July has arrived in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and depending on your hemisphere, you're either enjoying the hot summer or the chilly winter. No matter where your island is, there's a lot happening this month, from limited-time items and multiple events to seasonal changes that bring a fresh feel to your island life. Here's a full look at what’s going on in July 2025.

Animal Crossing New Horizons Top 10 10 Updates & Changes in July 2025 (New Activities)

July in Animal Crossing: New Horizons may not bring any major holidays, but it’s packed with events, weather changes, and new things to catch and collect. From fishing and bug-catching tournaments to new seasonal items and environmental shifts, there’s plenty to enjoy. Make sure you grab the limited-time items in ACNH, check on your bushes, and prepare your net and rod for a busy summer month on your island.

1. Fishing Tourney - July 8

Starting July 8, a new Fishing Tourney will be held. If you’ve played before, you’ll know it involves catching as many fish as you can within a time limit to earn prizes from CJ, who shows up in your plaza. Villagers will dress up for the occasion, wearing fishing hats and using rods to join in the fun. The event offers themed rewards, some of the best in the game, and it's also a great way to rack up Bells. You can play solo or invite friends online for a more exciting experience.

2. Bug-Off - Third Saturday of July (Northern Hemisphere)

For players in the northern hemisphere, the Bug-Off returns on the third Saturday of the month. The format is similar to the Fishing Tourney, but this time you're catching bugs. The prizes are bug-themed and, for many players, even more appealing. It’s another fun way to earn Bells and enjoy a seasonal event with your villagers.

3. Seasonal Nook Shopping Items

Like every month, new limited-time items are available in the Nook Shopping tab:

• Tana Batata Decoration (July 1–7): A bamboo item that shows different wishes when clicked, with unique dialogue not found elsewhere in the game.

• Cowboy Festival Ride-On (July 15–Aug 15): A springy ride-on toy that fits perfectly in a farmcore-themed island setup.

• Marine Day Door Decoration (from July 17): One of the few door-specific items available from Nook Shopping.

• Fête Nationale Hat (July 10–20): A rare clothing item that comes in different colors. Many players use it as a Smurf-style hat — a fun idea for Halloween later in the year.

There aren’t many items this month, but the ones available are unique and definitely worth picking up before they're gone.

4. Bush Changes

In the northern hemisphere, the hydrangea bush stops blooming on July 20, so enjoy its flowers while you can. On July 21, the hibiscus bush begins to bloom. This plant gives a strong summer vibe and is a great way to decorate your island for the season.

5. Grass Color Shift

As July moves forward, grass in the northern hemisphere gets darker green, signaling the approach of peak summer. By August, it’ll become even deeper in color. This change adds a nice touch to the island’s overall look. In the southern hemisphere, things stay snowy for now, with fewer visible changes.

6. July Weather Events

Players in the north can expect heavy rain and thunderstorms — classic summer weather. There’s also a rare chance to see double rainbows, which always look amazing in-game. Meanwhile, those in the southern hemisphere might spot the Aurora Borealis, a stunning natural light show that makes nighttime on your island feel extra magical.

7. Villager Birthdays & Special Icons

Throughout July, several villagers will celebrate their birthdays. If any of them live on your island, you’ll get to enjoy a one-day mini-event. For users with Nintendo Switch Online, you can also grab special birthday-themed villager icons from the Missions and Rewards section — a nice bonus if one of your favorites is celebrating this month.

8. New Bugs (Northern Hemisphere)

A huge wave of bugs arrives in July, including:

• Grasshopper

• Brown, Robust, Giant, Evening Cicadas

• Cicada Shell

• Blue Weevil Beetle

• Earth-Boring Dung Beetle

• Multiple Stag Beetles (Scarab, Sore, Giant, Cyclommatus, Golden, Giraffe, etc.)

• Horned Beetles (Dynastid, Atlas, Elephant, Hercules)

• Walking Stick and Walking Leaf

The honeybee is leaving this month in the north. In the southern hemisphere, no new bugs are arriving or leaving.

9. New Fish

In the northern hemisphere, the following fish are now available:

• Sweetfish

• Napoleonfish

• Pufferfish

• Blue Marlin

• Ocean Sunfish

The tadpole is leaving this month. In the southern hemisphere, the same new fish arrive, but none are leaving.

10. New Sea Creatures

New sea creatures for the northern hemisphere include:

• Giant Isopod

• Horseshoe Crab

• Moon Jellyfish

For the southern hemisphere, new arrivals are:

• Acorn Barnacle

• Mantis Shrimp

• Octopus

• Pearl Oyster

• Scallop

• Sea Anemone

• Sea Slug

• Sea Star

• Whelk

Leaving the northern hemisphere this month is seaweed, while abalone leaves the southern hemisphere.