5 Best Festivals in Stardew Valley

A collage of five Stardew Valley festivals.

Stardew Valley boasts a wealth of content awaiting players to explore. This vast array of activities spans from the serene art of farming to the thrill of fishing, and even the opportunity to socialize with villagers during enchanting festivals. Among the delights in store, the game’s numerous annual festivals stand out. These festive occasions provide the town’s residents with a perfect excuse to unite and revel in the festivities of different holidays. This article compiles a list of the 5 best festivals in Stardew Valley, ensuring you don’t miss out on the finest celebrations in the game.

5. Feast of the Winter Star

The Feast of the Winter Star Stardew Valley square decorations.
Christmas in Stardew.

Stardew Valley’s equivalent of Christmas, the Feast of the Winter Star, marks a beloved annual tradition that takes place on Winter 25. Securing its spot at number 5 on our best festivals in Stardew Valley list is the enchanting secret Santa twist it brings to the festivities.

A week prior to the grand celebration, you are assigned a random villager for whom you must carefully select a gift. On the 25th, the exchange takes place, as you offer your chosen present to your designated villager and, in turn, receive a surprise gift yourself. The element of randomness infuses this event with intrigue, ensuring that each in-game year promises a fresh and engaging experience.

4. Luau

The Luau event in Stardew Valley.
What ingredient will you bring to the Luau?

Every Summer, on the 11th day, the villagers gather at Pelican Town’s lovely beach to welcome the Governor. They have a potluck-style meal, where everyone brings ingredients for soup. Some people add unusual items, like Mayor Lewis’s Lucky Purple Shorts, which adds a fun twist to the Luau.

Apart from the storyline, this festival offers an additional bonus. Depending on the ingredient you add to the soup, you can either increase or decrease your friendship with all villagers. This feature makes it a worthwhile annual event to participate in.

3. Stardew Valley Fair

The Stardew Valley fair in the Stardew Valley square area.
The Stardew Valley fair is full of activities.

Every year on the 16th of Fall, players can join a special festival in the Stardew Valley Fair in Pelican Town. At this event, you can participate in various carnival mini-games to earn Star Tokens, which you can exchange for rewards, including a Rarecrow. It’s also one of the few festivals where you can enjoy some food since Gus gives out free Survival Burgers.

The Grange Display contest is a central event among these activities. Much like the Luau, it provides an opportunity for creativity to shine as you display various items to your fellow villagers. This creative aspect makes it one of the standout festivals in the game.

2. Dance of the Moonlight Jellies

The Dance of the Moonlight Jellies festival in Stardew Valley.
The Dance of the Moonlight Jellies is an experience.

Shifting our focus, we have the Dance of the Moonlight Jellies, which offers a different kind of experience. This festival occurs on the evening of the 28th of Summer each year and, unlike the earlier festivals, it’s relatively passive. Despite that, it holds the second spot on my list.

I chose this festival because it’s a testament to ConcernedApe’s talents in art and music. The event is a pixel art masterpiece and features one of the best songs in Stardew Valley. To add an emotional touch to this festival, be sure to watch ConcernedApe play Dance of the Moonlight Jellies on his grandfather’s guitar.

1. Night Market

The Night Market in Stardew Valley.
The Night Market is the best festival.

The Night Market is the best festival in Stardew Valley. It runs from Winter 15 to 17, and during this time, players can visit the beach from 5 pm to 2 am. This festival offers a wide range of activities, including shopping, fishing, watching the mermaid show, and drinking free coffee.

What sets this event apart is that it doesn’t shut down the rest of Stardew Valley. Unlike other festivals, you can still accomplish tasks before joining in on the festivities. This flexibility, and the fact it occurs of multiple day, makes it easily the best festival in the game.

Explore more posts like this in our extensive Stardew Valley guide and walkthrough hub. On this page is other guides we’ve created to enrich your gaming experience in this charming title.

Share your thoughts on our 5 best festivals in Stardew Valley list in the comments below.

 

enricofairme

Enricofairme, founder of Hold to Reset, has spent over six years creating in-depth gaming guides, reviews, and news for a global audience. Passionate about gaming trends and player experiences, he covers everything from AAA titles to indie gems. Follow him on X for real-time gaming updates and insights.

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