Looking forward to a packed October in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? This month is brimming with activities, special events, and seasonal details that bring your island to life.

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

October 2025 is perhaps one of the most content-packed months in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with events such as Halloween, seasonal items for you to collect, island changes and much more. Since the very start of the series, October has been one of the most exciting and content-rich months, and this tradition continues. Expect new items to collect, spirited events, and lots of seasonal changes.

1. Halloween Event

Time: October 31, 5:00 p.m. – Midnight

The main event happening in October is Halloween, which takes place on October 31st from 5:00 p.m. until midnight. Jack, the Czar of Halloween, appears in the Resident Services Plaza, kicking off the festivities. During the event, your goal is to interact with trick-or-treating villagers, giving them candy to avoid their tricks and earn exclusive Halloween-themed rewards. Some items are only available on Halloween night, including the adorable lollipop item. This event is packed with fun and exclusive rewards, making it a highlight of the month.

Furniture & Decor (Spooky Series)

• Spooky Arch

• Spooky Basket

• Spooky Candy Set

• Spooky Carriage

• Spooky Chair

• Spooky Fence (DIY only)

• Spooky Lantern

• Spooky Lantern Set

• Spooky Scarecrow

• Spooky Standing Lamp

• Spooky Table

• Spooky Table Setting

• Spooky Tower

• Spooky Tree

• Spooky Trick Lamp

• Spooky Wand

• Spooky Wall

• Spooky Flooring

• Spooky Rug

• Spooky Garland

Clothing & Accessories

• Jack’s Robe

• Jack’s Face

• Spooky Treats Basket (Accessory)

• Halloween-themed hats and costumes (from Able Sisters, e.g., Mage’s Dress, Impish Costume, Animal Nose, etc.)

Exclusive Event Items (Jack’s Rewards)

Given by Jack in exchange for Lollipops and Candy on Halloween night:

• Jack’s Face (Pumpkin Head)

• Jack’s Robe

• Lollipop (Can be given to Jack in exchange for exclusive rewards)

• Spooky Carriage (Lollipop reward)

• Spooky Wand (Lollipop reward)

DIY Recipes

Most Spooky items are crafted via DIY recipes, which you can earn by giving Candy to villagers or Lollipops to Jack on Halloween night.
DIYs include:

• Spooky Arch

• Spooky Basket

• Spooky Candy Set

• Spooky Carriage

• Spooky Chair

• Spooky Fence

• Spooky Garland

• Spooky Lantern

• Spooky Lantern Set

• Spooky Scarecrow

• Spooky Standing Lamp

• Spooky Table

• Spooky Table Setting

• Spooky Tower

• Spooky Tree

• Spooky Trick Lamp

• Spooky Wall

• Spooky Flooring

• Spooky Rug

• Spooky Wand

How to Obtain Halloween Items

• Buy: Spooky furniture, candy, and some costumes at Nook’s Cranny and Able Sisters throughout October (limited to 1 candy per day).

• Craft: Use DIY recipes from villagers or Jack.

• Halloween Night: Give villagers candy or Jack lollipops for exclusive items and recipes.

2. Fishing Tourney

Time: October 8 (All Day)

The last fishing tourney of the year occurs on October 8th for both hemispheres, hosted by CJ. This is a great opportunity to fish with villagers and earn special prizes. Plus, it's the only time you'll see all your villagers sporting trucker hats, adding a fun twist to the day.

3. Nook's Cranny Updates

Time: Throughout October

Throughout October, Nook’s Cranny receives a spooky makeover, complete with pumpkin decorations. Inside, Halloween-themed items are available for purchase all month, letting you add festive décor to your home without crafting. Also, candy is sold daily, stock up, as you’ll need plenty for Halloween night. Remember, you can only buy one piece per day.

4. Able Sisters' Halloween Costumes

Time: Throughout October

The Able Sisters shop brings in Halloween-themed costumes and outfits during October. This is a great chance to dress up for the event and enjoy the spirit of the season in style.

5. Seasonal Items: Marigold Decoration

Time: October 25 – November 3

October is a bit lighter on seasonal items from the shopping tab, with the main feature being the marigold decoration, which celebrates the Day of the Dead.

6. Southern Hemisphere: Cherry Blossom Season

Time: October 1 – October 10

For players in the southern hemisphere, October brings cherry blossom season. Pink trees, floating petals, and lots of themed DIYs make this a favorite time of year. It’s a unique spring experience while the northern hemisphere is deep into autumn.

7. Villager Birthdays & Nintendo Switch Icons

Time: Specific villager birthdays (Check in-game calendar) & Throughout October for Switch icons

Many villagers celebrate their birthdays in October. Celebrate with them on your island and collect special villager icons from Nintendo Switch Online. These icons are only available for a limited time, so grab your favorites before the end of the month.

8. Island & Building Decorations

Time: Throughout October (with costumes appearing in the latter half of the month)

Several buildings, such as Resident Services, get festive decorations for Halloween. Later in the month, characters around the island start wearing costumes, Isabelle dons a witch’s hat during her announcements, Tom Nook sports devil horns, and even Timmy and Tommy join in the fun. Spotting your favorite characters in costume is a seasonal treat.

9. New and Leaving Critters

Time: Throughout October (Check daily for arrivals/departures)

October brings changes to the critters available on your island. In the northern hemisphere, ladybugs appear, while the southern hemisphere welcomes a variety of butterflies, beetles, and other insects. Several bugs, fish, and sea creatures will be leaving at the end of the month, so catch them while you can.

Bugs in the Northern Hemisphere

• Arriving: Ladybug

• Leaving: Yellow butterfly, bell cricket, red dragonfly, and more

Bugs in the Southern Hemisphere

• Arriving: Common blue bottle, agrias butterfly, atlas moth, and others

• Leaving: Tarantula

Fish

• Northern Hemisphere Arriving: Yellow perch, dab

• Southern Hemisphere Arriving: Killifish, crawfish, snapping turtle, and more

• Northern Hemisphere Leaving: Snapping turtle, catfish, tilapia, and others

• Southern Hemisphere Leaving: Dab, tuna, blue marlin

Sea Creatures

• Northern Hemisphere Arriving: Seaweed, spiny lobster, Venus flower basket

• Southern Hemisphere Arriving: Sea pineapple

• Northern Hemisphere Leaving: Giant isopod, spotted garden eel

• Southern Hemisphere Leaving: Sea cucumber, snow crab, spider crab

10. Special DIYs and Crafting

Time: Throughout October

With cherry blossom season in the southern hemisphere and Halloween festivities in the north, there are plenty of special DIY recipes to collect. Catch cherry blossom petals or gather pumpkins to craft new items for your island.