The holidays are the perfect time to set aside the cares and worries of the daily grind and spend time with those who matter most. They’re an essential part of worldbuilding for any work of fiction, but most creators simply file the serial numbers off existing Earth holidays.
That being said, some games go the extra mile, creating holidays that form a memorable part of the game’s world. The best in-game holidays add more spice and lore to the work they’re a part of, while also giving you something to do. Here are some of our favorite holidays in games.
7Life Day
Star Wars Expanded Universe
The originalStar Warsholiday special wasn’t great. Even George Lucas has gone on the record as preferring to act as if it never existed, but some ideas it introduced remain in the Star Wars canon. One of those is Life Day, a Wookiee holiday dedicated to peace, love, and family.
Life Day continued to be mentioned and observed throughout the various Star Wars materials, including the video games. Star Wars: Galaxies ran a Life Day event every year during its lifespan, while Star Wars: The Old Republic has various forms of Life Day DLC available.
6Brightfest
Eberron (Dungeons & Dragons)
Eberron doesn’t quite get as much love as the Forgotten Realms inDungeons & Dragons, which is a pity. It’s a setting built out of love and careful attention to detail, so it’s no surprise that creator Keith Baker left no stone unturned when it comes to worldbuilding. Brightfest is just one of Eberron’s many holidays.
Shifters are the main group that observes Brightfest, although if you’re the DM, you can probably expand this to anyone you feel makes sense. Most of the holiday’s revelries revolve around physical exertion, with athletic feats and wild dancing a necessary part of any Brightfest itinerary.
5Festivo Dello Estinto
Vampire: The Masquerade
Unlike the more ‘humane’ (by comparison) vampires of the Camarilla and the Anarchs, the Sabbat embrace their monstrous nature. In an attempt to distinguish themselves from human culture, vampires in the Sabbat have formed a number of traditions, including their own holidays.
The Festivo Dello Estinto is a week-long celebration of what it means to be a vampire. Revelers can set up and take part in a wide range of gory and violent activities, almost none of which are good news if you happen to be a human caught in their midst. From torture contests to blood-spattered art fairs, you’re guaranteed to have the time of your unlife.
4Neighborhood Brawl
The Sims 4
Sure, The Sims 4 hasa whole slew of holidaysfor your enjoyment. And yes, Winterfest gives you the opportunity to decorate a tree, eat a Grand Meal, and seduce Father Winter into being the father of one of your many children. But no other holiday gives you and your Sims the same primal joy as Neighborhood Brawl.
During the entire day, your Sims can fight with just about any other Sim they come across. Friends, family, lovers: no one is safe from the siren song of hand-to-hand combat. The best part? While fighting usually decreases your relationship values with other Sims, it’s considered a friendly interaction during Neighborhood Brawl.
3Fugue Feast
Dishonored Series
The Fugue Feast comes at the end of the year in the world ofDishonored, but it’s no ordinary celebration of the year’s turning. The day immediately after the world’s end is considered to be “outside of time”, existing outside the world’s calendar. The effects of this are profound indeed.
It’s difficult to describe the Fugue Feast in a succinct manner, but it’s a bit of a combination between New Years' revelries and the Purge. Celebrants spend the day indulging in their deepest vices and fantasies, free from the consequences of the law. Sometimes this is as tame as having an affair or doing drugs, but murder and other crimes are also on the table.
2Day Of Wonders
Forgotten Realms (Dungeons & Dragons)
The Day of Wonders is mainly celebrated in Waterdeep, although you could probably integrate it into other settlements on the Sword Coast if you’re the DM. Those who celebrate this holiday are mainly followers of Gond, the god of invention and innovation.
The day is highlighted by a parade throughout the city, showcasing the various inventions created by Gond’s devotees. A group with an artificer in their midst can make the most of the festivities, but anyone can enjoy themselves.
1Stardew Valley Fair
Stardew Valley
Festivals in farming games are always a bit of a hit or miss. The best ones give you a variety of things to do, while most simply give you a cutscene to look forward to every year. Fortunately, the Valley Fair from Stardew Valley is the cream of the crop.
There are plenty of activities for you to take part in here. You can have your fortune told or compete in the display grange contest, but that’s just the beginning. Astute farmers can also play one of the many minigames at the fair, from roulette to fishing.
