Your Ultimate 2024 Island Almanac: A Year-Round Guide to Animal Crossing: New Horizons Events & Seasons
Welcome, Islander! Whether you're a seasoned resident or have just landed on your deserted island paradise, the ever-changing calendar in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is what keeps the magic alive all year long. 2024 is no different, brimming with familiar festivities and the promise of daily surprises. This comprehensive seasonal guide is your one-stop resource for all the major Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2024 event dates, ensuring you never miss a bug-off, a seasonal recipe, or a starry-eyed visitor. We've woven in all the essential details, from key preparation tips to the must-collect items, so you can focus on what you do best: creating your perfect island getaway.
Let's embark on a journey through the four beautiful seasons on your island.
Spring: A Season of Blossoms and Bunny
As the last of the snow melts away, your island transforms into a pastel wonderland. Cherry blossom trees paint the sky in soft pink from April 1st to April 10th in the Northern Hemisphere. This is a crucial period for collectors! Don't just admire the view—make sure you’re diligently popping the floating balloons with your slingshot. They often contain the exquisite Cherry-Blossom Recipes series, allowing you to craft items like the Blossom-Viewing Lantern and the Cherry-Blossom Pochette. It's a short window, so be vigilant!
Simultaneously, the much-anticipated (and sometimes divisive) Bunny Day event typically runs from late March through the entire day on Bunny Day (which in 2024 will be March 31st). Zipper T. Bunny returns, hiding eggs all over your island. While it can feel overwhelming, this is the perfect opportunity to gather materials for the unique Bunny Day furniture set and, of course, that iconic wobbling egg outfit. A key strategy for completing the Bunny Day collection is to hunt for every type of egg: Stone Eggs, Leaf Eggs, Sky Eggs, and the trickier Water Eggs, which you get by fishing in the shadows of medium-sized fish.
Spring also brings Nature Day, which runs from April 23rd to May 4th. During this time, you'll earn extra Nook Miles for completing nature-focused tasks like planting trees and watering a specific number of flowers. It's a fantastic, low-key way to boost your Nook Miles stash while beautifying your island.
Summer: Sun, Sea, and Shooting Stars
Summer is all about long, sunny days and clear, starry nights. For Northern Hemisphere players, the Summer Shells begin washing up on your shorelines from June 1st to August 31st. These are your ticket to crafting the beautiful Summer Shell series, so be sure to check your beach daily.
The highlight for many is the Wedding Season at Harv's Island. Throughout the entire month of June, you can visit Harvey and help Reese and Cyrus take their anniversary photos. By doing so, you'll earn Heart Crystals which can be exchanged for the gorgeous Wedding Series furniture and clothing. Each year's set is slightly different, so even if you participated before, it's worth revisiting for new items.
Then comes the firework-lit sky! Every Sunday in August, your island plaza will host a spectacular fireworks show starting at 7 PM. Isabelle will be there, and you can purchase fun, glowing boppers from her. This is also when you can meet the lovely Redd with his special raffle booth, where you can win unique, festive items. It’s a wonderfully social and visually stunning monthly event for August.
For Southern Hemisphere players, remember that your winter is the Northern Hemisphere's summer, so you'll experience these events six months apart. Your Wedding Season is in December, and your fireworks displays light up the sky every Sunday in February.
Don't forget the Bug-Offs! Throughout the summer months, Flick will host several Bug-Off tournaments, typically on the third Saturday of June, July, August, and September. It’s a frantic and fun way to earn unique bug-themed trophies and items.
Autumn: Cozy Sweaters and Spooky Nights
As the air turns crisp, the foliage on your hardwood trees will slowly shift to vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow. This is the season of mushrooms and one of the most beloved events: the Halloween festivities on October 31st.
From the start of October, you can find Mushrooms sprouting around the bases of your trees, and Nook's Cranny will start selling pumpkins. Growing and harvesting pumpkins is a vital guide to preparing for the Halloween event. You'll need them to craft spooky DIY recipes, which you can get from your villagers or in message bottles.
On Halloween night itself, from 5 PM onward, your island takes on a spooky atmosphere. Your villagers will be dressed in costume, and you can either hand out candy to them or play "trick-or-treat" to get lollipops and the coveted Spooky Carriage DIY recipe from Jack, the Czar of Halloween. Having a good stock of candy and all the different pumpkin colors (orange, white, yellow, and green) is the best way to get all Halloween items in ACNH.
This season also brings the Harvest Festival on the fourth Thursday of November, which in 2024 is November 28th. The beloved chef Franklin returns, and you'll help him prepare a massive feast using ingredients you've fished for, dug up, and harvested. It’s a heartwarming event that emphasizes gratitude and, of course, delicious food recipes.
Winter: A Time for Festive Lights and Reflection
Winter blankets the island in a serene layer of snow in December, creating a picturesque landscape. The main event is, without a doubt, Toy Day on December 24th. Jingle the reindeer will visit your island, and you can become his helper by distributing presents to your villagers. To do this perfectly, you'll need to have carefully listened to their gift hints in the days leading up to the event! This is a key tip for maximizing your Toy Day rewards.
Leading up to Toy Day, the entire month of December is a shopping extravaganza. Nook's Cranny will be stocked with fun, festive toys like dollhouses, pop-up books, and miniature robots. It's the perfect time to buy these limited-time items for your catalog or to decorate your home with holiday cheer.
Finally, the year wraps up with the Countdown Event on December 31st. From 7 PM onwards, your villagers will gather in the plaza for a countdown to the New Year. You can celebrate with party poppers, exchange wishes with your friends, and watch a beautiful fireworks display to welcome the new year in-game and in real life.
Your 2024 Island Planner: Pro-Tips for Success
To make the most of your 2024 in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, here are some final, evergreen tips:
- Check In Daily: Even a five-minute visit can let you see what special visitor is on your island, find a DIY bottle, or check the Nook Shopping seasonal tab.
- Talk to Your Villagers: They often give you event-specific DIY recipes or hints about what's to come.
- Prepare in Advance: Stockpile resources like wood, iron, and customizing kits. For seasonal events, gather the required materials (like pumpkins for Halloween) ahead of time.
- Time Travel is an Option: If you miss an event, remember that the game allows you to adjust your system's clock to revisit past dates. It's a personal choice that can help you complete your collection.
No matter the season, your island is a place of endless creativity and joy. With this complete 2024 calendar of ACNH events in your pocket, you're all set for a wonderful year of fishing, decorating, and celebrating with your animal friends. Happy crossing
