Stardew Valley is more than just farming and mining, as there are also seasonal festivals that you can participate in throughout the year. The latest update, Patch 1.6, introduces a fresh major festival to the annual cycle, alongside two mini-fishing events designed to test your angling acumen. Here is everything you need to know about the festivals in Stardew Valley, including activities you can complete and rewards you can get.
Spring Festivals in Stardew Valley
There are now three festivals you can take part in during the Spring. There is the Egg Festival, the Desert Festival, and the Flower Dance.
Egg Festival
The Egg Festival is a one-day festival that takes place on the 13th of every Spring. You can begin the festival by entering the Pelican Town Square between 9 am and 2 pm. Once you’ve completed the festival, you will return home at 10 pm.
The main event of the Egg Festival is the Egg Hunt. In this event, you have to gather as many eggs as you can find within 50 seconds. In order to win, you need to collect nine eggs; otherwise, Abigail will win.
The prize for winning the Egg Hunt is a straw hat. Every year after that, you will receive 1,000 gold if you win.
There are some great items you can purchase from the shop available here, including Strawberry seeds, which are some of the best crops you can grow during the Spring. From the shop, you can buy the following:
- Lawn Flamingo
- Plush Bunny
- Seasonal Plants
- Strawberry Seeds
The Desert Festival (NEW)
The Desert Festival is the newest event to be added to Stardew Valley. It’s a three-day event that begins on the 15th of Spring and ends on the 17th. In order to access it, you need to make sure your bus is repaired. You can visit the festival from 9 am to 5 pm while it is ongoing.
There are a few things to take part in while you’re there. There is a spicy food vendor you can speak to where you can create a unique dish that is dependent on your ingredient preferences. Additionally, there are some special NPCs you can interact with, such as the Knowledge Scholar.
The main event of the Desert Festival is to collect Calico Eggs. You can then redeem them for rewards from the shop. The rewards include new cosmetics for your character or Mystery Boxes.
The Flower Dance
The Flower Dance takes place on the 24th of every Spring. You can take part in the festival by making your way to the Cindersap Forest between 9 am and 2 pm. As with the Egg Festival, you’ll be returned to the Farm at 10 pm.
You can purchase the following items from the shop:
- Dandelion
- Daffodil
- Tub O’ Flowers
- Seasonal Decor
- Seasonal Plants
- Rarecrow #5
During this event, you can talk to one of the other villagers and ask them to dance. Depending on your relationship level (you need four hearts with them), they may say no. If you’re in multiplayer, you can ask one of your friends, and it is their choice whether they accept or not.
By dancing with your partner, you increase your relationship level by 1 heart.
Summer Festivals in Stardew Valley
There are two festivals to take part in during the Summer, as well as one brand-new mini-festival.
Luau
The first festival in Summer is the Luau. This festival takes place on the 11th of every Summer. The player can access the Luau by going to the Beach between 9 am and 2 pm.
The main feature of the Luau is a massive potluck soup in the middle of the Beach. You have to add an item of your choosing (including Lewis’ shorts.) Depending on the item you add to the soup, the Governor and Mayor Lewis will have a different reaction.
The soup has the potential to add or subtract friendship points with the villagers.
Trout Derby (NEW)
The Trout Derby is a new mini-festival that has been added to the game. You can participate in this festival between Summer 20-21. To participate, go to the river under Marnie’s Ranch.
You have to catch Rainbow Trout and hope that they carry a Golden Tag. These Golden Tags can be turned in for rewards from the man in the tent. There are items to be earned, such as a Tent Kit or Deluxe Bait, depending on what you prefer.
Dance of the Moonlight Jellies
The Dance of the Moonlight Jellies takes place on the 28th of Summer. Enter the Beach between 10 pm and 12 am.
There isn’t anything to do at this festival other than watch the migrating Jellyfish on the docks with the other villagers. You’ll then be returned to the Farm at 12 am.
Fall Festivals in Stardew Valley
There are two festivals that you can take part in during the Fall.
Stardew Valley Fair
The Stardew Valley Fair takes place on the 16th of Fall every year. You can take part in the fair by heading to the Pelican Town Square between 9 am and 3 pm.
During this festival, there are several minigames that you can play so that you can earn Star Tokens, which are then used to purchase rewards. Additionally, there is a Grange Display contest where you can showcase products from your farm and win Star Tokens.
One of the main items you can purchase for Star Tokens at the fair is the Stardrop, which increases your Health and Energy bar.
Spirit’s Eve
Spirit’s Eve takes place on the 27th of Fall every year. To participate, head to the Pelican Town Town Square between 10 pm and 11:50 pm.
There is a maze that you can complete in order to get the Golden Pumpkin, which, when sold, can get you 2,500 Gold. Pierre is also running a store during this festival, where you can get the following items:
- Rarecrow
- Jack-O-Lantern
- Jack-O-Lantern recipe
Winter Festivals in Stardew Valley
There are three main festivals and one mini-festival during the Winter in Stardew Valley.
Festival of Ice
The Festival of Ice happens on the 8th of Winter every year. This festival takes place in the Cindersap Forest, and you can join between 9 am and 2 pm.
During the festival, you can set up igloos, or you can participate in the Ice Fishing contest. In order to win the contest, you need to catch five fish or more. For winning, you’ll be given the following items:
- 2 Tackles
- 1 Magnet Bait
- 1 Sailor’s Cap
Any subsequent wins in the following years will reward you with 2,000 Gold.
Squidfest (NEW)
This festival takes place on Winter 12-13. If you head to the beach, you’ll be able to catch Squids and hand them in for a prize.
There is Squid bait in the water, meaning you have a much higher chance of catching a Squid.
Night Market
The Night Market takes place between Winter 15-17 between the hours of 5 pm and 2 am. There are a slew of items you can buy at the Night Market, as well as experiencing a unique Mermaid Show.
You can catch unique fish if you use the deep-sea fishing submarine.
Feast of the Winter Star
The Feast of the Winter Star takes place on the 25th of Winter every year. To take part, enter the Pelican Town Square between 9 am and 2 pm.
The main attraction of the festival is gift-giving. You are assigned a random villager who you will then have to get a gift for, and someone else will get you a gift in return. You’ll receive a cutscene with the villager after you have exchanged gifts.
That is everything you need to know about all of the festivals in Stardew Valley. Some of these festivals are significantly more fun than others, but it can be beneficial to try and attend them all at least once.
