There are many different Events and Holidays that are celebrated in Animal Crossing. Some of these holidays are region specific but there is at least one event or holiday occurring each month to keep you busy.
Tournaments
Fishing Tourneys
The Fishing Tourney is held and judged by a beaver called Chip. He can be found on the day of the event at the Event Plaza next to the winner's tent. Size is all that matters in this event. The goal is to catch the largest fish and present it to Chip, though you won't get the fish back. The tourney can sometimes be limited to certain fish like Sea Bass, or it can have no restrictions at all.
Each time you beat the current record, Chip will give you a prize, which include exclusive fish-themed furniture not found anywhere else. Hence, you should only break the record with slightly larger fish repeatedly to get more items from him.
After the event has finished, a price-giving ceremony is held. If you enter the tent beside Chip, the ceremony will commence. If you get the 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the tourney, you will get a trophy for your efforts, which can be displayed in your home as furniture. If you aren't present for the ceremony, it will be canceled and the trophies will be mailed to the winners the next day.
Bug Off
The Bug-Off is ran and judged by a chameleon called Nat. He can be found in the plaza outside the winner's tent on the day of the Event. The objective is to catch the highest quality bugs. Nat judges each bug and assigns a score. Each bug is examined for rarity, size and lustre. Once you hand a bug over to Nat you will not get it back from him. The most rare bugs are the Golden Stag and the Horned Hercules which can easily be caught on The Island.
Each time you beat the current score, Nat will present you with an item. It makes sense to start off by giving him more common bugs first allowing you to break the record each time. This will help you get a lot of new items from him in one day.
If you place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the tournament you will be presented with a trophy during a prize-giving ceremony in the winner's tent. Displaying trophies in your home can help boost your HHA Score.
Holidays
Easter
Easter, or Bunny Day, takes place in Animal Crossing: New Leaf starting at 6am on Bunny Day and continuing until 6am the next day, for a total of 24 hours. There will be hidden Easter eggs around your village, and you can give them to Zipper, who is the Easter Bunny, to get Bunny Day furniture.
April Fool's Day
Halloween
On the 1st October a mysterious character called Jack will appear in your town. He has a pumpkin for a head and reminds you about the Halloween holiday. During October the Nooklings and the Able Sisters sell special Halloween items including furniture, candy and clothing. Collecting these items during the month will help with the Halloween event.
On Halloween night you use scary masks (purchased from the Able Sisters) to get candy from villagers. This candy can be exchanged for rare Spooky or Creepy furniture from Jack in the event plaza.
Weeding Day
Harvest Festival
During the Harvest Festival, you need to help Franklin the Turkey gather ingredients for meals. He will be available in the Town Plaza between 6am and 10pm. He needs help with four different dishes: Salad, Soup, Main and Dessert. He will tell you 3 of the items he needs but each dish has a 4th "secret" ingredient. You can trade for items with villagers that are dressed in the Chef Uniform. These villagers will also provide clues to the secret ingredients you need.
Here are all the recipes that Franklin can use. He will only make one from each category. Some items can only be acquired from your Chef villagers during the Festival.
Salads
| Recipe | Ingredients | Secret Ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Salad | Horse Mackerel | Red Snapper | Vinegar | Lemon |
| Fruit Salad | Apple | Orange | Vinegar | Beehive |
| Mixed Salad | Apple | Horse Mackerel | Skinny Mushroom | Vinegar |
| Mushroom Salad | Flat Mushroom | Round Mushroom | Vinegar | Apple |
| Oyster Salad | Oyster | Seaweed | Vinegar | Lemon |
Soups
| Recipe | Ingredients | Secret Ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit Soup | Cherry | Milk | Peach | Lemon |
| Mushroom Stew | Flat Mushroom | Milk | Round Mushroom | Butter |
| Shellfish Cream Soup | Clam | Milk | Scallop | Butter |
| Soup de Poisson | Olive Flounder | Red Snapper | Sea Bass | Lemon |
| Tom Yum Goong | Lobster | Skinny Mushroom | Vinegar | Coconut |
Mains
| Recipe | Ingredients | Secret Ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barred Knifejaw Sauté | Barred Knifejaw | Butter | Round Mushroom | Lemon |
| Dab Meunière | Dab | Skinny Mushroom | Wheat Flour | Vinegar |
| Olive Flounder Meunière | Olive Flounder | Flat Mushroom | Wheat Flour | Vinegar |
| Red Snapper Poele | Red Snapper | Skinny Mushroom | Wheat Flour | Lemon |
| Sea Bass Sauté | Sea Bass | Round Mushroom | Butter | Lemon |
Desserts
| Recipe | Ingredients | Secret Ingredient | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Pie | Apple | Lemon | Wheat Flour | Beehive |
| Banan Custard Pie | Banana | Lemon | Sugar | Beehive |
| Cherry Pie | Cherry | Lemon | Sugar | Beehive |
| Coconut Cream Pie | Coconut | Lemon | Sugar | Beehive |
| Full Fruit Pie | Orange | Pear | Butter | Lemon |
Toy Day
During the month of December your villagers will talk about Toy Day and give you clues about what they would like to receive from Jingle. It's important to take note of this information as it is random for each villager and a definitive list does not exist. The villagers will provide two clues - one will indicate the colour of the item and one will indicate the type of item. For example, a villager may request black clothing or green furniture.
Jingle will appear in your town on Toy Day (Christmas Eve) at 6pm. In order to help him you need to dress in the Santa outfit. All items will be available to purchase on that day from the Able Sisters and Kicks. Once you are ready to start, Jingle will give you a sack of presents. Each gift will correspond with an item requested by a villager. Simply visit each animal in your town and hand out the gifts.
Return to Jingle once you have handed out all the items and he will reward you with a Festive Wreath. If you deliver all the items to the correct animals, you will receive Jingle's pic in the mail the next day.
Calendar
January
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1st | 6am - Midnight | All | Chinese Zodiac Animal | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. The gift corresponds to the year of the particular Chinese zodiac animal. |
| New Leaf | January 16th | All Day | All | N/A | All the leaves turn green again. |
| Fishing Tourney | 3rd Saturday | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Lunar New Moon | Date Varies | 6am - Midnight | Korea | Yut | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. This event can occur in January or February. |
February
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groundhog Day | February 2nd | 6am - Midnight | North America | Resetti Model | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. |
| Setsubun | February 3rd | Japan | Oni Mask | ||
| Fishing Tourney | 2nd Saturday | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Valentine's Day | February 14th | All Day | All | Chocolate Cake | Isabelle sends a Chocolate Cake and a friendly animal provides a Chocolate Heart or Roses. The Roost serves Hot Chocolate rather than coffee. |
| Chocolate Heart | |||||
| Roses | |||||
| Leap Day | February 29th | All Day | All | N/A | Annoucement from Isabelle when loading game. |
| Festivale | Date Varies | All Day | All | Pavé Series Furniture | Pavé the peacock will standing in the Plaza, and feathers will float around the town all day. Pavé provides furniture as rewards for collecting the feathers. This event can occur in February or March. |
March
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hina Matsuri | March 1st | All Day | Japan | N/A | Shops carry special items. |
| Fishing Tourney | 3rd Saturday | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Shamrock Day | March 17th | 6am - Midnight | Europe | Shamrock Hat | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. |
| North America | |||||
| Father's Day | March 17th | All Day | Europe (Spain & Italy ONLY) | Red Carnation | "Dad" sends gift in the post. |
| Mother's Day | Date Varies | All Day | Europe | Pink Carnation | "Mum" sends gift in the post. |
| Easter | Date Varies | All Day | All | See above. | This event can occur in March or April. |
April
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April Fool's Day | April 1st | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Arbor Day | April 5th | 6am - Midnight | Korea | Hibiscus | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. |
| Fishing Tourney | 2nd Saturday | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Earth Day | April 22nd | 6am - Midnight | North America | Cool Globe | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. |
| Weeding Day | Last Friday of Month | All Day | North America | See above. | |
| Weeding Day | Last Saturday of Month | All Day | Europe | See above. |
May
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mother's Day | 1st Sunday | All Day | Europe (Spain) | Pink Carnation | "Mom" sends gift in the post. |
| Children's Day | May 5th | 6am - Midnight | Japan | Newsprint Helmet | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. |
| Parent's Day | May 8th | All Day | Korea | Pink Carnation | "Mom" sends gift in the post. |
| Mother's Day | Second Saturday of Month | All Day | Europe | Pink Carnation | "Mom" sends gift in the post. |
| North America | |||||
| Japan | |||||
| Father's Day | Date Varies | All Day | Europe (Germany) | Red Carnation | "Dad" sends gift in the post. |
| Teacher's Day | May 15th | 6am - Midnight | Korea | Red Carnation | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. |
| Fishing Tourney | Third Saturday of Month | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Mother's Day | Last Sunday of Month | All Day | Europe (France) | Pink Carnation | "Mum" sends gift in the post. |
June
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third Saturday of Month | Bug Off | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Father's Day | Third Saturday of Month | All Day | Europe (France & England) | Red Carnation | "Dad" sends gift in the post. |
| North America | |||||
| Japan | |||||
| Summer Solstice | June 20th ot 21st | 6am - Midnight | All | Ladder Shades | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. It will be sunny in the town all day, even at night. |
July
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanabata | July 7th | 6am - Midnight | Japan | Bamboo Grass | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. |
| Bug-Off | Third Saturday of Month | All Day | All | See above. |
August
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fireworks Display | Every Sunday | 7pm - Midnight | All | Various | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. Redd will also have a stand selling fortune cookies. |
| Obon | August 15th or 16th | 6am - Midnight | Japan | Eggplant Cow or Cucumber Horse | Isabelle will be standing in the Plaza, talk with her to receive gift. |
| Bug-Off | Third Saturday of Month | All Day | All | See above. |
September
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | All Day | North America | Picnic Basket | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive gift. |
| Weeding Day | September 3rd | All Day | Japan | See above. | |
| Bug-Off | Third Saturday in September | 9am-6pm | All | See above. | |
| Otsukimi | Date Varies | 6am - Midnight | Japan | Dango | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive gift. This event can occur in September or October. |
| Chuseok | Date Varies | 6am - Midnight | Korea | Songpyeon | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive gift. This event can occur in September or October. |
| Autumn Moon | Date Varies | 6am - Midnight | North America | Wheat Bundle | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive gift. |
| Autumn Moon | Date Varies | 6am - Midnight | Europe | Veggie Basket | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive gift. This event can occur in September or October. |
October
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer's Day | Second Monday in Month | 6am - Midnight | North America | Sailboat Model | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive gift. |
| Fishing Tourney | Second Saturday of Month | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Halloween | October 31st | 6pm - Midnight | All | See above. |
November
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing Tourney | Third Saturday of Month | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Harvest Festival | Fouth Thursday of Month | 6am - 10pm | All | See above. |
December
| Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Region | Prize | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naughty or Nice Day | December 6th | 6am - Midnight | Europe | Stocking | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive gift. |
| Fishing Tourney | Second Saturday of Month | All Day | All | See above. | |
| Winter Solstice | December 21st or 22nd | 6am - Midnight | All | Blue Light Stick | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive gift. |
| Christmas Eve | December 24th | All Day | All | Various | |
| Countdown | December 31st | 6am - Midnight | All | Various | Isabelle will be standing at the Plaza, talk to her to receive a region based gift. Redd has a stand where you can buy New Year hats. The Countdown Festival starts at 11:30pm. |