
9 April Fool’s Day (April 1)
Blanca, a faceless cat, appears near the Town Tree and explains the day of pranks to the player. She plays a game in which she hides in a villager’s home and poses as that villager. The player must determine which villager is actually Blanca. To determine the true villager, each animal will make various statements about their personalities and hobbies. Additionally, villagers can play several tricky games with players throughout the day.
8 Nature Day (April 22)
New Horizons players may recall the Nature Day event at the end of April, a week filled with special Nook Miles+ tasks dedicated to nature. In New Leaf, Nature Day takes place only on April 22 as the town’s inhabitants celebrate the beauty of its greenery. Isabelle stands by the Town Tree near yet another special standee. When players speak to her, they receive a Cool Globe.
7 Mother’s Day (Second Sunday In May)
On the second Sunday in May, New Leaf players receive a letter from Mom, an unseen NPC. In this particular letter, she notes that she has kept all the gifts that her child has given her over the years. Attached to the letter is a gift containing a pink carnation.
Mother’s Day did make an appearance in New Horizons, as a special gift was available for purchase in Nook Shopping for the month of May.
6 Father’s Day (Third Sunday In June)
Mom is a frequent correspondent in the Animal Crossing games, but players don’t seem to hear much from Dad. However, on the third Sunday in June, he does send his child a letter similar to Mom’s letter for Mother’s Day. He attaches a red carnation, which can be planted beside the pink carnation to spawn white carnations.
New Horizons ran a similar month-long special in June for players to purchase a Father’s Day mug from Nook Shopping.
5 Harvest Moon Festival (September or October)
The Harvest Moon Festival, also known as the Autumn Moon in PAL regions, takes place in September or October at the start of fall. It occurs on the date of the full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox. Isabelle stands in the Plaza and informs players of that night’s Autumn Moon. She gives a free gift, depending on the region, it’s either a wheat bundle or a veggie basket.
A scarecrow standee rests in the Plaza for photo ops. In the evening, Isabelle tells players facts about the Harvest Moon, and villagers will talk about the moon.
4 Explorer’s Day (Second Monday In October)
Explorer’s Day in October is equivalent to the real-life Columbus Day, and the event only occurs in North American versions of New Leaf. Visit the Plaza to find Isabelle waiting with a sailboat model. Additionally, there will be a cutout standee for up to three players.
3 Halloween (October 31)
As New Horizons players know, the Halloween event is happening right now all month long. Nintendo teased that at the end of the month, on Halloween night, Jack the pumpkin man will visit islands and host a Halloween scare event for villagers. The island’s animals will dress in costume and Jack will hand out recipes.
A very similar event happens in New Leaf, except only some villagers are out, while others can be scared in their homes by a frightening mask. Villagers who are outside will chase the player, who can then choose a trick or a piece of candy. Players can purchase candy in Nook’s store and costumes in Able Sisters all month long.
2 Harvest Festival (Thanksgiving)
The Harvest Festival falls on Thanksgiving. Franklin the turkey waits near the town tree by a table filled with kitchen objects, and the player is tasked with fetching ingredients for the feast. Some ingredients include fish, fruit, and vinegar, which must be obtained from a villager in their home. When the ingredients are handed off to Franklin, he cooks up a meal.
1 Toy Day (December 24)
Toy Day occurs on Christmas Eve, but players can prepare for the event all holiday season long. On December 24, Jingle the reindeer appears in town and tells players that someone dressed as Santa Claus should deliver presents. If the player has purchased the entire Santa outfit from Able Sisters, they will receive a gift and be tasked with delivering the correct presents. Villagers drop hints about what they want all month long. Franklin and Jingle are already confirmed to be joining New Horizons later this year.
NEXT: Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 10 Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed The First Time Through
