The holiday spirit is in full swing on your island as December brings a fresh blanket of snow, a host of exciting activities, and plenty of new items to collect. With the highly anticipated 3.0 update arriving in January, this month is the perfect chance to get ready, gather materials, and enjoy some of the most beloved events in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The return of a fan-favorite update series aims to help both new and returning players prepare for everything coming their way.

ACNH December Updates 2025 - Events, Items, DIYs, Bugs, Fish, Sea Creatures, Birthdays

December brings a surprising amount of new items and events you’ll want to check out. The month is not only about enjoying the first signs of snow but also about getting ready for the major 3.0 update. The new season introduces a variety of crafting materials, many of which will likely prove useful for the upcoming Hotel and Furniture Box features. Light snowfall can be experienced as early as November 26th, but by December 10th: Snow Day, everyone is guaranteed full snow coverage, and from the 11th onward, the island will be completely blanketed. This is the perfect opportunity to prepare by collecting winter crafting materials and participating in the month’s unique activities. Here’s a quick guide to the month’s main events, when they happen, and what you can collect:

1. Snowfall & Snowflake Season

Time: Starts with light snow in late November/early December, with snow settling on the ground from December 11 (Northern Hemisphere).
As December begins, your island gradually transitions into a winter wonderland. Snow starts to fall, first lightly, then sticking to the ground mid-month, creating a beautiful, festive atmosphere. This snowy season opens up activities and crafting opportunities only available during this time.

What To Do:

• Watch as your island turns white with fresh snow.

• Catch floating snowflakes with your net.

• Gather seasonal crafting materials from around your island.

• Interact with villagers crafting special winter items.

What Items To Get:

• Snowflakes (for crafting winter DIYs)

• DIY Recipes for snowy items like Falling Snow Wall, Iceberg Flooring, Iceberg Wall, Ski Slope Flooring, Ski Slope Wall, Snowflake Pochette, Snowflake Wall, and Snowflake Wreath.

2. Ornament Season

Time: Begins December 15 (both hemispheres).
From mid-December, cedar trees across your island are adorned with twinkling lights. By shaking these festively decorated trees, you’ll collect red, blue, and gold ornaments—special materials used for crafting a range of holiday items.

What To Do:

• Shake decorated cedar trees to gather ornaments.

• Use ornaments in crafting festive DIY items.

• Check for new festive recipes from balloons and crafting villagers.

What Items To Get:

• Red, Blue, and Gold Ornaments (crafting materials)

• Festive DIY Recipes: Festive Rug, Festive Top Set, Festive Tree, Holiday Candle, Illuminated Present, Illuminated Reindeer, Illuminated Snowflakes, Illuminated Tree, Jingle Wall, Ornament Mobile, Ornament Wreath, Tabletop Festive Tree.

3. Snowboy Building

Time: From December 11 until the snow melts (Northern Hemisphere).
Once the snow settles, players can roll two snowballs found around their island to create a Snowboy. Building a perfectly proportioned Snowboy is a challenge, but doing so rewards you with exclusive Frozen Series DIYs and large snowflakes.

What To Do:

• Locate and roll two snowballs of appropriate sizes to build a Snowboy.

• Aim for a “perfect” Snowboy for the best rewards.

• Collect daily large snowflakes from your perfect Snowboy until he melts.

What Items To Get:

• Large Snowflake (received daily from a perfect Snowboy)

• Frozen Series DIY Recipes: Frozen Arch, Frozen Bed, Frozen Chair, Frozen Counter, Frozen Partition, Frozen Pillar, Frozen Sculpture, Frozen Table, Frozen Treat Set, Ice Flooring, Ice Wall, Ice Wand, Snowperson Head, Three-Tiered Snowperson.

4. Winter Solstice & Seasonal Items

Time: December 15–22 (Winter Solstice in North, Summer Solstice in South)
The solstice brings new and returning limited-time seasonal items to Nook Shopping, themed around the longest (or shortest) day of the year depending on your hemisphere. There are festive foods, unique furniture, and stylish apparel to collect.

What To Do:

• Visit Nook Shopping’s Seasonal tab daily.

• Purchase new and returning solstice items.

• Enjoy the new additions to seasonal events, such as the Bathtub with Yuzu and Tangyuan.

What Items To Get:
Northern Hemisphere:

• Midwinter Sweater

• Aurora Wall

• Bathtub with Yuzu

• Tangyuan

Southern Hemisphere:

• Sunflower Crown

• Sunflower Rug

• Sunflower Sunglasses

• Maypole

5. Bug-Off (Southern Hemisphere Only)

Time: December 19 (starting at 9:00 AM)
Flick hosts the last Bug-Off of the year for players in the Southern Hemisphere. Compete to catch as many bugs as you can within the time limit to earn points and win exclusive bug-themed prizes.

What To Do:

• Speak to Flick in the plaza to enter.

• Catch as many bugs as possible during the event period.

• Redeem points for unique bug-themed items and trophies.

What Items To Get:

• Bug-Off Prizes: Artisanal Bug Cage, Bug Cage Bag, Ladybug Rug, and various trophies (Bronze, Silver, Gold).

6. Christmas Toy Day

Time: December 24 (both hemispheres)
Toy Day is Animal Crossing’s version of Christmas, with Jingle the reindeer arriving at your plaza. Take on the role of Santa by helping Jingle deliver presents to your villagers and participating in a festive gift exchange.

What To Do:

• Find Jingle in the plaza and receive the Festive Wrapping Paper DIY.

• Craft Festive Wrapping Paper using ornaments and give it to Jingle.

• Receive the Magic Bag and deliver gifts to your villagers.

• Collect rewards for delivering gifts to all villagers.

• Exchange your own presents with villagers after Jingle’s deliveries.

• Check your stockings on December 25 for a special surprise.

What Items To Get:

• Festive Wrapping Paper DIY

• Magic Bag (event tool)

• Gift Pile DIY (for delivering half the presents)

• Toy Day Sleigh DIY (for delivering all presents)

• Toy Day Stockings (for giving wrapping paper to Jingle)

• Jingle’s Photo (from stockings on December 25)

• Christmas Toy Set furniture (from exchanging gifts with villagers; available at Nook’s Cranny all December)

7. New Year’s Countdown

Time: December 31
The final event of the year takes place at Resident Services plaza, where all your villagers gather to ring in the new year with a festive countdown, fireworks, and plenty of party accessories.

What To Do:

• Head to the plaza before midnight to join the celebrations.

• Receive a light stick and party popper from Isabelle.

• Buy New Year’s hats and noisemakers from Tom Nook.

• Watch the fireworks show as the clock strikes midnight.

• Enjoy the festive atmosphere with your villagers dressed in their party best.

What Items To Get:

• Light Stick

• Party Popper

• New Year’s Hats (various styles and colors)

• Seasonal Food Items: New Year’s Noodles, Berliner, Twelve Grape Dish, Sparkling Cider (available December 26–31 from Nook Shopping)

8. Villager Birthdays

Time: All through December

December is filled with villager birthdays. Make sure to check your calendar to celebrate with your favorite residents. These special days help add warmth to the winter season and deepen your friendships as you hand out gifts and join in their festivities.

What To Do:

• Check your island calendar for December birthdays.

• Visit the birthday villager’s house on their special day.

• Bring a wrapped gift to celebrate.

• Enjoy the birthday party and interact with guests.

What Items To Get:

• Birthday Tableware, Hats, and Decorations (from the party)

• Birthday-related dialogue and increased friendship with the birthday villager

9. ACNH December Critters (New and Returning)

As always, new bugs, fish, and deep-sea creatures appear with the change in season.

Northern Hemisphere:
Nine new critters can be found, including the Dung Beetle, Stringfish, and Lobster.

Southern Hemisphere:
Twenty-five new critters are available, such as the Rainbow Stag, Great White Shark, and Tiger Prawn.

Catching these creatures is a great way to complete your museum and prepare for the upcoming update.

10. ACNH December Updates to Scenery (Weather, Bush & More)

By December 11th, every island in the Northern Hemisphere is fully covered in snow, giving the entire area a magical winter appearance. Light snowfall can start as early as November 26th, becoming heavier as December continues.
Holly Bushes keep blooming in the Northern Hemisphere until the end of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, Blue and Pink Hydrangeas, and Pink and White Plumeria, begin to flower from December 1st and will continue into the new year and beyond the 3.0 update.