What You Need To Know About Animal Crossing: New Horizons' New Year's Event

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has taken the world by storm in 2020 for many reasons. The island-based life simulation game is both an outlet for creativity as players turn deserted islands into fully-customizable thriving towns and a way for friends and family to virtually connect with each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its release in March, Nintendo has kept New Horizons fresh with seasonal game updates containing holiday events for players to enjoy.

Now that the Dec. 24 Toy Day event is behind us, it's time to focus on New Horizons' end-of-the-year bash: the New Year's Eve event, which has been a tradition since the early games in the Animal Crossing franchise. All island residents, including the loan shark racoon Tom Nook himself, will gather in the plaza for a celebration. Here's everything you need to know about the New Horizons New Year's Eve event, including special items and activities.

Before New Year's Eve on Dec. 31, you may want to use the kiosk in Resident Services or the Nook Shopping app on your NookPhone to purchase decorative noodles, grapes, and Berliner, plus a glass of sparkling cider, which can be interacted with. Make sure you finish up any errands in Resident Services before Dec. 31, because the building will be closed that day beginning at 5 a.m. When the day arrives, the Resident Services building will be blocked off with a massive countdown timer until midnight.

Villagers can be seen walking around the celebration area, wearing their own festive party hats and outfits. Tom Nook and Isabelle are sure to both be in the plaza, dressed to the nines and holding onto special items that you can collect. Isabelle will hand you a yellow glow stick during your first conversation. Tom Nook, on the other hand, offers one of two New Year's Eve hats that come in varying colors, so you'll have to do some trading with other players if you want all the options.

Have your glow stick and cider on hand as you wait for the clock to strike midnight. There may even be some Animal Crossing fireworks.

The fun doesn't stop at midnight. On New Year's Day, Jan. 1, be sure to speak to all the villagers, who will share with you their New Year's resolutions. These special conversations will vary based on villager personality, so be sure to speak to your favorites to hear their plans for 2021. Players also have the chance to stock up on limited edition items between Jan. 1 and Jan. 15, many of which have different cultural ties. 

There are seven items to purchase from Nook Shopping, including a 2021 Celebratory Arch, which is said to bring players good luck when they walk through. There's also a Kadomatsu, a traditional Japanese bamboo signpost to welcome Toshigami-sama, the god of the new year, into homes. Other items include a Korean board game called Yut Nori, rope decorations called New Year's Shimekazari, and a Zodiac Ox figurine to symbolize the Year of the Ox. Additional food items include Kagami mochi and Russian Olivier Salad.