It’s time to get all snuggly in front of a crackling fire, roast up some chestnuts, down a gallon of hot chocolate, and log into your favorite online RPGs for seasonal festivities! Or you could “bah humbug!” your way through the season and ignore all of the silly, free, and rewarding events if you so desire. We’re not here to tell you what to do, after all!
With extra time off of work and school, many gamers have the opportunity to take advantage of all of the winter holiday events that are running across MMORPGs, MOBAs, and other online games. Feeling at a loss about where to start? Board the Massively OP sleigh and join us as we take you on a tour of all of the Christmas events going on right now!
AdventureQuest 3D: Frost Labyrinth
“As a time sensitive seasonal area, it makes sense to release this frozen realm first, before Ashfall. Frostvale is definitely warm and lighthearted compared to the dark storyline coming next in the epic Dragons of Ashfall Saga. The plot will be intriguing to long time players of our games, and will feature our first ever 3-D Frost Moglins.”
Albion Online: Hide and Seek Holiday Event
Testers can attempt to find three of Uncle Frost’s merry helpers in PvP zones in order to win chests, artifacts, and even a direbear mount. To make matters even more tricky, the reward is only given out once per helper to one person at that location before the helper relocates.
APB Reloaded: Christmas Event 2016
Christmas outfits and even a Santa truck (don’t ask) are all part of the fun of this holiday event.
ArcheAge: Winter Maiden Festival
“This includes the return of the Kyprosa Winter Furs, a new holiday costume, and new holiday weapon skins.” Starts December 21st.
Welcome to SNOWMAGEDDON, the brutal, take-no-prisoners, open-all-presents throwdown that only Atlas Reactor has the guts to operate! Well, it’s a lot more fluffy and spirited that, as the game introduced a Christmas-themed winter map and festive skins for some of its characters.
Grab a limited-time deal in this MMO while enjoying winter decorations and the occasional present-dropping Santa flying overhead!
Blade and Soul: Winter Festivities
Winter holiday festivities give players a lot to do, with decorated locations, new music, the Frozen Firing Range event dungeon, and wintery loot.
Champions Online: Attack of the Misfit Toys
This event transforms Millenium City into Christmasland while coming under attack by some very scary toys. New rewards can be purchased every week. (Ends January 5th)
DC Universe Online: Season’s Greedings
It’s time for the holidays in DC Universe Online once again, and that means that a supervillain is going to try to ruin the celebration. Of course, this also means that whether you’re a hero or a villain, you can work on saving Christmas in exchange for a bunch of new holiday costume pieces and base decorations. (Ends December 31st)
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been naughty or nice, either way you can battle it out with the Volge in Solstice Strike and hunt down the Abominable Warmaster in special summoned Major Arkfalls!” (Ends January 2nd)
The Dawning brings back racing with new hoverbike tracks and new Sparrows to race. There’s also new gear to strut around in, including seasonal headpieces, and there are plenty of festive quests and the joy of competitive scoring. (Ends January 3rd)
“Find Dainty Dina in any main city to be teleported to the new Christmas map. There are a bunch of new quests to discover!” (Ends January 28th)
EVE Online: Yoiul Festival SKINs
“With the holiday season fast approaching, and the CONCORD hosted Yoiul Festival right on the horizon, these Glacial Drift SKINs will be released for all frigates, destroyers and cruisers with 118.10 so that capsuleers can enjoy the holiday spirit in style.”
“The candy canes. The snowflakes. The brilliantly wrapped boxes. It can only mean one thing… Frostfell has returned to Norrath!” (Ends January 7th)
Players can earn 15 items from Santa Glug, seven of which are completely new to the game. This year also features a new quest in which you lead a lost little goblin around, and crafters can also make new outfits while other players purchase cosmetic armor both new and old. (Ends January 5th)
Final Fantasy XI: Celestial Nights
“During the Starlight Celebration, special minigames will be available for adventurers to enjoy. Clearing this mini game will not only grant the winner a new sitting emote, but also Starlight Celebration-themed items, synthesis ingredients for the Orchestrion furnishing, as well as sheet music key items!” (Ends December 31st)
Final Fantasy XIV: Starlight Celebration
“A Starlight celebrant of Ul’dah seeks to bring merriment and good cheer to the boys and girls of a local children’s ward. If you would ensure these hapless younglings have a reason to smile this year, pray seek her out, and learn what you can do to help.” (Ends December 31st)
Forsaken World: Winter Festival
This festival boasts 12 days of giveaways, festive quests, and lots of rewards including holiday pets, XP items, and character boosts. (Ends December 31st)
“It’s time for Wintersday, that joyous time of year when towns glimmer with festive decor, vendors offer seasonal treats, and the hearts of Tyrians everywhere are filled with goodwill. (Ends January 2nd)
“It’s time for long winter nights, snowball fights, and exchanging gifts. Join your friends in Divinity’s Reach for this traditional Tyrian holiday, and visit Toymaker Tixx in his impressive Infinirarium. ArenaNet developers will be celebrating the release alongside players, so look for them in game and help us spread seasonal cheer!”
Heroes of the Storm: Winter Veil
New skins can be purchased, but for those wanting freebies, a snowflake portrait and goblin mount is yours for participating in 25 games. Additionally, a 25% XP boost will be running for the duration of the event. (Ends January 4th)
Landmark: Winter Holiday Island
“The Winter Holiday Island is up for anyone who wants to take advantage of it with a winter-themed build. We expect to leave it up at least till early January.”
Lord of the Rings Online: Yule Festival
End the year with a trip to the town of Winter-home, where all of your favorite Yule Festival activities and quests have returned. There’s an interactive theater, a snowball fight, an eating contest, and the ability to aid the rich or poor. (Ends January 9th)
“The holidays have come to Maple World! We’re hosting a bunch of joyous seasonal activities for you to enjoy. Visit Happyville, decorate a Christmas Tree, receive special gifts, and more!” (Ends December 27th) There’s also a holiday invasion to fend off until January 4th.
Neverwinter: Winter Festival of Simril
This winter festival has companions and mounts to be earned while you go high-speed sledding and ice fishing. Double bonuses run all month long as well. (Ends January 5th)
Overwatch is introducing its Winter Wonderland event for the first time this year. In addition to cozy decorations, the team shooter is adding winter loot boxes (with 100 seasonal items) and the new Mei’s Snowball Offensive 6v6 brawl. The event will conclude on January 2nd.
“‘Tis the season for Paladins, and in addition to the 12 Days of Paladins rewards, ALL boosters are 25% off December 16th through 27th!”
“Winterfest has descended upon Agora, and beginning November 29th, you’ll have the chance to receive in-game items and rewards from us here at Epic and other community members.” (Ends January 9th)
Perfect World International: 12 Days of Giveaways
The studio has 12 days of giveaways planned, not to mention free golden treasures in the game. Need more goodies? Do the penguin march in Frigid Bay for a special present! (Ends December 31st)
Pirate101: 12 Days of the Spiral
“Each day we have a different surprise in store for both your Wizard and your Pirate! Some days will be free giveaways, while the others have great promotions or new items.” (Ends December 20th)
“Auraximas is in the air, which means it’s time for a whole new series of deals! To celebrate the season, we’re bringing you 25 days of Auraximas specials in the Depot, now through December 25th.”
There’s this Holiday Pikachu running about, just begging to be captured. Even better? You can evolve him to become Holiday Raichu. This was written by an author who has no idea what any of this means.
Christmas is coming to this game’s testing phases!
Riders of Icarus: December attendance event
“Get free stuff just for logging in! Riders can receive a reward each day when they log in to Riders of Icarus. There are a few new items that will be available through the attendance event this month. Get a First Snow Blessing and a Cheerful Snowman for numerous buffs for 15 days.”
“We’re bringing back everything you love about Fae Yule, and a bunch of new features! As a result of the #ladybeards campaign, Greatfather Frost will offer a unisex Fae Yule Bearded Cap in the RIFT store — and that’s just the start!”
“Revisit Christmas events past in Frostworld, this year’s holiday quest. You’ll have the opportunity to visit Christmas events past, picking up rewards you might have missed over the years, or just enjoying some good old nostalgia.”
Runes of Magic: Snowflake Festival
“Taborea lies bedecked in a blanket of snow — the Snowflake Festival is in full swing! To celebrate, the Phirius Workshops have come up with some special offers. Slip into a festive costume, decorate your house, and get into the Christmas spirit!” (Ends January 9th)
The Secret World: Krampusnacht
“Agartha is dressed up as a winter wonderland, and you’ll be able to jump into a new Snowball Fight minigame with your friends! New achievements and a new emote await for those who want to get in on the fun! To round it all out, Niflheim, the Christmas Conspiracy, and End of Days return!”
“My.com is proud to announce our largest community event of the year, 12 Days of Christmas which will kick off starting December 12th and will feature many community events until December 24th on our Skyforge Facebook page!”
The Drynch has stolen Midwinter, but that won’t stop players from enjoying a creation contest, something called a “feastival,” ice skating, and a great icescape. Do all of these to win a free Midwinter banner!
“Indulge in free gems, pantheon chest sales, and double experience/worshipers all week long. Each day, there will be a new pantheon-specific quest players can participate in that will yield 25 gems upon completion. That means you can earn up to 175 gems during Saturnalia!” (Ends December 26th)
Star Trek Online: Q’s Winter Wonderland
The Winter Wonderland introduces Klingon ice fishing for the first time. The big prize this year is an earnable Tier 6 Breen Chel Boalg warship! (Ends January 12th)
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Life Day
Throw snowballs all willy-nilly to win snow-covered parcels and the awesome prizes contained within. Even droids want to get in on the action! (Ends January 10th)
Swordsman: Snowballs and Snowmen
This short-duration event gives players snowballs to with which to pelt each other, attackable Christmas trees for those suffering from holiday stress, and even free gifts from Santa. (Ends December 28th)
“Join in on the battleground action and earn your share of cool items, including a special ‘jackpot’ for the winning team, a Wintera Ice Box.” (Ends January 3rd)
The Elder Scrolls Online: New Life Festival
The Festival is live through January 4th, granting racial quests for winter loot.
Tree of Savior: Giftful Season
Grab a free daily gift every day from the notice board! (Ends December 27th)
Wakfu is offering players more substantial prizes with its advent calendar for the holiday season. In order to be eligible to take part, you have to have made some kind of purchase from the game’s in-game shop since January 1st, 2016, or just have active Booster Pack Days on your account.
WildStar’s winter event returns for a “corporate-sponsored, consumer-driven holiday.” Doesn’t that sound like fun? It is, actually. Winterfest invites players to head up into a floating skymall (an actual one that doesn’t just exist in magazines) to engage in all sorts of zany quests for special rewards (Ends January 1st)
“Yuletide is here again! Felix Navidad is back in the shopping district with all of his holiday items, plus some of your favorite items from Yuletides past are back.”
“Accomplish missions, get decorations, dress the Christmas tree and Snowitzer with them, level up the holiday atmosphere, and get a box of presents for each level.”
World of Warcraft: Feast of the Winter Veil
Azerothians are preparing for the return of the Feast of Winter Veil. Quests, toys, and even kissing is on tap for this annual event, and you’ll want to make sure to log in on December 25th to grab your free presents from underneath Greatfather Winter’s tree! (Ends January 2nd)
