July 2026 brings a vibrant and content-packed summer update to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, filling your island with festive events, exclusive seasonal items, fresh collectible critters, limited-time materials, recipes and gameplay changes. As the peak of Northern Hemisphere summer, this month blends traditional cultural celebrations, ocean-themed fun, Western-style festival content, and classic monthly game tournaments. Whether you want to decorate your island with gorgeous summer decor, complete your critter encyclopedia, or earn plenty of Bells and exclusive rewards, the July 2026 update has something wonderful for every player. This full guide will break down all key content, including detailed event schedules, obtainable items, game adjustments, new and departing critters, and extra in-game tips for you to make the most of your summer island life.
ACNH July 2026 Events (Northern Hemisphere)
July 2026 features six major limited-time events spanning cultural festivals, shopping events, and classic ACNH tournaments. Each event has a fixed time window and unique rewards, so mark your calendar to avoid missing exclusive content.
1. Tanabata (Starcrossed Day) Nook Shopping Event (July 1 – July 7, 2026)
Tanabata is a traditional Japanese star festival that honors the romantic legend of the star-crossed lovers Hikoboshi and Orihime, who meet once a year across the Milky Way. This week-long Nook Shopping event lets players grab dreamy star and bamboo-themed items to create a fairy-tale summer island scene. Your villagers will even write warm wishes on the event’s signature bamboo grass, adding a lively and heartfelt touch to your island. All items are only available via the Nook Shopping menu during this period and cannot be crafted or purchased in regular shops.
2. Le 14 Juillet Nook Shopping Event (July 10 – July 20, 2026)
This event celebrates France’s Bastille Day, bringing elegant French-themed decorative and wearable items to Nook Shopping. It runs parallel to the Marine Day event, letting players collect two styles of summer decor at the same time. The items feature classic French festive elements, perfect for building European-style plazas and outdoor dining areas on your island.
3. Marine Day Nook Shopping Event (July 11 – July 20, 2026)
Kicking off the peak summer ocean celebration, Marine Day offers a full set of nautical and beach-themed items. These casual, refreshing pieces match perfectly with summer beaches, diving spots, and seaside villager yards. You can use these items to renovate your island’s coastline into a vibrant summer resort area.
4. July Fishing Tourney (July 11, 2026)
Hosted by the fish-loving NPC C.J., the July Fishing Tourney takes place on the second Saturday of the month. During the event, players join a special timed challenge: catch as many fish as possible within 3-minute rounds. Every catch earns tournament points, which can be exchanged for exclusive fishing-themed furniture, decor, and practical guide items. July is one of the busiest fishing months in ACNH, with 58 total fish available, making this tourney the best chance to collect rare ocean and river species while earning rewards.
5. Cowboy Festival Nook Shopping Event (July 15 – August 15, 2026)
As the longest-running summer festival in July 2026, the Cowboy Festival lasts for a full month, extending into early August. It introduces fun Western rodeo-style items, including wearable outfits and interactive toy decor. This unique theme lets players build wild west-themed zones on their islands, a fresh style different from traditional summer and festival decor.
6. July Bug-Off (July 25, 2026, Northern Hemisphere Only)
The July Bug-Off is hosted by the bug enthusiast Flick on the fourth Saturday of July. This is the only month in 2026 with both a Fishing Tourney and a Bug-Off, doubling your chances to collect exclusive tournament rewards. Players hunt for various summer bugs in timed challenges to earn bug-themed furniture and decorations. With 61 total bugs available in July, including 21 new spawns, this event is ideal for completing your insect encyclopedia.
Complete List of ACNH July 2026 Items
All below items are limited to their corresponding event periods. Most can only be ordered through Nook Shopping, while tournament rewards are obtained by exchanging event points. No regular shop restocks these exclusive pieces after the events end.
1. Tanabata Event Items (Jul 1 – Jul 7)
Bamboo Grass: The core Tanabata decor. You can buy it from Nook Shopping for 3,080 Bells during the Tanabata Nook Shopping seasonal event. Interact with bamboo grass, it will show a random piece of tanzaku, which is related to a villager personality or a special character.
2. Le 14 Juillet (Bastille Day) Items (Jul 10 – Jul 20)
Phrygian Cap: A limited-time French Liberty headwear released in the 1.10.0 Free Update, available for 880 Bells via Nook Shopping only during this seasonal event. It comes in 5 vibrant color variations, wearable by both your player character and all island villagers, perfect for Bastille Day themed outfits and patriotic island styling. Sells for 220 Bells when resold.
3. Marine Day Items (Jul 11 – Jul 20)
Ship-Wheel Door Decoration: A wall-mounted nautical furniture piece added in the 1.10.0 Free Update, priced at 1,300 Bells on Nook Shopping for Marine Day. Unique dual-use decor that hangs on interior walls or mounts directly to player/villager house doors and Happy Home Paradise vacation home entrances, with an official Ocean HHA theme ideal for beachside island builds. Sells for 325 Bells; no customizable color variations.
4. July Fishing Tourney Items (Jul 11)
Anchor Statue: Heavy coastal display furniture with 6 color variations, sell price 1400 Bells, a statement nautical centerpiece for fishing-themed yards and rooms.
Fish Doorplate: Decorative wall/door signage featuring aquatic motifs, available in 8 distinct fish variations, sells for 90 Bells.
Fish-Drying Rack: Rustic cottage-style furniture with 3 seafood design variations, great for outdoor beach setups, resells for 750 Bells.
Fish Pochette: Compact fish-print crossbody wearable bag, casual summer accessory, sell value 210 Bells.
Fish Print: Large framed wall art showcasing different fish species across 7 visual variations, sells for 700 Bells.
Fish-Print Tee: Casual everyday short-sleeve top covered in cute fish graphics, sells for 160 Bells.
Fish Rug: Soft floor mat printed with underwater wildlife patterns, matches marine interior themes, resells at 375 Bells.
Fish Umbrella: Weatherproof seasonal umbrella decorated with fish artwork, sells for only 80 Bells.
Fish Wand: Powerful magic wand furniture that lets you quickly switch between fish-themed outfits, high resale value of 1500 Bells.
Fishing-Rod Stand: Practical storage furniture for your fishing gear, offered in 3 wood variations, sells for 300 Bells.
Fresh Cooler: Beach-ready storage cooler for fishing trips, functional summer decor, resells for 450 Bells.
Marine Pop Wall: Bold ocean-inspired wallpaper with bright pop-art fish designs, sell price 805 Bells.
Tackle Bag: Small handheld fishing gear bag accessory, lightweight wearable item selling for 175 Bells.
Giant Fish Trophy: Premium milestone furniture mailed by C.J. for hitting high point benchmarks, an exclusive display piece to showcase your tournament fishing achievements.
Fish Net Decor: Rustic woven fishing net ornament usable as wall hanging or ground decor to layer coastal fishing vibes.
C.J.’s Fishing Guide: Collectible lore book filled with in-game fishing tips, species fun facts and exclusive tournament background text.
5. Cowboy Festival Items (Jul 15 – Aug 15)
Rodeo-Style Springy Ride-on: Outdoor houseware furniture introduced in the 1.4.0 Summer Update, purchasable for 2,000 Bells through Nook Shopping exclusively during the Cowboy Festival seasonal window. This interactive bouncy ride-on toy is playable by players and villagers alike; placing it outdoors grants +0.5 island development rating points. It has fixed brown/white rodeo styling with no customization options and sells for 500 Bells.
6. July Bug-Off Items (Jul 25)
Artisanal Bug Cage: Premium glass display furniture for showcasing your caught bugs, resells for 450 Bells.
Bug Aloha Shirt: Tropical short-sleeve shirt printed with colorful beetle and butterfly graphics, sell price 240 Bells.
Bug Cage: Simple compact insect storage display furniture, sells for 122 Bells.
Bug Wand: Magic wand accessory to instantly equip bug-inspired clothing sets, high resale value of 1500 Bells.
Butterflies Wall: Decorative wall panel covered in vibrant butterfly illustrations, sells for 840 Bells.
Butterfly Backpack: Light wearable backpack patterned with butterfly artwork, casual summer bug-event accessory, resells at 210 Bells.
Ladybug Rug: Soft floor mat dotted with ladybug prints, fits garden and greenhouse build themes, sells for 375 Bells.
Ladybug Umbrella: Lightweight rain umbrella covered in cute ladybug designs, low resale value of 80 Bells.
Spider Doorplate: Creepy-cute insect signage for walls and house doors, available in 8 unique spider variations, sells for 90 Bells.
Spider Web: Small delicate wall decor mimicking woven spider silk, subtle spooky accent piece reselling for 25 Bells.
Termite Mound: Tall earthy furniture piece replicating natural termite nests, perfect for wild overgrown island zones, sell price 550 Bells.
Toy Centipede: Small playful decorative insect figurine for tabletop and shelf styling, sells for 50 Bells.
Toy Cockroach: Tiny novelty bug ornament for whimsical, wild-themed room decor, resells at 70 Bells.
Scarab Figurine: Detailed polished beetle statue for museum exhibits, garden displays and bug-collection room centerpieces.
Grasshopper Decor: Mini lively insect ornament ideal for filling green spaces, flower beds and natural forest island layouts.
Insect Habitat: Multi-compartment display furniture designed to exhibit your full collection of summer event bugs as a curated feature wall or yard focal point.
ACNH July 2026 Recipes, Materials & Changes
Besides festive events and new items, the July 2026 update brings several practical adjustments to improve your daily island gameplay, focusing on seasonal crafting, star sign content, and long-term event optimization.
First, new seasonal DIY recipe access is available from June 22 to July 22, 2026. Players can obtain the exclusive Cancer Table Recipe from Celeste. To craft this furniture, you need to collect Cancer Fragments, which wash up on your island beach the day after you wish on shooting stars. This adds a new zodiac-themed craftable item for summer home decor.
Second, the Leo Season starts on July 23 and lasts until August 22, 2026. During this period, Celeste will offer the brand-new Leo Sculpture Recipe, a wall-mounted zodiac furniture. You can gather Leo Fragments from shooting star wish events to craft this unique decorative piece, expanding your zodiac furniture collection.
Third, the update optimizes seasonal event rules. All July limited items are marked clearly in the Nook Shopping menu with event countdowns, helping players track deadlines easily. Additionally, tournament point exchange limits have been slightly adjusted, allowing casual players to collect full sets of tourney items without excessive grinding.
ACNH July 2026 Critter Guide (Northern Hemisphere)
July is a peak season for critter spawns in ACNH, with massive new additions to fish, bugs, and sea creatures. Only a small number of species depart this month, making it the perfect time to finish your encyclopedia and farm Bells by selling rare critters.
1. Fish: New Arrivals & Departing Species
A total of 58 fish are available in July 2026, making it the second-busiest fishing month of the year. Five new fish arrive, and only one species leaves at the end of July.
Departing Fish (Leave after July):
Tadpole. This common pond creature spawns all day long. Be sure to catch it before July ends to avoid missing it until next year.
New Arriving Fish (July Exclusive & Summer Spawns):
Sweetfish: A common river fish available all day. It sells for 900 Bells, making it a stable and easy source of income.
Napoleon Fish: A rare ocean fish spawning most hours of the day. It has a high selling price due to its low spawn rate, available only in July and August.
Puffer Fish: An all-day ocean fish with the same shadow size as a horse mackerel, easy to spot and catch for mid-tier Bell profits.
Blue Marlin: A rare pier-exclusive fish. It requires plenty of bait to spawn, but it is one of the most valuable summer ocean fish.
Ocean Sunfish: A fin-shadow ocean fish that sells for 4,000 Bells, a worthwhile catch for casual and dedicated players alike.
2. Bugs: Massive New Summer Insect Spawns
61 bugs are active in July 2026, covering over 80% of the entire insect encyclopedia. 21 new bugs spawn this month, with only one bug departing after July, bringing huge collection opportunities.
Departing Bug:
Honeybee. It will disappear after July and will not return until March next year, so catch it early for your museum collection.
Notable New Summer Bugs:
Grasshopper: A common daytime ground bug, active across all summer days.
Cicada Family: Including Brown Cicada, Robust Cicada, Giant Cicada, and Evening Cicada. All cicadas are exclusive to July and August. The Evening Cicada only spawns during early morning (4 AM–8 AM) and evening (4 PM–7 PM) hours with a unique chirping sound.
Scarab Beetle: A rare night-only bug (spawning after 11 PM), one of the core Bug-Off target species.
High-Value Stag Beetles: Including Sauce Stag, Mayama Stag, Giant Stag, Cyclomatist Stag, Golden Stag, and Giraffe Stag. The Golden Stag and Giraffe Stag tie for the highest selling price of all bugs in the game (12,000 Bells each), spawning on palm trees at night.
Rare Horned Beetles: Horn Dynastid, Mighty Horned Atlas, Horned Elephant, and Horned Hercules, all high-value palm tree bugs for Bell farming.
Walking Stick & Walking Leaf: Camouflaged bugs that spawn in early morning and evening, easy to miss if you do not look carefully.
3. Sea Creatures: New Diving Collectibles
24 sea creatures are available for underwater diving in July 2026, with 3 new arrivals and 1 departing species. Diving is fully active this month, letting you expand your marine life encyclopedia.
Departing Sea Creature:
Seaweed. A common shallow-water creature, collect it before August to complete your monthly collection.
New Arriving Sea Creatures:
Moon Jellyfish: A glowing marine creature with beautiful visual effects, perfect for museum displays.
Giant Isopod: A fast-swimming deep-sea creature, very challenging to catch but highly valuable.
Horseshoe Crab: A rare night-only diving creature, with a decent selling price for dedicated divers.
