September might be one of the most content-packed months in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. There's honestly so much going on. From major aesthetic changes to your island to new items and seasonal materials to collect, and even a new character to meet, there's a lot to enjoy. Let's jump into this and see exactly what's going on with the new ACNH September Update Guide. 

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

September in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is bustling with activities, seasonal shifts, and opportunities to collect exclusive items and critters. The month offers new experiences for long-time players and a welcoming atmosphere for those returning or just starting out. October promises even more excitement, so keep an eye out for what's next on your island adventure!

1. New Nook Shopping Items and Events

First of all, we have some new items that are available through the Nook shopping tab. These are to celebrate a bunch of events that are happening throughout the month. First of all, we have the iconic grape backpack, which has been in the game for quite a while now, but it might be your first time to get this. We also have a bunch of moon related items to celebrate events happening around the world. These are the moon rug, the dango, the son pion, and the moon cakes, which will be available until the 10th.

Since Nintendo updated the game with version 2.0, the song pion and the moon cakes are now actually edible food items rather than just furniture items that you can display.

2. Meet a New Character: Corna at Harvey's Island

There is a special character you can start to meet in September if you head over to Harvey's Island. This is Corna, and Corna will actually give you free acorns every single day. Now, of course, this is just Tortum in a special outfit. It's actually a call back to Animal Crossing: Wildworld, which is really neat to see. This character was only introduced with the 2.0 update, so he's not been there since the very start, and it was one of the coolest little Easter eggs I think I've seen in New Horizons. So, definitely make sure you head over to Halves Island every day, so you can get some acorns from him.

3. September Seasonal Materials

Acorns and Pine Cones (Northern Hemisphere)

Isabelle will notify players that acorns and pine cones are now obtainable by shaking trees. These materials are vital for crafting fall-themed furniture and decorations. DIY recipes for these items can be found in balloons and are also available from villagers who are busy crafting in their homes. This update makes collecting these recipes more accessible and enjoyable.

Spring Bamboo (Southern Hemisphere)

If you happen to be in the southern hemisphere, then you can enjoy the start of New Spring Bamboo, which also has a bunch of really cool related items. All you have to do is hit this one with your axe to get some young spring bamboo. But just try not to hit it with the metal axe or you will chop down all your bamboo trees and then no more resources for you.

4. Seasonal DIYs and Collectibles

With the arrival of acorns, pine cones, and (for the southern hemisphere) young spring bamboo, players can craft a variety of new and returning seasonal items. Fall-themed DIYs remain some of the most popular in the game, making this a prime month for expanding your collection and adding cozy touches to your island.

5. Villager Birthdays in September

September is filled with villager birthdays. If you want to celebrate your birthday with any of these characters, you can do so in the game.

6. Nintendo Switch Online Rewards

You'll also be able to head on to the Nintendo Switch online app if you have a subscription and go to the Animal Crossing section to collect villagers which are currently celebrating their birthday in September. You can then collect the icons and use them as your profile picture on Nintendo Switch. Here is the full list of the birthdays that happen throughout September in Animal Crossing.

7. Island Aesthetics: Changes to Grass, Bushes, and Weeds

Major visual changes arrive on your island. The grass appears much lighter this month, gradually transitioning to orange as October approaches. Certain bushes, like plumeria and hibiscus in the northern hemisphere, stop blooming on September 20th, while camellia in the southern hemisphere ceases on the 30th. Tea olive bushes start blooming on the 21st in the northern hemisphere. Weeds also take on a fresh look, adding to the cozy autumn atmosphere.

8. Sepetember Bug Off

Although sadly, not many major events happen throughout the month of September, there is one. This is the bug off which will take place on the 24th for those in the northern hemisphere, and it's actually the last bug off of the year. So, you'll want to enjoy it before it's too late. Nothing has really changed with the bug off, sadly. It's basically what you can always expect, but I still think it's worth playing. It's something fun to do in the game, and if you haven't played it too many times, then you might still need to get Nook Miles and rewards from it or some of the cool exclusive items that you can only get by taking part in it.

9. September Critters: New Bugs, Fish, Sea Creature Arrivals and Leaves

Bugs

• Northern Hemisphere: New arrivals include common butterfly, yellow butterfly, monarch butterfly, cricket, bell cricket, red dragonfly, violin beetle, pillbug, and centipede. Several species leave at the end of the month, so catching them now is essential.

• Southern Hemisphere: Expect yellow butterfly, tiger butterfly, peacock butterfly, mantis, orchid mantis, honeybee, stink bug, man-faced stink bug, and ladybug.

Fish

• Northern Hemisphere: Newcomers are pike, cherry salmon, char, golden trout, salmon, king salmon, mitten crab, and sturgeon. Many species, such as crawfish and various tropical fish, leave at the end of September.

• Southern Hemisphere: Look for tadpole, loach, cherry salmon, char, golden trout, and barred knifejaw.

Sea Creatures

• Southern Hemisphere: Oyster and sweet shrimp become available, while chambered nautilus, firefly squid, and spider crab also join the list.

• Northern Hemisphere: Sea creatures like flatworm, gigas giant clam, horseshoe crab, and moon jellyfish depart at the end of the month.

10. Quality of Life Improvements

The ability to get seasonal DIY recipes from both balloons and crafting villagers has improved the overall collection process. This makes it much easier to complete your seasonal sets, especially for new or returning players.