ACNH December 2024 Updates: New Events, Seasonal Items, Snow Season, Materials and Changes
December stands as one of the most content-rich months in Animal Crossing New Horizons, featuring an extensive collection of seasonal items available for purchase. Let’s get into some of the most anticipated events and celebrations in ACNH December, along with notable changes and new items available in the Winter Season.
ACNH December 2024 Updates
ACNH December Events and Items
1. Winter Solstice (December 21)
December 21st marks the Winter Solstice, and while it's not celebrated as a major event, players can participate by purchasing special seasonal items in Nook Shopping.
Seasonal Items: Midwinter Sweater, Aurora Wall, Bathtub with Yuzu, Tangyuan
When to buy: December 15 to December 22
2. Toy Day (December 24)
Toy Day is a Christmas-themed holiday event in Animal Crossing: New Horizons where players interact with Jingle, a special reindeer character who can be found at the Resident Services Plaza. Players participate in special quests that involve distributing presents to villagers and engaging in gift exchanges. Throughout December, Nook's Cranny features a seasonal stand with toy-themed items, while the Able Sisters shop offers special holiday outfits. The event creates a festive atmosphere with shopkeepers and various characters dressed in holiday attire.
Toy Day Items: Dinosaur Toy, Dollhouse, Kids’ Tent, Mini Circuit, Pop-up Book, Puppy Plushie, RC Helicopter, Tin Robot, Set of Stockings
When to buy: December 1 to December 23
Where to buy: Nook’s Cranny
3. New Year's Eve/Countdown (December 31)
The Countdown event transforms the Resident Services Plaza with a festive setup including a countdown clock, lights, and balloons. Starting at 11 PM, special hourly music plays as villagers gather for the celebration. At 11:55 PM, all villagers brandish light sticks, and during the final minute, a countdown begins with increasing intensity. At midnight, a special cutscene plays featuring fireworks displaying the new year, followed by a continued fireworks show until 2 AM. Except for seasonal items, you can also get a New Year’s hat from Redd and a New Year’s silk hat from Tom Nook for 500 bells.
Seasonal Items: New Year's Noodles, Berliner, Twelve-Grape Dish, Sparkling Cider, Olivier Salad
When to buy: December 22 to December 31
4. New Year's Day (January 1, 2025)
New Year's Day features unique music throughout the day and brighter skies than usual. The Nook Stop offers special rewards, and Brewster provides special New Year's greetings at The Roost. The celebration includes various regional items available through Nook Shopping.
Seasonal Items: Yut Nori, Kadomatsu, Otoshidama Envelope, Kagamimochi, New Year's Shimekazari, Osechi, Zodiac Snake Figurine
When to buy: December 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025
ACNH Winter Snow Season and Changes
When does snow start in ACNH 2024?
For Northern Hemisphere players, snow begins falling in late November and early December, with full ground coverage occurring mid-month. The snow season introduces the snowman crafting mechanic, where players can find and combine two snowballs to create a snow boy. Proper proportioning is crucial for success, and well-crafted snowmen reward players with giant snowflakes and other special items necessary for winter crafting. The 2.0 update has improved snowball spawning mechanics, making them easier to locate even on densely decorated islands.
When does snow melt in ACNH 2025?
In New Horizons, the snow typically melts between February 24 and 25, slightly before the official start of spring, which realistically mirrors natural weather patterns. This timing corresponds with the game's real-time clock system that syncs with players' hemisphere settings to create authentic seasonal experiences. The melting snow reveals green grass and blooming trees, coinciding with the Festivale Event.
ACNH December Crafting Materials - Snowflakes and Ornaments
This winter transformation brings unique activities, including the ability to catch floating snowflakes using nets. These snowflakes serve as crafting materials for various seasonal DIY recipes, which can be obtained through floating balloons or from crafting villagers.
A universal seasonal feature for both hemispheres is the ornament collection. Isabelle decorates cedar trees with festive ornaments, which players can collect by shaking the trees. These ornaments come in various colors and are essential materials for crafting numerous festive-themed items. This feature is available in both hemispheres, which ensures all players can participate in the holiday crafting activities.
When to collect snowflakes: December 11, 2024 to February 24, 2025
When to collect ornaments: December 15, 2024 to January 6, 2025
