Best Christmas Events In Video Games

Summary

• Get cozy with the best video game holiday events, from Animal Crossing’s Toy Day to Fortnite’s Winterfest.
• Holiday events are great for collecting special wintry goodies and enjoying festive limited-time content.

When the holiday season rolls around and the snow piles up outside, there’s nothing better than snuggling up with a bundle of blankets and a good video game. Thankfully, many titles have festive seasonal events to help you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

Holiday events are a great way to grab limited-time goodies, participate in special wintry activities, and dress up your favorite characters in fuzzy Christmas outfits. But above all else, they’re an excellent way to spread a little cheer to your loved ones or to pass the time on a cold winter’s night. When December comes around, make sure to grab some hot chocolate and start up the following games.

8

Toy Day

The Animal Crossing Series

If you play Animal Crossing, make sure to boot it up on December 24 to celebrate Toy Day. This holiday tradition dates back to the first entry and has appeared in most installments since. While exploring the town at night, you can meet a reindeer named Jingle, who’s basically Nintendo’s version of Santa.

The Toy Day activities differ depending on which game you play. You might receive a special gift from Jingle or help him deliver presents to the villagers. Either way, it’s always a joy to spread some holiday cheer.

7

Sonic’s Christmas Party

Sonic Adventure 1 & 2

Here’s a deep cut for you. Both Sonic Adventure games on the Dreamcast received holiday-themed DLC. In the first one, Station Square lights up with Christmas trees, each of which plays a song when you walk past, such as Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, and even a beautiful acapella rendition of Dreams, Dreams from the game Christmas Dreams.

In Sonic Adventure 2, each playable character gets a wintry outfit. Nothing is more festive than dressing up Shadow in a cozy Santa vest or putting ornaments on Knuckles’ quills. But above all else, these holiday events are notable for being one of the first instances of video game DLC, launching all the way back in 1999.

6

Winterfest

Fortnite

Every December, Fortnite hosts the yearly Winterfest, where you can get all kinds of holiday treats. If you head over to the Winterfest Cabin, you can unwrap one new present each day for two weeks. The prizes differ between years, ranging from a Peppermint Pickaxe to an adorable Christmas tree outfit.

Additionally, you can grab plenty of wintry weapons to use in battle. Annihilate your foes with Snowball Launchers, collect loot by opening holiday presents, and disguise yourself as a snowman to sneak around and ambush the competition. Who knew battle royales could be so festive?

5

Kevin’s Christmas Cracker

Overcooked 2

The holiday season usually involves a lot of cooking, but Overcooked 2 makes it seem fun. The Kevin’s Christmas Cracker update added five new snowy kitchens to the game, where you can serve mince pies, hot chocolate, and Christmas pudding. You can even play as an elf or a snowman.

As stunning as the new levels are, they’re just as chaotic as the rest of the game. Each kitchen is on a frozen lake, with large gaps exposing the icy water below. Remember to stay aware of your surroundings and try not to become a popsicle!

4

Winter’s Feast

Don’t Starve Together

Starting in 2016, Don’t Starve Together holds a Winter’s Feast every December, where you can plant Christmas trees, collect item-filled presents, and find holiday-themed food. After all, surviving in the wild is much better with hot cocoa and sugar cookies.

Make sure to look out for wintry monsters, including the Gingerbread Pigs, who lure you to their houses with trails of cookie crumbs. You may even encounter holiday variants of the bosses, who sport festive new skins and even some different attack patterns.

3

Festive Surprise

Grand Theft Auto 5

Have you ever wanted to rob a bank while dressed as a snowman? You can with Grand Theft Auto 5’s Festive Surprise update. It added a slew of vehicles, weapons, and outfits to help you spread the holiday spirit while causing as much destruction as possible.

Explore Los Santos in an elf costume, snuggle up in a Christmas onesie while stealing a car, and get into some snowball fights with the police along the way. It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a bit of chaos.

2

Winter Wonderland

Overwatch

Overwatch is no stranger to seasonal events, and Winter Wonderland is one of the best. Dress your hero up in a fuzzy sweater or penguin onesie and head to the battlefield for some special holiday game modes.

Team up with four others to take down the Abominable Snowman in Yeti Hunt, or try to avoid getting frozen in Freezethaw Elimination. However, the best holiday mode is Mei’s Snowball Offensive, an epic, fast-paced snowball fight.

1

Feast Of The Winter Star

Stardew Valley

All Stardew Valley players should experience the Feast of the Winter Star at least once. On the 25th day of winter, Pelican Town gets decorated with giant candy canes, colorful Christmas trees, and tables of delicious food. If you visit Pierre, he’ll sell you wintry items like a festive dining table and a small pine tree.

The biggest event is Secret Santa, where you must give a present to a randomly selected villager. If they like your gift, you’ll get five times the friendship points. You’ll also receive a present in return!