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The New Year’s Eve countdown in Animal Crossing: New Horizons begins at 7 p.m. on December 31. Go to the plaza outside Resident Services to join the island celebration, collect party goods, and watch the fireworks at midnight.
When does the countdown event start?
Nintendo schedules the event to begin at 7 p.m. on December 31. Plan to be on your island that evening, and head to the plaza before midnight so you are there for the countdown and fireworks. Nintendo’s event announcement gives the start time at its New Year’s Eve event page.
Where to go and what happens?
The gathering takes place in the plaza outside Resident Services. Tom Nook and Isabelle are there, and a countdown clock is set up for the occasion. Residents gather in the plaza as the evening celebration leads into the midnight countdown.
At midnight, players can count down with friends and watch the fireworks display. Nintendo describes the celebration in its Animal Crossing holiday tips.
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![Animal Crossings New Horizons - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ErvUL40zL._SL160_.jpg)
- Build your community from scratch on a deserted island brimming with possibility; Create your personal getaway and customize your character, home, decorations, and even the landscape itself
- Collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools. Then, use what you create to give your island a personal touch
- Watch as the time of day and seasons match real life—even your hemisphere. Each day holds potential for surprises and discoveries
- Get to know the island residents, garden, fish, decorate, hunt for fossils, and more.
- Show off your paradise – play on the same system with a total of 4 people, or play together online or over local wireless for fun with up to 8 players
What can you get for the celebration?
Party goods from Isabelle and Tom Nook
Isabelle and Tom Nook provide party goods for the event. These are celebratory extras, not equipment needed to activate or finish the countdown.
Sparkling cider
Sparkling cider is a seasonal item available through Nook Shopping after Toy Day. Nintendo Life notes that your character can hold it for a toast; it is optional and does not determine whether the countdown appears. See Nintendo Life’s event guide for details on the plaza setup and item.
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- Share Your Paradise - Show off your island utopia to family and friends - or pack your bags and visit theirs.
- Get Building - Experience a robust new crafting system - collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools!
- Create Your Perfect Getaway - Craft everything from tools to creature comforts as you create and customize your island community.
- Explore Your Island - Collect bugs, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean.
- Play Together - Up to eight players can reside on an island; four residents of the same island can play together simultaneously on a single system.
What to check if the event is missing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons uses the Nintendo Switch’s date and time for its real-time schedule. If the expected plaza celebration is absent on December 31, check these official first steps:
- Make sure the console’s date and time are accurate.
- Check that the game has the latest software update.
- When the event is scheduled, connect to the internet using a user profile linked to a Nintendo Account.
Nintendo lists these checks in its event support guidance. It is general guidance, so these checks do not establish a single cause for every missing-event situation.
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![Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JAzQozLgL._SL160_.jpg)
- Take in-game photos of your designs and add them to your portfolio. Show them to other characters and you may get more requests to create vacation homes. Share the photos with other players using the in-game Showroom in the Happy Home Network app and they can tour your personally-designed resort islands or go tour theirs for some relaxation and inspiration.
- Purchase the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC from Nintendo eShop, or download and play it as part of an active Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack membership at no extra cost.
What you need to participate
The countdown is an in-game event in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch. The event guidance does not identify special gear or a purchase such as cider as a requirement. Nintendo’s product page identifies the game as a Nintendo Switch title.
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